Hold on Harold!
Harold (Hal) Carter could soon be fighting for the heavyweight title after his upset decision over Eddie Machen. Or perhaps not! Current champ Floyd Patterson is defending his crown next month against number one contender Tommy “Hurricane” Jackson. Regardless of the outcome, there’s no guarantee that Carter would be in line for the next title shot.
If Patterson retains his title belt, his obligation under Universal Boxing Organization (UBO) rules is to have three more fights this year against contenders ranked among the organization’s top five. He’s already satisfied the organization’s requirement that he defend at least once this year against the number one contender by meeting Jackson. You can rest assured that Floyd’s manager, Cus D’Amato, will closely survey the field and match Patterson against the weakest candidate.
In the outside event that Jackson takes the title, there could be a rematch. Although rematches are not automatic under the UBO rules when the title changes hands, Floyd would have the inside track to get a chance to reclaim his crown. If he did, there would obviously be a rubber match. So title could be tied up for the next nine months.
Meanwhile, Carter would have to fight division talent at least twice to retain his ranking.
Let’s face it, he was lucky against Machen. Eddie came into the ring obviously out of shape and fought halfheartedly for most of the bout. Taking nothing away from Harold, it’s a tough argument to make that he’s the best contender in the heavyweight ranks.
Heavyweight Action
Holman Decisions Pastrano
Fighting before a partisan crowd at Chicago’s Marigold Gardens. John Holman
scored an easy ten round decision over New Orleans whiz kid Willie Pastrano. Using a three inch advantage in height and nearly twenty pounds in weight, Holman was able to bull Willie around the ring for most of the fight.
Pastrano was not particularly aggressive and relied upon his bicycle in an effort to keep Holman at bay. Unfortunately, the light-hitting Willie lacked the power to punish his incoming opponent. By the end of the eighth round, Pastrano appeared to tire and took an early Holman hook for a ticket to the canvas for an eight count.
In the end, Holman’s victory was the result of his size advantage and not necessarily his superior boxing skills. Pastrano’s loss points is just another reminder of a serious problem in the sport. Today’s boxers are bigger and stronger than they were a generation ago, and they’ll be even bigger and stronger in the future. The days of a successful heavyweight tipping the scales at 185 are quickly coming to a close. The UBO needs to copy the European model and create a world cruiserweight division.
Cooper Stops Bygraves in Ten to Capture British Crown
English fan favorite, young Henry Cooper, rose in the heavyweight ranks by taking the British Empire title from Jamaican-born Joe Bygraves via a tenth round TKO at London’s Earls Court. Cooper dominated most of the contest by pounding Bygraves to the head and body with crippling crosses and lethal left hooks.
Ironically, Cooper, who has a reputation as a bleeder, left the ring intact and drew blood early in the match with a sharp hook that opened a nasty gash under Bygraves’s eye. Throughout the remainder of the bout, the cut continued to bleed and was a distraction for the Jamaican. Nevertheless, Cooper’s powerful hooks dominated Bygraves attention.
After taking a rather severe beating for nine rounds, Bygraves barely made it off his stool at the start of the tenth frame. Thirty seconds into the frame, a hard Cooper cross sent him to the canvas for a tough eight. Joe was obviously in no condition to continue, and referee Wally Blum quickly stopped the action after Cooper unleashed hard combinations that found their mark.
Johnson Keeps Golden State Crown With Twelve Round Decision Over Vargas
Young Jack Johnson picked up an easy twelve round decision over tough Reuben Vargas in a successful defense of his California state title belt. The outcome was based more on a difference in size rather than one based upon skill. The game but smaller Vargas gave up five inches and forty pounds to his opponent.
Vargas, who is a protégé of former champ Rocky Marciano, attempted to emulate his mentor’s style and fight Johnson inside. Johnson, who moves well for a big man, was able to keep Reuben at a distance with effective jabs and accurate crosses. Vargas did hurt Young Jack a few times but was unable to take advantage of the situation.
Johnson had kept his state title on ice for quite some time and came close to losing it for failure to defend. Shortly after his victory, the champ was informed by California state boxing officials that he must put his crown on the line against Roger Rischer no later than mid April or the title will be declared vacant.
The Grapvine
Lone Star state phenom, Roy Harris will face tough Willi Bessmanoff next month. A win for the Cut and Shoot slugger might propel him into the rankings. Speaking of Texas, keep your eye on Houston’s young Cleveland “Big Cat” Williams. He’s big, strong, and has a killer punch. Big Cat’s only twenty-three but already has more than six years in as a pro. He’ll be facing veteran Frankie Daniels on the Jackson-Patterson undercard next month. An impressive win could take him far.
UBO president Hans Reuter and Cus D’Amato appear to be on a collision course, and you can expect things to come to a head for the year ends. The UBO was established in large part in response to D’Amato’s efforts to have his champ fight selective (read easy) opponents (read Pete Rademacher) while ignoring deserving (read tough) contenders. Expect Cus to use every trick in the book to keep the heavyweight crown on Patterson’s head. Let’s see how President Reuter reacts!!!
See you next month with a ringside account of the Patterson-Jackson fight!