[JCWeb]

Thanks. Lee, the write-ups add a bit of time to running the Universe but it's a good way to keep track. Now on to the MW Division, where the WBA title changed hands twice during 1913:

WBA Title Bouts

Cyclone Johnny Thompson CH (33-10) vs Frank Mantell #9 (23-5-3)

No prior meetings. EBU Champ Mantell came in winning his last four, and it is his first try for the WBA title. Thompson has won his last five bouts, so something is bound to give ...

Mantell opens a cut on Thompson's forehead midway through round 2. Thompson recovers to dominate the third. The cut is reopened in the fourth and, despite Thompson's protest, the bout is stopped. Frank Mantell is the new WBA champ via a TKO 4 (cuts stoppage).

Frank Mantell CH (24-5-3) vs Billy Papke #1 (26-3-1)

Mantell takes on a tough challenger in the ex-Champ, Papke, who is the heavy favorite, based on his two wins in their prior meetings back in 1911.

Round one, good start for both, even round. Round 2, Mantell stays on the outside, another close round. Round 3, the Illinois Thunderbolt decides to be more aggressive, landing combinations and generally taking the fight to the German. Round 4, Mantell has no response to Papke's relentless attack on the inside. Round 5, a good action round as the Champ gets in a few shots before Papke takes charge, dominating the action late in the round -- swelling is noticeable now around Mantell's left eye. Mantell changes tactics, switching to the inside in round 6 but it only means more punishment as he's forced to cover up near the end of the round. Papke follows up with an all-out assault in round 7 but the German gamely hangs on, but it's Papke's round for sure. Round 8, a big hook scores for Papke near the end of the round. Round 9, Papke breaks through, flooring Mantell twice, first with a combination and again near the end of the round. No KDs in round 10 but a fearful beating administered by Papke. Papke steps off the gas a bit in the later rounds, but still manages two more KDs in the 14th en route to a decisive UD victory. Papke by UD 15 (148-134, 150-134, 149-133).

Billy Papke CH (27-3-1) vs George "KO" Brown #3 (19-3-1)

First meeting of the two. Brown has won his last three, including the USBA title clash with ex-Champ Thompson. (I go with his real first name, George, to distinguish him from a LW by the same nickname, Knockout Brown.) Papke, once again the heavy favorite, has won six in a row.

Round one, Papke takes charge right from the start, moving inside to establish control. Round 2, Brown is lured to the inside, and Papke bombs away from the outside, repeatedly getting off first. A series of big blows staggers Brown, and the ref quickly steps in to stop it. Papke by TKO 2.

NABF: Aging vet Stanley Ketchel starts the year with this belt and he defends against George Chip. Chip starts well, but Ketchel quickly takes control in round 2, ending with a KO. Next up is Jeff Smith, a top young contender who compiled a 17-1 mark coming into the bout with Ketchel. Ketchel lands a big hook to stagger Smith in round one, who covers up but manages to stay on his feet. But a cut opens above Ketchel's right eye early in the 2nd, and by round four it is too severe to continue. Smith takes the crown via TKO 4 -- bad break for Ketchel. Smith then defends the belt versus "Buffalo Iron Man" Al Rogers, who came into the bout with an impressive win over former NABF champ Frank Klaus. Smith staggers Rogers in round 4 and puts him on the canvas in the 8th. Rogers lands some good shots in the 9th but Smith hangs on for a UD 12 win. (115-110, 114-111, 115-110)

USBA: Billy Papke defended the belt versus Al McCoy, catching his opponent early and winning via a TKO in the third to set up the WBA title shot. The belt was then vacated and Cyclone Johnny Thompson and George (KO) Brown meet for the vacant title. Brown presses the attack to build an early lead, then thwarts a comeback bid by Thompson in an action-packed 9th round. Brown wins it by UD 12 (117-112, 117-112, 116-113)

CBU: Aussie Les Darcy takes the belt from TC Quinton Wade, ending it with a big uppercut for a KO 4 win. He then defended against Jake "Brooklyn Dancing Master" Ahearn, the GBU titleholder, scoring two knockdowns en route to a surprisingly close UD verdict for Darcy (114-112, 115-111, 114-112) to keep the Maitland Wonder's unbeaten mark intact.

GBU: Ahearn defended the belt he won in 1912 agains the only viable contender, TC Quinton Wade, who is little more than a punching bag for the real-life contenders now. Ahearn catches Wade early for a 4th round KO.

EBU: Mantell vacated the belt after winning the WBA title, and it was two veteran former EBU champs, Paddy Levin of Ireland and Kid Locke of Italy, who battled it out for the vacant belt. Levin builds up an early lead and a late rally by Locke falls short. Levin by UD 12 (118-113, 115-114, 116-113). Then Jake Ahearn of the UK challenges for the title, and the result is a close bout, no knockdowns. Levin tires early and Ahearn winds up as the new EBU champ via a SD 12 (117-112, 113-115, 116-113).