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1921 JLW Report

WBA Title Bout

Eddie Wagner #1 (21-6) vs Johnny Dundee #2 (34-11-2)

Wagner moves down from LW and Dundee moves up from FW as the two meet in the first ever WBA JLW title bout. First meeting of the two.

Action is slow to develop, and after an even round one, the edge goes to the "Scotch Wop" as Wagner's right eye already is a bit puffy. Round three, Wagner moves inside but makes no impression on Dundee. Dundee dominates the action on the inside in rounds four and five, building a 49-46 lead according to the unofficial ringside observer. Wagner tries to apply pressure on the inside, and makes some progress in rounds six and seven. Dundee hangs on -- despite a strong round nine for Wagner -- and his advantage is 97-93 heading into the final five rounds. At this point, Wagner starts to tire, and Dundee coasts to a relatively easy win in a bout with no knockdowns. Dundee by UD 15 (149-137. 149-137, 148-138).

Jan 1922 JLW Division Profile

Total: 8 RL: 5 TCs: 3

RL by Career Stage:
Prime - 2
Pre - 3
Beginning - 0 (0 New)

Jan 1922 Rankings

Champ: Johnny Dundee 35-11-2 (11) (800)
1. Eddie Wagner 21-7 (13) (777)

Comments: Dundee took the initial JL title bout after failing twice in 1921 versus FWs (dropping a MD to O'Keefe and a TKO to Julian) while Wagner had wins over two lesser LWs heading into the bout. Both will remain at Prime for awhile.

Prospects: Jack Bernstein has run up a 11-0 (4) record, all versus TCs. Mike Ballerino, who is off to a 10-0 (4) career start, counts two LW prospects, Joe Ryder and Sammy Vogel, among his victims. Tod Morgan went 6-0 (5) in his first year as a pro.

Looking Ahead: Could see a FW like Steve "Kid" Sullivan move up to challenge Dundee; also, LWs such as George "KO" Chaney and Sid Barbarian are likely to emerge as challengers. No newcomers for 1922, although LW Sid Terris (who debuts in 1922) could wind up competing in this fledgling division.

[JCWeb]

1921 FW Title Bouts

WBA

Ansel Bell CH (21-5-3) vs Johnny Kilbane #1 (43-10-4)

It is the first ever WBA title bout staged in Panama, and it's the first meeting of the two -- Kilbane is coming off KO wins over Johnny Dundee and Eddie O'Keefe.

Action is slow to develop in round one, with a slight edge to the Champ. Both work on the outside in round two, and Kilbane gains the upper hand. "Kid Bullet' (Bell) gets more aggressive in rounds three and four; Kilbane holds his own but sustains a cut above his left eye in round four. Kilbane manages to maintain the lead while protecting the cut, and he holds a 50-47 edge on the unofficial card after five. Bell gets more aggressive, tries targeting the cut, but Kilbane holds his own in the middle rounds and carries a 98-94 lead into the final few rounds. Kilbane does a good job of defending and protecting the cut, hanging on to register a SD 15 win (142-143, 145-140, 146-139) as the one judge going for Bell seemed overly influenced by champion and hometown bias.

Johnny Kilbane CH (44-10-4) vs Lee Johnson #18 (24-19-3)

Kilbane, having regained the belt, chooses an "safe" first defense versus Lee Johnson, whom he defeated in 1918 via a UD 12 for the USBA title.

Kilbane seizes the edge from the initial bell and pounds out an early points lead. In round three, he slices open a cut above the left eye of the Challenger. Johnson tries to fight back, bit a combination from Kilbane forces him to cover up at the end of round five. Kilbane continues to dominate in the middle rounds, and the cut -- which is ruled an accidental butt -- worsens and it goes down as a UTD 10 (89-81, 88-82, 89-81) in favor of Kilbane as the bout goes to the scorecards after nine.

Johnny Kilbane CH (45-10-4) vs Patsy Brannigan #2 (30-12-5)

Two veterans square off, with Kilbane holding a 2-1 career edge while Brannigan has won his last three to set up this title contest.

Round one is an even round, with little action. The Champ holds a slight edge in the second round in the outside action in round two. Brannigan counters by fighting inside in round three, another even round. Rounds four and five are also close, edge to the Champ. Brannigan steps up the pressure into the middle rounds, but Kilbane's defense is solid. Brannigan has his biggest round in the eighth, but Kilbane maintains his points edge, 99-93 (unofficially) with five rounds left. Brannigan battles hard down to the wire, but no knockdowns. The issue is in doubt until the scorecards are read, due to a large number of close rounds. Kilbane escapes with a MD 15 (146-142, 144-144, 146-142) to keep the belt.

Johnny Kilbane CH (46-10-4) vs Eugene Criqui #1 (36-7-5)

Criqui is trying to regain the title (he lost a UD 15 to Kilbane in 1915) for the fourth time.

