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1922 FW Title Bouts

WBA

Johnny Kilbane CH (47-10-4) vs K. O. Mars #5 (28-13-2)

This is the second meeting of the two, Kilbane winning by a UD 10 back in 1916. Mars is coming off a loss to Bud Ridley for the NABF title.

After a close opening round, it is a slow, cagey start by both boxers in round two, with the Champ pulling ahead on points by a slight margin. Kilbane moves inside in round three, but this time the edge goes to the Challenger. Mars works inside in round four, but Kilbane bounces back with a strong round. Kilbane scores well in the inside action in round five, and he has a good lead (49-46) after five, according to the unofficial scorecard. Mars does well as both stay outside in round six. Kilbane dominates round seven, and Mars suffers a severe cut arove his left eye in addition to showing signs of swelling about his right eye. Things worsen for the challenger, as Kilbane dominates the action in round eight. The cut is reopened in round nine, and it proves to be a challenge for Mars' cornermen for the rest of the bout. Kilbane maintains control, and the cut results in a late stoppage. Kilbane by TKO 13 (cut).

Johnny Kilbane CH (48-10-4) vs Bud Ridley #1 (27-2)

First meeting of the two, and the highly touted youthful challenger who is coming off seven straight wins is given a good chance to end Kilbane's reign at the top.

Kilbane looks sharp early, taking round one and dominating the outside exchanges in round two. Ridley tries to press the Champ on the inside in round three, but the edge goes to Kilbane. Round four, Ridley continues to press, putting Kilbane on the defensive -- and the Champ's right eye starts to swell. Kilbane still holds the edge after five, and he reasserts himself by working inside to regain control in round six. There is some close-in, toe-to-toe action in round seven, the Champ rakes the head and body of Ridley, staggering the challenger with a huge left hook. More of the same in round eight, which is an even round. Ridley puts Kilbane on the defensive again in round nine, piling up a slight edge to take the round. Ridley continues to press the attack in round ten, and the unofficial card has Ridley pulling ahead by one, 96-95. The fight goes down to the wire in the final rounds, with Kilbane outscoring Ridley in the last three rounds to keep the title in a close, hard fought contest. Kilbane by UD 15 (144-142. 144-141, 145-143).

Johnny Kilbane CH (49-10-4) vs Kid Julian #7 (35-16-8)

It's the fourth meeting of the two, with Kilbane winning all three prior bouts. Julian is coming off a UD win versus Ansel Bell.

Julian gets off to a strong start to take the opening round. Kilbane starts connecting from the outside in round two. Kilbane gains the upper hand in round three, where both men are content to stay on the outside. Both move inside for some good toe-to-toe action in round four, and Julian stays with the Champ in a close, even round. Kilbrane retreats to the outside as Julian continues to apply pressure in round five. (49-47 for Kilbane on the unofficial card after five.) After a close round six, Julian gets more aggressive in the middle rounds and does well to keep the bout close as Kilbane repeatedly finds the range from the outside. The bout remains close into the final rounds, and the outcome remains in doubt until the final bell. The judge's scorecards go Kid Julian's way, and Kilbane's long title reign is at an end. Julian by SD 15 (142-143, 146-138, 143-141).

NABF: Bud Ridley defends versus Patsy Brannigan, and he gets off to a strong start but then is staggered by a Brannigan right in round four. Ridley then unleashes a strong inside attack to dominate the middle rounds. A late rally by Brannigan falls short, and Ridley takes the bout by a MD 12. Then long-time former Champ Abe Attell takes on the youthful Ridley, making it difficult for the younger main, carrying a close bout into the later rounds. In what may be Attell's last hurrah, he captures the NABF title by a relatively close UD 12.

USBA: Brannigan starts the year with the belt, and he defends versus a youthful challenger, Benny "Little Fish" Bass. Bass staggers Brannigan with a big left hook in round three, setting the tone for most of the bout. Brannigan keeps it close, but Bass takes the title via a MD 12. Bass defends versus Chick Sugges, who gets off to a strong start in his first title try. Bass comes only strongly in the middle rounds, and he gradually wears down Suggs to take a UD 12. Next up for Bass is Mike Dundee, who proves to be a tough nut to crack -- Dundee survives a cut below the eye to gradually pile up points and finally takes the belt as the ref steps in due to severe swelling of Bass' left eye. Dundee by TKO 10.

CBU: Aussie Jimmy Hill makes one title defense (his first in over two years), taking on British TC Arthur Bradford. Hill survives a cut above the left eye, and retains the belt with a lopsided UD 12 win.

GBU: Title remains vacant until contenders emerge.

EBU: Belt is held by Criqui, who did not defend in 1922.

OPBF: First FW title fight for the OPBF belt pitted two Filipinos, Johnny Datto and Francisco Flores (Datto still at Pre). Flores suffers an early cut, and Datto appears well on his way to victory when he puts Flores on the canvas in round six. But, as fate would have it, in the very next round Datto injures his hand and cannot continue. Francisco Flores by TKO 7 to become the first OPBF FW title belt holder.