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professordp · 11-26-2008, 01:50 PM

LONDON EXPRESS
March 9, 1957

ERSKINE EDGES LONDON
By Reg Curtiz

In a classic match up between slugger and boxer, a crafty Joe Erskine took a majority ten round decision from tough Brian London. The crowd at Wonderland Arena was highly partisan and cheered London on throughout the contest but offered polite applause when the Welshman Erskine was announced the victor.

From the opening bell, it appeared that Erskine's hand speed and elusive footwork would be too much for Brian. For the first two rounds, Erskine snapped his jab to set London up for stinging combinations.

However, in the third, London started to mount an offensive. He was able to work his way inside where he frequently mauled his opponent. London cut off the ring in the fourth round and forced the Welshman to fight him toe-to-toe.

Although London got the best of Erskine in the round, he might have exerted a little too much energy in the process. As the match progressed, he appeared to tire and often was a stationary target for Erskine's jabs and combos.

By round six, the accumulation of jabs began to take their toll on Brian as his right eye began to swell. Yet he did continue to inflict some damage on Erskine whom he nailed with inside uppercuts. At the end of the match, the swelling of Erskine's face was a clear indication that he was in a brawl.

Both men appeared to be spent in the final two rounds. Much of the sting had gone out of Erskine's jabs and his pace around the ring was much slower. London sort of lumbered slowly around the ring but with heavy arms was unable to surmount any sort of sustained attack.

When the cards were totalled, Harry Egan scored it 97-93 for Erskine. Walter Sinclair also gave the nod to the Welshman at 97-95. Jimmy Clarkson saw it as a 96-96 draw.

The twenty-three year old Erskine will meet Empire champion Henry Cooper in a June title match. Cooper who won the Commonwealth crown last month by stopping Joe Bygraves was set to meet Ingemar Johansson for the European title belt, but the talks feel through. His record now stands at 30-0-1. Already ranked worldwide, Erskine should move up in the standings after this victory.

London, who is the son of former Commonwealth champ Jack London, suffered his second loss which takes his record to 15-2. His only previous defeat was at the hands of Cooper last year. Brian still has a future ahead of him despite the loss. He's only twenty-two and keeps himself in top condition. And he's a real crowd favorite!

11-26-2008, 01:50 PM	#43 (permalink)
professordp All Star Starter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,664 Thanks: 84 Thanked 246x in 145 posts	LONDON EXPRESS March 9, 1957 ERSKINE EDGES LONDON By Reg Curtiz In a classic match up between slugger and boxer, a crafty Joe Erskine took a majority ten round decision from tough Brian London. The crowd at Wonderland Arena was highly partisan and cheered London on throughout the contest but offered polite applause when the Welshman Erskine was announced the victor. From the opening bell, it appeared that Erskine's hand speed and elusive footwork would be too much for Brian. For the first two rounds, Erskine snapped his jab to set London up for stinging combinations. However, in the third, London started to mount an offensive. He was able to work his way inside where he frequently mauled his opponent. London cut off the ring in the fourth round and forced the Welshman to fight him toe-to-toe. Although London got the best of Erskine in the round, he might have exerted a little too much energy in the process. As the match progressed, he appeared to tire and often was a stationary target for Erskine's jabs and combos. By round six, the accumulation of jabs began to take their toll on Brian as his right eye began to swell. Yet he did continue to inflict some damage on Erskine whom he nailed with inside uppercuts. At the end of the match, the swelling of Erskine's face was a clear indication that he was in a brawl. Both men appeared to be spent in the final two rounds. Much of the sting had gone out of Erskine's jabs and his pace around the ring was much slower. London sort of lumbered slowly around the ring but with heavy arms was unable to surmount any sort of sustained attack. When the cards were totalled, Harry Egan scored it 97-93 for Erskine. Walter Sinclair also gave the nod to the Welshman at 97-95. Jimmy Clarkson saw it as a 96-96 draw. The twenty-three year old Erskine will meet Empire champion Henry Cooper in a June title match. Cooper who won the Commonwealth crown last month by stopping Joe Bygraves was set to meet Ingemar Johansson for the European title belt, but the talks feel through. His record now stands at 30-0-1. Already ranked worldwide, Erskine should move up in the standings after this victory. London, who is the son of former Commonwealth champ Jack London, suffered his second loss which takes his record to 15-2. His only previous defeat was at the hands of Cooper last year. Brian still has a future ahead of him despite the loss. He's only twenty-two and keeps himself in top condition. And he's a real crowd favorite!