Both men are active in round one, Kilbane lands a short hook and outscores the Frenchman. Criqui applies pressure on the inside to take round two. Criqui continues his aggressive approach in the third, and Kilbane regains his composure to keep the round close. Kilbane tries working inside in round four, gaining the upper hand. Both work outside in round five, another close one; the ringside observer has the Champ up 49-48, a razor-thin margin. Criqui battles on the inside, but the Champ takes round six from long distance. Round seven Kilbane times his counters, flooring Criqui with a short, clean hook and then following up with a second KD in round seven. Kilbane can't finish his man as Criqui rallies to take round eight. Criqui lands some strong shots in round nine, and Kilbane is cut under the left eye. Criqui targets the cut and presses forward; Kilbane carries a solid but not unsurmountable 97-94 edge into the final rounds. Criqui makes some headway in round 12, but strong defense by Kilbane enables him to keep the belt. Kilbane by UD 15 (144-141, 145-139, 143-141).

NABF: KO Mars and Mike Dundee are matched together for the belt vacated by Bell. Dundee suffers an early cut but he rallies to catch Mars with a strong shot for a KD in round 9. However, a round later, the cut worsens and causes a 10th round stoppage -- TKO for Mars. Mars then defends versus ex-Champ Bell, and Mars escapes with a draw to keep the belt after suffering a severe cut midway through the bout. Finally, USBA Champ Bud "Little Dempsey" Ridley challenges for the NABF belt, and Ridley pounds out a decisive UD 12 win as Mars is cut and battered about the left eye.

USBA: Ridley and Eddie O'Keefe meet for the belt vacated by Kilbane. Ridley stops O'Keefe with a strong hook for a KO in round 9. Vincent "Pepper" Martin is Ridley's first challenger, and Martin is disposed of early, a TKO in round two, after a whirlwind assault by Ridley. Ridley then takes on Mike Dundee, building a solid points lead before finishing Dundee off late in the bout -- KO 11 for Ridley. Ridley steps up to take the NABF title, and veterans Brannigan and O'Keefe stage a close bout for the vacant belt. After a tight defensive struggle with no KDs, Brannigan emerges the victor via a SD 12.

CBU: Jimmy Hill holds this title, which is once again inactive (not too many challengers out there).

GBU: No action, the title remains vacant.

EBU: Criqui defends versus Italian vet Kid Julian in an action-packed bout. A cut is opened above the right eye of the challenger in round two. Kid Julian is cut above the other eye in round seven. Criqui then puts Julian down in barrage of blows in round seven, but a round later Julian turns the tables and puts Criqui on the canvas. Julian can't finish, and the cut is reopened -- this time it's too severe to continue. Criqui by TKO 9 (cut).

[JCWeb]

Jan 1922 Division Profile

Total: 98 RL: 56 TCs: 42

RL by Career Stage:
End - 1
Post - 3
Prime - 16
Pre - 23
Beginning - 13 (12 New)

Rated: 23
800+: 7
500+: 14
200+: 22

Jan 1922 Rankings (Perf Pts and Changes from Last Year in Parens)

Champ: Jimmy Kilbane 47-10-4 (12) (1196) (+1)
1. Eugene Criqui 36-8-5 (15) (1035) (+1)
2. Bud Ridley 25-2 (15) (1024) (+5)
3. Patsy Brannigan 31-13-5 (9) (1023) (+2)
4. Ansel Bell 22-6-4 (13) (972) (-4)
5. K. O. Mars 28-13-2 (7) (922) (+1)
6. Eddie O'Keefe 41-17-3 (19) (892) (NC)
7. Steve Sullivan 29-13-3 (7) (793) (+1)
8. Abe Attell 72-9-4 (26) (759) (+4)
9. Jimmy Hill 34-15-2 (2) (709) (NC)
10. Kid Julian 34-15-7 (11) (699) (+4)

Comments: All at Prime, except Attell who has finally hit End career stage. Kilbane, who has one more year at Prime, won four title bouts in 1921 to push his win streak to six. Criqui lost his WBA title bid, but won three other fights, one for the EBU belt and a UD 10 over Mike Dundee in addition to a DQ win over Vincent Martin. Ridley captured the NABF belt after winning the USBA title to extend his winning streak to seven. Brannigan won four of five bouts in 1921, defeating O'Keefe in a SD and earning a MD over Hill. Bell lost the title, and his only win in 1921 was a UD 10 over Battling Reddy. K. O. Mars registered a win, loss and a draw, all in title fights, to maintain his status as a top contender. O'Keefe went 2-2 in 1921, scoring MD wins over Steve Sullivan and Johnny Dundee but lost to Ridley and Brannigan in title bouts. Sullivan also struggled, winning versus Francisco Flores (UD 10) but dropping a MD to O'Keefe. Attell returned to the top ten with wins over Suggs, Danny Edwards, and Flores. Hill, lacking CBU challengers, won a UD over Ames but dropped a MD to Brannigan. Rounding out the top ten is Kid Julian, who TKO'd Johnny Dundee and scored a UD 10 over Leo Johnson to move up, despite the EBU title loss to Criqui.

