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1922 HW Title Bouts

It took a bit longer than I would have liked, but finally wrapped up 1922 action so this starts the year-end reports, and 1922 saw some few familiar faces reclaiming their positions as World Champs -- including the HW Division.

WBA

Harry Wills CH (39-3-1) vs Billy Miske #3 (30-10-1)

Wills holds a UD 10 win over Miske in a prior bout; Billy, the reigning NABF Champ, scored wins over Moran and Brennan in his last two efforts to secure the title shot.

Wills looks sharp early, taking round one. Miske's left eye starts swelling as Wills' long-range attack repeatedly finds its target. Wills moves inside in round two, punishing the St. Paul Thunderbolt with a huge hook. Both work outside in round three, which is a close round. Miske does well in the inside action in round four. Miske works inside in round five, hoping to keep the bout close. Unofficial card has it 49-46, in favor of the Black Panther. Wills is the aggressor in round six, but Miske does well and takes the round. Miske is forced on the defensive again in round 7, and Wills lands another big hook to score well. Round eight, Wills staggers Miske with an uppercut, followed by a straight right; Miske is lucky to last the round. Wills follows up with a dominant round nine, but still no knockdown. Round 10, Miske is willing to mix it up on the inside, and Wills lands a solid combination to deck the challenger. A groggy Miske arises, Wills follows with a second KD, and then finally the bout is stopped. Wills by TKO in 10.

Harry Wills CH (40-3-1) vs Bartley Madden #1 (35-7-3)

Both enter the bout with long win streaks, Wills having won his last 10 while the Irishman has won his last eight. Wills won a prior bout by TKO in 1918.

A solid start by Madden to take round one versus an overly cautious Wills. Both work outside in round two, edge to the Black Panther. Wills follows up with another strong round in the third. Both men move inside, and again Wills dominates. The champ builds a solid lead (49-46) according to the unofficial cards after the first third of the bout. Toe-to-toe action on the inside in round six sees a slight edge for the Irish challenger. Madden continues to connect in round seven, and Wills' left eye starts to swell. Strong defense by Wills in round eight enables him to ward off Madden's assault. Madden suffers a cut nose and some swelling around his right eye. Wills follows up in round nine, as the cuts and swelling worsens. Wills continues as the aggressor in round 10, and the cut is reopened. Wills is ahead (97-93) on the unofficial card headed into the final rounds. Madden tries to step up the attack in round 11, with little success. Not much action in round 12. Madden tries hard, but the cut remains a problem in round 13. A weary Madden tumbles to the canvas from a Wills combination in round 14, and the cut reopens soon thereafter, leading to a late stoppage. Wills by TKO in the 14th.

Harry Wills CH (41-3-1) vs Jack Dempsey #1 (37-3-1)

Finally, in the last bout of the year, it's the third meeting of these two great fighters, a rematch of the 1918 bout when Dempsey took the title but also a 1920 USBA title bout won by Wills. Dempsey has won his last seven (all by KO) while Wills has remained unbeaten (11 in a row) since that title loss to Dempsey. So, this third bout will be the rubber match between the two.

Good action in the opening round, slight edge to the Champ. The Manassa Mauler steps up the pace on the inside, dominating the action to take round two. Wills' right eye is already starting to puff up. Dempsey persists in his inside attack in round three, but Wills battles back and holds his own in a close, even round. Both men start slugging away from the outside in round four, with Wills being more aggressive -- another close, good action round. Wills tries to pressure Dempsey on the inside in round five, but without success. The Manassa Mauler leads (49-47) on the unofficial cards after five. The Black Panther rebounds with a strong round six. Dempsey steps up his attack, landing some telling blows to take round seven. Wills manages to stay afoot after taking some more pounding from the aggressive Dempsey in round eight. After an even round nine, Wills gets much more aggressive in round 10, and he is rewarded when a well-timed uppercut catches Dempsey and forces the challenger to cover up. Still, it's 97-95 Dempsey on the unofficial card as the bout enters its final stages. Wills is noticeably tiring now, but withstands another assault by Dempsey in a close round 11. Dempsey unleashes some heavy leather in round 12, dropping Wills to his knees. The Manassa Mauler's killer instinct kicks into overdrive, scoring a second KD with a huge combination and finally finishing Wills with his third knockdown of the round. Dempsey by TKO 12 to regain the title.

NABF: Miske defended versus aging ex-Champ Sam McVey, avenging an earlier loss when he caught the aging vet with a huge uppercut to score a fifth round KO. It turned out to be McVey's final hurrah as he hung up the gloves for good after this bout.

USBA: Lots of action as ex-Champ Dempsey challenged George Godfrey, taking the belt with a fifth round TKO featuring two knockdowns. Youthful Bob Roper became Dempsey's next victim, overwhelmed by the Manassa Mauler in a third round TKO. Dempsey then beat up on Fred Fulton, scoring a first round TKO with just one second left in the opening stanza. Veteran "Joplin Ghost" Jeff Clarke put up a brave fight, lasting into the late rounds versus Dempsey before finally succumbing after a KD in round nine and then suffering a KO in the 10th.

CBU: Joe Beckett defended versus New Zealander Albert Pooley. Pooley couldn't get on track and Beckett got off to a strong start to register an easy TKO 3 win.

GBU: Beckett defended this belt versus youthful British hope "Fainting" Phil Scott, who was making his initial title bout appearance. Beckett battled through a cut over his left eye to score a narrow MD 12 verdict versus his youthful opponent in a bruising battle featuring two sluggers.

EBU: Bartley Madden did not defend the EBU belt in 1922, and he risks being stripped if he does not defend it versus a suitable challenger in 1923.