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Villa Gets Rematch
July 24, 1920 -- Uline Arena, Washington, DC -- In one of the main supports for the USBA WW title bout, Filipino FLY prospect Pancho Villa steps up to the world of the 10-rounders, seeking to avenge the only blemish on his 8-1 (6) career record by taking on Little Jeff Smith, who moved to 6-2-1 (2) after prevailing in a prior bout on a controversial foul call.
Round one, Villa works his jab and then lands an uppercut from way outside. Smith backs up; Villa connects with a solid hook to the head. Villa is off target with a left. Smith sneaks in an uppercut, but leaves himself open as Villa pounds a right-left to the head and body. Villa snakes home a jab right before the bell, ending a dominant opening round.
Second round, Villa moves inside, misses with a left. Smith elects to clutch and grab. Villa steps back and hammers a straight right, followed with an uppercut. Smith fires back with a flurry of his own. More clinching, then Villa breaks free to land another hook. Smith's left eye is already exhibiting signs of swelling, so it's another strong round for the Filipino.
Round three, both men are content to work inside. Villa shoots home a right. Smith is short with a leaping shot. Villa rips a hook to the head and piles up enough points to win the round easily.
Round four, Villa is looking for the KO blow. Villa clocks Smith with a hook to the head, followed by a glancing cross. Smith flicks the jab. Villa counters with a cross. Smith misses with the uppercut. Villa's jab is off target, but he follows up with an uppercut right before the bell.
Fifth round, Villa works inside while Smith stays outside. Smith misses with a left. Villa connects with a stinging jab, following up with a straight right that staggers his opponent. A right cross scores for Villa, then Smith shoots a right of his own home. Villa lands a combination right before the bell; at the halfway point, the ringside observer has him well ahead (49-46) in the unofficial scoring.
Round six, more of the same as Villa pressures Smith on the inside. Villa shoots a jab and follows with a strong hook to the body. Smith offers little resistance as Villa continues to dominate, landing to the head and the body and connecting with a devastating right cross. Smith finally responds with a quick uppercut, then Villa winds up the round with another strong cross.
Round seven, Smith tries to get more aggressive but leaves himself open to a big uppercut from Villa. Smith connects with a solid right uppercut. Villa backs Smith into the neutral corner and measures his man with a jab. Smith is warned for holding and hitting. Another strong round for Villa.
Eighth round, Smith is still the aggressor but shows signs of tiring. Smith's jab lacks sting, and Villa counters with an uppercut. Smith absorbs more punishment while Villa sits on his lead, adopting a more defensive posture.
Round nine, Villa lands a lead right. Smith is off target, and Villa piles up more points with a jab followed by a short hook. Smith misses with a combination, and Villa's defense dominates the rest of the round.
Tenth and final round, Villa picks off Smith's feeble jabs and battles off the ropes, continuing to emphasize his superior hand speed and defense. Finally, the bell sounds, and the decision comes as no surprise.
It's a whitewash! (And I don't mean a bad decision). Villa by UD 10, 100-90 on all three cards, to move his career record to 9-1 (6) worth 400 PP.
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