Other Notables: Johnny Dundee, ranked #3 in the prior year, moved up to capture the JLW title. Mike Dundee fell from #10 to #12, defeating Lee Johnson in a UD but losing to Criqui and Mars to drop his record to 21-4 (16). Top debutant in the rankings at #11 is Andre Routis, who held Attell to a draw and kept his unbeaten record intact; he added a SD over Chick Suggs to numerous TC wins to go 16-0-1 (10). Vincent "Pepper" Martin pounded out a KO 1 over Danny Edwards, but lost to top-ranked contenders Criqui and Ridley to wind up at #13. Danny Edwards dropped all three bouts and wound up the year at #14, one ahead of Danny Kramer, who debuts at #16, sporting a 14-2 (8) record with an impressive KO 1 over Willie Ames but setbacks to Benny Bass and Leo Johnson prevented further progress.

Prospects: Benny Bass is one bout away from a ranking, as he scored a UD over Kramer and TKOs over Charlie Beecher and Pete Zivic to go 14-0 (9). Filipino Johnny Datto has downed 11 TCs plus Aussie Mike Flynn to get off to a flying 12-0 (4) start. Beecher won his first 12 before losses to Bass and Babe Herman dropped him to 12-2 (5). Elino Flores suffered a TKO loss to veteran Ty Cobb, dropping to 12-1 (6). Babe Herman recovered from a DQ loss to a TC with wins over Beecher and Louis Kaplan to wind up the year at 12-1 (8). Kaplan registered a UD over Vierra coupled with the loss to also wind up the year at 12-1, with 7 KOs. Pete Zivic suffered KO losses to Bass and Al Corbett and ends the year at 10-2-1 (5). Young Johnny Brown, a UK fighter, went 10-0 (7) versus all TC opposition. Corbett lost only to Red Chapman, and the KO over Zivic pushed his record to 10-1 (9). Chapman wound up at 9-2 (3) after suffering his second loss to Carl Duane. Duane kept his unbeaten skein going, winding up 8-0 (6). Ditto for Canadian Leo Roy, whose career is off to a 8-0 (4) start. "Wyoming Cowboy" Eddie Anderson stands at 7-0 (5). Al Foreman and Jose Lombardo have had identical 6-0 (5) starts. "Honeyboy" Dick Finnegan kept his slate clean at 6-0 (3), and Joey Sangor won his first three to go 3-0 (2).

Retirements: Five FWs hung up the gloves in 1921, not counting Jem Driscoll who is listed in the LW report.

Frankie Ellis (NZL) 1912-21 23-16 (5) No Titles Highest Rank: 13
Percy Cove (CAN) 1905-21 36-31-2 (10) CBU Champ Highest Rank: 4
Jimmy Walsh (USA) 1904-21 37-24-5 (8) WBA Champ
Grover Hayes (USA) 1901-21 45-24-3 (24) No Titles Highest Rank: 5
Tommy Dixon (USA) 1910-21 19-25-5 (7) No Titles Highest Rank: 17

Looking Ahead: Ridley appears to be a strong challenger to succeed Kilbane as WBA Champion. Brannigan, Bell along with Criqui are all likely to remain top contenders. Andre Routis appears to be ready to challenge his countryman, Criqui, for the CBU belt. Look for Attell to fade from the limelight after a Hall of Fame career, and Steve "Kid" Sullivan is likely to challenge for the JLW title. Benny Bass appears to be the top young prospect, and a top 10 ranking by the end of 1922 is not out of the question. Johnny Hill of the Philippines and Eddie Shea of the USA lead the ranks of 12 newcomers to division in 1922.

[JCWeb]

1921 BW Title Bouts

WBA

Pete Herman CH (34-3-1) vs Johnny Coulon #1 (45-7-6)

Herman has won 11 in a row since his last loss (in 1918 to Coulon); Coulon enters the bout with two wins and a draw in his last three.

Herman looks sharp early and takes round one. Both men fight outside; Herman dominates action. Herman moves inside but suffers a cut below the right eye in round four. Coulon is suffering, however, as both his eyes show signs of swelling. Herman outslugs Coulon who cannot make progress on the inside in round five. Herman uses his jab effectively, taking round six. Herman continues to pound away, and the swelling around Coulon's eyes worsens, leading to a TKO stoppage. Herman by TKO 10 (swelling).

Pete Herman CH (35-3-1) vs Carl Tremaine #14 (16-1)

Herman agrees to fight Tremaine, the CBU Champ, in Toronto. The Canadian is coming off a UD 10 over EBU titleholder Robert Dastillon.

Herman comes on strong at the end of a close opening round. Tremaine tries his luck on the inside, but Herman dominates the round from the outside. Herman inflicts more punishment in round three, where both men battle away on the inside. Herman continues to pile up points while Tremaine is ineffective. The rest of the bout is fairly routine, and it extends Herman's unbeaten streak to 13. No KDs, Herman by UD 15 (147-138, 147-138, 150-136).

