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1927 FLY Title Bouts

WBA

Frankie Genaro CH (22-7) vs Pancho Villa #4 (28-6-3)

It's a battle matching the aging ex-Champ with the new Champion, Genaro, who scored a UD 15 win over Villa to take the title for the first time back in 1925.

Genaro looks sharp early, repeatedly beating Villa to the punch in round one. Better round for the Filipino in round two, with both men staying on the outside, still a slight edge for the Champ, Genaro. Villa moves inside in round three and takes the round. Genaro then takes charge, moving inside to take round four. The two stand toe-to-toe in round five, essentially an even round. The unofficial scorer likes Villa at this point (48-47) although it could easily be scored the other way. Genaro dominates the action in round six, pressing forward on the inside. Both men take a breather and round seven sees a much slower pace, a toss-up scoring-wise. Villa tries to press the Champ in round eight, again another even round. Slight edge for the Champ as the two trade blows from the outside in round nine. Both men move in close in round 10, and it's a good action round, with Villa sustaining a cut over his left eye. The unofficial card now favors Genaro by one (96-95). Genaro targets the cut in round 11, but Villa hangs on. Another close round in the 12th as Villa seems noticeably tired at this point. Villa is the aggressor in round 13, again another round that seems too close to call. A game but weary Villa presses forward in round 14, scoring well enough to take the round. Genaro battles back with a strong effort in the final round, withstanding a late surge from Villa. The cut did not seem to be much of a factor, and the close rounds seemed to go to Genaro in the final scoring as he keeps the title via a close but UD 15 (144-142, 144-143, 146-141).

Frankie Genaro CH (23-7) vs Elky Clark #2 (25-5-1)

The two split two prior bouts, both for the WBA title. Clark recovered with a UD 10 win over Lew Perfetti to set up this "rubber match."

A close opening round sees Clark's left eye starting to swell some. Both men work outside in the second, a strong round for the Champ. Clark presses forward in round three, another round with not much to choose between the two. Round four sees Genaro move inside, taking the round by a narrow margin. The two battle on the inside in round five, and Genaro pulls ahead (49-46 according to the unofficial ringside observer although the bout seems a bit closer than that). Clark presses forward on the inside in round six, nailing the Champ with a straight right that forces Genaro to cover up. Clark follows up with a strong round seven, but he is unable to put Genaro on the canvas or in serious difficulty despite a huge effort. There are some sharp exchanges in round eight, and Genaro takes advantage and puts Clark on the defensive. Genaro follows with a strong round nine, pressing the action. Clark is the aggressor in round 10, but Genaro continues to dominate the action. Nice lead for Genaro (97-93 on the unofficial card) heading into the final rounds. Clark continues to press forward, but Genaro has matters well in hand as he maintains his points advantage right through until the final bell. It's no surprise that the judges see the bout the same way, a UD 15 win for Genaro (146-138, 146-138, 147-137).

Frankie Genaro CH (24-7) vs Lew Perfetti #8 (19-5-1)

No prior meetings, Genaro has now won his last three while Perfetti earned his first title shot with a UD 10 over Alex Burlie.

The usual feeling out process in round one sees the Champ break out in front. A listless round two as both men stay outside and throw little leather. Perfetti's inside pressure is neutralized by a very effective jab from Genaro. The Champ moves inside and takes control of the bout with a strong round four. Perfetti comes out slightly ahead in the inside battle in round five. The unofficial scorer has Genaro well ahead (50-46) at this point. Perfetti starts pressing the action on the inside in round six, but Genaro is still winning the round. More of the same in the middle rounds, as Genaro continues to land the more effective blows, widening his lead. By round 10, Perfetti -- who has been the aggressor -- is already starting to run out of gas. Genaro maintains a comfortable lead on the unofficial card (98-94) after the first 10. Perfetti has a good round while continuing to press the attack in round 11. The Champ steps it up to take round 12, then retreats into a defensive shell the rest of the way. No knockdowns, and it goes into the books as a routine UD 15 win for Genaro (146-141, 146-140, 145-141).