Pete Herman CH (36-3-1) vs Jack Kid Wolfe #9 (27-12-2)

Third meeting of the two, who split two prior bouts; Wolfe handed Herman one of his three losses (via TKO) back in 1914. Wolfe is coming off a USBA title win over Abe Goldstein.

Herman takes a close round one, building to a strong round two from the outside. Wolfe tries to get more aggressive, but Herman's superior hand speed dominates the action and impresses the judges. Wolfe tries to stage a late rally, but in the end the bout is not as close as the unofficial cards showed. Herman by UD 15 (147-140, 148-139, 148-139).

Pete Herman CH (37-3-1) vs Kid Williams #3 (37-11-1)

Rematch of a 1919 draw between the two, except Williams is now at Post, for this fifth bout between these two long-term rivals.

After a close round one, Williams finds Herman's strong defense tough to penetrate. After an even round three, more defense and counterpunching give the Champ the edge in round four. Williams tries to get more aggressive in the middle rounds, with mixed results. Herman piles up the points and coasts in the later rounds to another UD win (145-140, 144-141, 146-139).

Pete Herman CH (38-3-1) vs Philadelphia Pal Moore #10 (43-16-4)

A fifth defense in 1921, and once again Herman faces a familiar rival -- Philly Pal Moore who is 0-3 versus Herman, losing a title match in 1920.

After a quiet opening round, Herman gets to work and slowly builds a points lead. Moore has a strong round four, and keeps it close in round five. Both work inside in round six, a solid one for the Champ. Moore plugs away, keeping the bout close into the late rounds. A strong shot from Herman stuns Moore in round 13. The bout goes the distance with no knockdowns. The scores are surprisingly close: a SD 15 for Herman (145-141, 142-144, 147-139).

NABF: Memphis Pal Moore began 1921 with the belt and defended versus Wolfe, the USBA Champ, by breaking open a close bout by controlling the action in the middle rounds, coasting to a comfortable UD win. Memphis Pal then turned aside a challenge from George Marks, scoring a KD midway through en route to another UD victory. Then Frankie Burns took advantage of a cut above Moore's eye and won via TKO in round 7 (cuts stoppage) to take the belt. Finally, Abe Goldstein got a title shot and took full advantage, pounding out a lopsided UD 12 win to become the new NABF BW Champion. Goldstein then defended late in the year versus Little Jack Sharkey, who suffered swelling and cuts and was not able to contend with Goldstein, enabling Abe to waltz to a UD 12 win.

USBA: Wolfe started with the belt and took on a tough Abe Goldstein. Wolfe nursed an early lead and converted it to a UD 12 win in a close bout. Wolfe then took on veteran Eddie Campi, who started out as the aggressor but tired badly in the later rounds -- Wolfe by UD 12 once again.

CBU: Carl Tremaine did not defend the CBU belt in 1921.

GBU: Brit Joe Fox took on long-time FLY Champ Jimmy Wilde, and Wilde dominated from the start, flooring Fox twice in round five and scoring a 6th round TKO to take the belt.

EBU: Dastillon took on Fox for the belt, unleashing a powerful attack in round 4 that had Fox down three times in the same round for a TKO win.

[JCWeb]

Jan 1922 BW Division Profile

Total: 87 RL: 50 TCs: 37

RL by Career Stage:
End - 0
Post - 7
Prime - 16
Pre - 13
Beginning - 14 (9 New)

Rated: 25
800+: 9
500+: 17
200+: 24

Jan 1922 Rankings (Perf Pts and Changes from Last Year in Parens)

Champ: Pete Herman 39-3-1 (15) (1656) (NC)
1. Memphis Pal Moore 30-9-2 (12) (1015) (+4)
2. Johnny Coulon 47-9-6 (17) (1014) (-1)
3. Charles Ledoux 41-10 (30) (998) (+3)
4. Kid Williams 38-12-1 (17) (985) (NC)
5. Abe Goldstein 21-4-1 (10) (941) (+9)
6. Joe Lynch 23-7 (13) (881) (+7)
7. Jack Kid Wolfe 29-13-2 (8) (873) (NC)
8. Philadelphia Pal Moore 43-17-4 (14) (800) (-5)
9. Little Jack Sharkey 27-9 (12) (792) (+2)
10. Eddie Campi 34-13-3 (16) (782) (-8)

Comments: Herman moves to Post in 1922, joining Coulon, Williams and Campi while the others are at Prime. Herman is unbeaten in the past 3 1/2 years, having won 10 in a row. Memphis Pal Moore suffered the TKO loss to Burns but bounced back strongly with a TKO over Coulon, also downing Fox in a UD to go 4-1 for the year. Coulon began to feel the effects of aging, going 2-2 in 1921, managing wins only against Dastillon and Tremaine, who fighters who did not make the top 10 cut. "Little Apache" Charles Ledoux went 3-0 for the year, scoring KOs over Burns and Williams in addition to a UD 10 over Campi. Williams was active in 1921, fighting five bouts and winning three. He impressed in a one-round KO over Indian Russell and banged out UD 10 wins versus Campi and Burman. Big mover was Abe Goldstein, winner of four of five (including a UD 10 over FLY Jimmy Wilde) en route to winning a NABF crown. Joe Lynch also went 4-1 for the year, losing via DQ to Sharkey, but TKOing Burns in addition to close wins over Campi (SD) and Philly Pal Moore (MD). Jack Kid Wolfe wound up taking three of five, including a MD 10 over Tremaine after several title bout battles. Philly Pal Moore wound up winning just two of five, suffering a shocking first round KO loss to Sharkey; his wins (both UDs) came at the expense of aging vets Biderberg and Al Delmont. Little Jack Sharkey had a seven-bout win streak snapped with his loss to Goldstein, but a MD 10 over Jerome and the KO of Phila Pal Moore caused him to reach the Top 10. Staying in the top group (just barely) was Eddie Campi, who lost in all four of his 1921 outings.

Other Notables: Jimmy Wilde, the GBU BW Champ, is listed in the FLY rankings although he would check in at #11 were he rated here. Frankie Burns slipped two spots to #11, as the TKO 7 over Memphis Pal Moore was overshadowed by his losses, including two defeats at the hands of Joe Lynch. Packey O'Gatty slid four spots to #12, dropping a UD to Joe Burman but winning versus lower ranked guys like Conley and Vince Blackburn. Burman checks in at #13, having won four of five (including UDs versus O'Gatty, Biderberg and a TKO over Dastillon) and losing only to Kid Williams. Dastillon dropped from #9 to #14, winning his EBU defense but dropping all three other bouts to Coulon, Tremaine and Burman; Dastillon's record of 20-19-2 (14) is worth 593 PPs. One spot behind the Frenchman is Carl Tremaine, the CBU Champ, whose career totals are 16-4 (12), worth 567 PPs, losing to Coulon, Herman and Wolfe after starting the year with a UD 10 over Dastillon. Ad Rubidoux debuts at #17, having compiled a 15-2 (14) mark with a strong UD 10 over Frankie Jerome but set back by a TKO loss to Sharkey that snapped a five-bout win streak. Jerome managed a TKO win over Johnny Ertle and wound up the year at 13-3-1 (8) and ranked #19.

Prospects: Brit Johnny Brown has rung up his first 13 opponents, 11 by KO, including a UD 10 versus fellow UK prospect Harry Lake. For Lake, it was his second loss to Brown, which dropped his record to 10-2 (9). Still undefeated is Howard Mayberry of Canada, who has gone 12-0 (11) versus a steady diet of TC opposition. Midget Smith, held to a draw by FLY Elky Clark, checks in at 8-1-2 (3). Bud Taylor, at 9-0 (7) kept his slate clean versus TC opponents. Filipino Pete Sarmiento has a DQ loss to a TC as the only blemish on his 9-1 (8) record. Harold Smith (7-0, 7 KO), Dynamite Murphy (7-0-1, 4 KO), Henny Catena (6-0, 2 KO), Charley Phil Rosenberg (5-0, 4 KO), Bobby Green (5-0, 3 KO), Eddie Martin (4-0, all KO) and Chuck Hellman (4-0, 3 KO) all remained unbeaten. Off to good starts were Tommy Milton (3-0, 3 KO), Bushy Graham (3-0, 1 KO) and Teddy Baldock (1-0, 1 KO).

Retirements: Only one, a former WBA Champ who reached the end of the road.

Al Delmont (USA) 1903-21 48-28-4 (18) WBA Champ

Looking Ahead: Herman's days as WBA Champ are likely to be numbered as he hits Post-Prime in 1922. Memphis Pal Moore and Ledoux are the most logical succesors, but Abe Goldstein and Joe Lynch may also emerge as potential champions. Tremaine may move up, along with Jerome, once they hit Prime. Johnny Brown and Harry Lake are the best long-term prospects for CBU and GBU honors. Panama Al Brown (Panama), Amos Carlin (USA) and Vic Foley (Canada) top the list of nine new BWs set to debut in 1922.

[JCWeb]

1921 FLY Title Bouts

WBA

Jimmy Wilde CH (40-3-1) vs Young Zulu Kid #1 (23-8-3)

Third meeting, the first two bouts ended in KOs for Wilde. Young Zulu Kid is unbeaten (three wins, one draw) since his last clash with Wilde in 1919.

Wilde makes a great start, putting the Kid on the defensive; Kid's left eye is starting to swell by the end of round one. Wilde moves inside but gains only a slight edge in round two. Both work the inside, again to Wilde's advantage in round three. Kid uses the jab to keep Wilde at bay in round four. Wilde regains control of the bout as Kid gets overly aggressive in round five; Wilde is up by 49-46 on the unofficial card after five. Wilde prevails in the toe-to-toe action in round six and he follows up by decking the Kid with an uppercut in the seventh. Wilde continues to press, trying to finish his hurt opponent. Two more KDs for Wilde in round 11, and then he administers the coup-de-grace after another KD in the 12th. Wilde by KO 12 (fifth knockdown finishing the bout).