Frankie Genaro CH (25-7) vs Jimmy Wilde #6 (51-11-4)

Genaro takes on the ex-Champ Wilde, who is nearing the end of his career. The two have not met before, and the bout is billed as a final hurrah for the former Champ who last held the title in 1921.

Genaro gets off to a strong start, taking round one but Wilde holds his own as the two trade long-range blows in round two. Wilde tries to move inside in round three, but he takes a beating as his right eye starts to puff up as a result of the Champ's repeated countershots. Genaro presses the attack on the inside in round four, another strong round for the Champ. Both men trade blows on the inside in round five, and Wilde nails Genaro with a big uppercut that staggers the Champ to take the round, but Genaro has a slight lead (49-47 on the unofficial card) at this point. Wilde becomes the aggressor in round six, big round for the Champ. More of the same as Wilde presses forward in round seven, which turns out to be a relatively even round. The eighth round sees the action slow, as both men stay outside. Wilde is starting to tire already. Round nine, edge to the Champ who is taking a more defensive-minded posture now. Wilde continues to battle in round 10, but once again the Champ has the best of the action and carries a large lead (98-93 on the unofficial card) into the final five rounds. Wilde continues to give it his best, but Genaro keeps him at bay in rounds 11, 12 and 13. The Champ appears to be well on his way to a lopsided victory when, in round 14, he is called for a series of low blows -- and the ref, Cavanaugh, disqualifies Genaro and awards the DQ win and the title to Wilde.

Jimmy Wilde CH (52-11-4) vs Emil Paluso #15 (17-7-1)

First meeting of the two, as Wilde travels to New Orleans to take on Paluso.

Slow start by Wilde in the opening round, but he comes on strongly in round two, dominating the action from the outside. Wilde moves inside in the third round, but Paluso defends well, taking the round. Edge to the challenger who takes the fight to Wilde in round four. Toe-to-toe action in round five favors the Champ, but the unofficial ringside observer has Paluso in front (49-46) at this point. Wilde steps up the pressure in round six, staggering Paluso with a big hook and, all of a sudden, the challenger is in big trouble. Wilde continues to pour it on, piling on pressure relentlessly until the ref calls a halt. Wilde by TKO 6.

NABF: Willie LaMorte started 1927 with this belt, and he defends against Pinky Silverberg. LaMorte has a cut sliced open on his forehead, and the fight appears to be very close headed into the final rounds, when the cut becomes unmanageable. Silverberg then takes the belt via a TKO 12 (late cuts stoppage). He travels to Havana to defend versus the talented Cuban, Black Bill, and finds himself in trouble, with a swollen eye to show for his efforts, after the first five rounds. Black Bill goes on to a UD 12 win to take the title.

USBA: Three USBA title bouts took place during the year. Newboy Brown defends versus veteran Johnny McCoy, and McCoy falls behind early and finds it difficult to battle back -- strong UD 12 win for Newsboy Brown. Next up is a strong challenge from the youthful Fidel LaBarba, who recovers from some early difficulty with a strong finish to notch a UD 12 win to take the belt. LaBarba then takes on Young Zulu Kid, overcoming an early cut to post another UD 12 win to keep the USBA title heading into 1928.

CBU: One defense during the year by Jimmy Wilde, who takes on Kid Socks, putting his opponent on the canvas in round seven en route to a UD 12. Later in the year, the belt becomes vacant after Wilde captures the WBA title.

GBU: No bouts for this title in 1927, as Kid Socks keeps the title for another year.

EBU: Wilde did not defend the title in 1927, vacating it along with the CBU title after winning the WBA title. Late in the year, Kid Socks was matched with Italian Johnny Vacca for the vacant belt. A wild overhand right from Socks puts Vacca down in early in the bout, but the Italian "Midget Organ Grinder" battles back late in the bout, with Socks taking a narrow but UD 12 win.

OPBF: Last but not least, aging former Champ Pancho Villa hung onto the OPBF belt for another year, defending it against countryman Young Dencio, whom he put down in the opening round, coasting to a UD 12 win after a game effort by Dencio.