Jimmy Wilde CH (41-4-1) vs Pancho Villa #1 (14-1)

The rise of Filipino fighter Villa has been well-documented, and he earns a WBA title shot in only his 16th fight.

Villa is unable to establish his jab in round one, slight edge to the Champ. Wilde is the aggressor in round two, landing repeatedly and causing the left eye of Villa to start swelling. Slight edge to Villa in round three, and the challenger keeps the bout close in rounds four and five. Villa comes on strong to take round six, and Wilde is in for a battle. The "Mighty Atom" steps up the attack, and he holds a slight edge heading into the final five rounds. Wilde lands some strong shots to take round 11, but his left eye is starting to swell. Villa is the more accurate puncher in the late rounds, which winds up making the difference. In a huge upset, Villa takes the title with a close UD 15 win (144-141, 144-142, 145-140).

Pancho Villa CH (15-1) vs Joe Symonds #4 (26-11-3)

No prior meetings. It is Symonds' third try for the WBA title belt.

Both fighters look sharp in the early going. Symonds presses forward on the inside to take round two, and Villa suffers a cut above the left eye. After a close round three, Symonds is the aggressor in round four. The cut reopens in round five and becomes a major problem. The ref rules it was caused by an accidental butt, and the stoppage means it goes to the cards after four -- and it's a UTD for Symonds (39-38 on all three cards).

NABF: Young Zulu Kid defended the belt versus veteran Earl Puryear. Kid built a solid points lead but Puryear rallied in the late rounds to make it close; Kid escaped with a SD 12 win. Next up was Johnny Buff, the newly crowned USBA Champ who got off to a strong start, survived a round 6 knockdown, and then outlasted Kid to take a MD 12 win.

USBA: Buff challenged long-time beltholder Frankie Mason, taking charge in the early rounds and then withstanding a late rally from Mason to take a UD 12 verdict.

CBU: Aussie George Mendies began the year with the belt, and he defended versus aging vet Tancy Lee. Mendies decked Lee twice in round one and again in round three, then exploited a serious cut above Lee's eye that led to a 6th round stoppage; TKO for Mendies. Then Mendies faced Joe Symonds, who started well, putting Mendies on the canvas in round three. After a second KD a round later, Mendies gamely tried to battle back, but Symonds hung on to take the UD 12 win. Then Symonds defended versus Lee, who suffered a cut early in the bout that turned into a real slugfest, with Symonds getting there first for a 9th round KO.

GBU: No defenses (belt held by Tanch Lee).

EBU: No defenses (belt also held by Lee).

[Ric915]

Love these year end write ups, Great Stuff JC

[JCWeb]

Jan. 1922 FLY Division Profile

Total: 50 RL: 25 TCs: 25

RL by Career Stage:
End - 0
Post - 1
Prime - 7
Pre - 9
Beginning - 8 (7 New)

Rated: 11
800+: 0
500+: 5
200+: 9

Jan. 1922 Rankings (Perf Pts and Changes from Last Year in Parens)

Champ: Joe Symonds 27-11-3 (17) (620) (+6)
1. Jimmy Wilde 42-5-1 (39) (769) (-1)
2. Pancho Villa 15-2 (8) (619) (new)
3. Johnny Buff 15-3 (7) (562) (new)
4. Young Zulu Kid 24-10-3 (13) (524) (-3)
5. George Mendies 17-4 (16) (391) (-1)
6. Tancy Lee 23-14-2 (11) (384) (-3)
7. Frankie Mason 28-16-1 (18) (360) (-5)
8. Johnny McCoy 18-9 (13) (298) (-3)
9. Little Jeff Smith 7-7-1 (3) (100) (new)
10. Earl Puryear 20-18-2 (4) (20) (-3)

Comments: Lee is at Post; Villa, Buff and Smith at Pre; rest at Prime. Symonds won all four of his bouts during the year, bouncing back from a subpar 1929 with a TKO over Little Jeff Smith before moving up to win three title bouts. Wilde lost two in a row for the first time ever, dropping a UD 10 to BW Abe Goldstein but then TKOing Joe Fox for the GBU BW belt. Villa's rise has been well-documented, as the KO 1 over aging vet Sid Smith set up the WBA title try. Buff made huge strides, winning his last four, including SD wins versus McCoy and Puryear in addition to the USBA and NABF title wins. Young Zulu Kid won one of three during the year, all title bouts. Mendies had an up-and-down year, going 1-1 in the two CBU title bouts. Lee lost both bouts in 1921. Mason dropped the USBA title bout to Buff and suffered a TKO loss to BW Goldstein to go 0-2 for the year. McCoy went 2-3 for the year, the wins coming via TKO over Puryear and a MD versus BW Biderberg ("Louisiana"), but he lost to two other BWs, Frankie Burns and Frankie Conley. Little Jeff Smith debuts, but four straight losses in 1921, three to Filipino Young Dencio, prevented further progress. Puryear continued on a downhill slide, losing four in a row to extend his losing streak to eight in a row.

Prospects: Young Dencio lost only to Villa but scored three wins (two by SD) versus Little Jeff Smith. Dencio finished the year at 11-1-1 (5). Pinky Silverberg kept his slate clean, going 11-0 (6), all versus TCs. UK's Elky Clark compiled a 9-0-1 (8) mark, all wins coming versus TC and the draw coming versus BW Midget Smith. Willie LaMorte (8-0, 7 KOs) and Cuban Black Bill (7-0, 5 KOs) feasted versus TC opposition. Frankie Genaro bounced back from an early loss to wind up 6-1 (6) at year's end. Georgie Rivers got off to a 3-0 (2) career start.

Retirement: Ex-WBA Champ Sid Smith reach the end of his career in 1921.

Sid Smith (UK) 1907-21 27-22 (11) WBA Champ

Looking Ahead: Wilde remains a good bet to regain the title, although Villa and Buff (once they hit Prime) are also going to be strong contenders. Look for Mendies to regain the CBU belt, while Lee is likely to fade from contention. Dencio and Silverberg are the best of the prospects. The thin FLY ranks get a needed boost with nine newcomers in 1922, paced by Newsboy Brown.

[JCWeb]

Finally, here are the PFP Rankings for 1921:

1. Harry Wills, HW (WBA Champ), 1718 (NC)
2. Pete Herman, BW (WBA Champ), 1656 (NC)
3. Bartley Madden, HW (EBU Champ), 1470 (+1)
4. Mike O'Dowd, MW (WBA Champ), 1468 (-1)
5. Jeff Smith, MW, 1367 (new)
6. Panama Joe Gans, MW (NABF Champ), 1328 (+4)
7. Jack Dempsey, HW, 1296 (+1)
8. Llew Edwards, LW (WBA Champ), 1238 (new)
9. Johnny Kilbane, FW (WBA Champ), 1196 (new)
10. Lew Tendler, LW, 1186 (new)

Dropped out from prior year: Art Magirl, WW (was #5)
Sam Robideau, LW (was #6)
Benny Leonard, LW (was #7)
Jack Dillon, LHW (was #9)

Another year in the books. Some ATG fighters in their prime -- notably Dempsey, Greb, Tunney and Benny Leonard -- have had trouble staying at the top. Wills and Herman kept unbeaten runs at the top of their respective divisions. Expect to see Leonard return for another run at the top of the PFP lists, and Dempsey might move up the charts once again as well. Wills, in only his fifth year on the list, is now its senior member. HW and MW (with three members each) are the deepest divisions right now, along with LW (two members on the list).

Will take a brief hiatus before starting in on the 1922 bouts. Will be taking a break on following particular fighters, as Villa, Walker and Loughran have all established themselves as likely title contenders at this point. Will try to finish 1922 by the end of Dec. or early Jan. So, no more updates in for awhile ...

[Lee]

Any big names on the horizon for 1922?

[JCWeb]

... under the "Looking Ahead" section at the end of each division report where I usually mention a few of the higher rated boxers set to debut in each division. Off the top of my head, one 10-rated boxer set to enter the BW ranks is Panama Al Brown.

[JCWeb]

Jan 1922 WW Division Profile

Lee's question caused me to review the last round of reports, and I realized this one didn't get posted; I remember working on it at one point, got interrupted at some point, and it just didn't get posted.

Total: 103 RL: 58 TCs: 45

RL by Career Stage:
End - 2
Post - 10
Prime - 20
Pre - 20
Beginning - 6 (6 New)

Rated: 35
800+: 11
500+: 20
200+: 34

Jan 1922 Rankings (Perf Pts and Changes from Last Year in Parens)

Champ: Ted Kid Lewis 34-12-4 (16) (1172) (+6)
1. Jack Britton 51-12-3 (18) (1177) (+1)
2. Tommy Uren 28-9 (15) (1115) (-2)
3. Albert Badoud 32-12-2 (17) (1112) (+6)
4. Packey McFarland 51-6-4 (25) (1081) (NC)
5. Eddie Shevlin 34-14-4 (13) (1067) (NC)
6. Willie Loughlin 24-7 (17) (1039) (-3)
7. Tommy Robson 27-10-1 (17) (992) (+3)
8. Bermondsey Billy Wells 24-5-1 (13) (913) (-1)
9. Johnny Basham 31-13-3 (13) (892) (-1)
10. Art Magirl 31-6-1 (27) (858) (-9)

Comments: For the first time recent memory, there was no movement in and out of the Top 10 in an established weight class; all these guys were on the 1921 Top 10 list. For 1922, all will be at Prime except for Badoud who will join Magirl at Post-Prime. Ted Kid Lewis won all three bouts in 1921, adding a UD 10 over Shevlin in addition to his two title bout wins. Britton was 3-1 for the year, his only loss the DQ to Loughlin. More recently, he re-established his credentials with a UD 10 over Bermondsey Billy Wells. Uren, who lost the WBA title, scored TKOs over Macario Flores and Magirl to remain a top contender. Badoud won four of five, including three in a row since his loss to Ted Kid Lewis; his non-title wins included a TKO over Piet Hobin and a technical decision versus Johnny Alberts. McFarland won three of four, including TKOs over Holberg and Jack Sparr. Shevlin also went 3-1, his only loss coming versus Ted Kid. Loughlin and Robson each won two of three, both in title bouts. Bermondsey Billy went 2-2 in 1921, scoring a KO over the aging vet, Dixie Kid, but dropping his last two, including a UD to Britton. Basham won two of three, versus lesser opponents like J. Gardner and Evernden. Magirl clung to a top 10 spot despite three straight losses in 1921.

Other Notables: Knocking on the door of the top group is Canadian Frankie Barrieau, who has won his last three (TKOs versus Graves and Sparr and a SD versus Phinney Boyle) but is still about 150 PP behind Magirl. Ray Long, who has compiled an impressive 19-2-1 (6) record, is ranked #13, having won three of four in 1921 but lost in his one title try. Jack Sparr started 16-1 but lost his last two to Barrieau and McFarland to wind up the year ranked #16. One spot behind is George Levine, who TKO'd Georgie Ward but dropped UDs to Alberts and Long. Filipino Macario Flores won his first 15 bouts, but dropped a TKO to Uren and a MD to Summers to wind up at #21 with a 15-2 (7) career start. Belgian Piet Hobin has shown some promise, but had a three-bout win streak snapped with a TKO loss to Badoud; he checks in at #26 with a 18-7-1 (8) record. Finally, Georgie Ward found it rough going after brushing aside TC opponents; he went 1-4 in 1921, dropping all his bouts versus RL opponents, to finish a lowly #31 with a 13-4 (11) mark.

Prospects: Filipino Irineo Flores is one bout away from a ranking, compiling a 13-0-1 (12) career start, the only blemish a draw with Joe Dundee; he impressed in a UD 10 over Dane Frithjof Hansen. Dundee scored a SD over Morrie Schlaifer to wind up the year at 12-0-1 (8). Schlaifer's only loss was to Dundee, and he TKO'd JWW prospect Spug Myers en route to a 12-1 (11) career start. Young Corbett III maintained a perfect start, going 12-0 (6) with wins over Aussie Paul Demsky, Jimmy Jones, and Billy Alger to go with his TC wins. Demsky's loss to Corbett dropped him to 11-2 (10); he had suffered an earlier loss to journeyman Sid Burns. Pete Latzo wound up 1t 11-0-1 (8), after being held to a draw by Jimmy Jones. Jones suffered a SD loss to Corbett as well, so he winds up at 9-1-1 (4). Alger, a Corbett TKO victim, wound up at 9-1 (6). Brit Hamilton Johnny Brown recovered from an early draw with a TC to go 9-0-1 (4). Fellow Brit Alf Mancini is a perfect 8-0 (5) all versus TC opposition, as is American fighter Johnny Adams, who closes the year at 8-0 (4). Tommy Freeman (7-0, 5 KOs), Willie Harmon (5-0, 5 KOs), Jack Zivic (5-0, 4 KOs) and Ted Krache (5-0, 2 KOs) all kept clean slates. Pete August suffered a loss to Krache to wind up at 4-1 (2). Bobby Tracey was TKO'd by Schlaifer and has struggled to a 4-1-1 (1) start.

Retirements: Five WWs, including two ex-WBA Champs, retired in 1921.

Jimmy Gardner (IRL) 1901-21 42-25-6 (16) WBA Champ
Mike Glover (USA) 1908-21 31-22-6 (8) No Titles Highest Rank: 3
Spike Kelly (USA) 1910-21 22-24-1 (12) No Titles Highest Rank: 27
Dixie Kid (USA) 1900-21 56-24-2 (22) WBA Champ
Dave Deshler (USA) 1903-21 33-36-6 (10) No Titles

Looking Ahead: It will be interesting to see how successful Ted Kid will be at keeping the WBA belt, as Britton, McFarland, Shevlin and Loughlin are still top contenders, all in their primes. Uren may also challenge for the WBA belt or perhaps try to lift the CBU title off Bermondsey Wells. Expect to see "Oklahoma Whirlwind" Art Magirl continue his decline, opening up at least one spot in the Top 10 group. Barrieau and Long look like the best bets to fill it, although prospects like Irineo Flores and Young Corbett III appear to have the potential to debut high in the ranks next year. Only six newcomers this year, led by Young Jack Thompson.

[JCWeb]

To further respond to Lee,
the highest ranking new boxers for 1922 will be:

Kid Charol - MW
Young Jack Thompson - WW
Panama Al Brown - BW

All are rated 10s.

[JCWeb]

Although 1922 action just got underway, I would be remiss for not acknowledging the current titleholders at each weight class (year and month of winning such belt and number of successful defenses in parens):

HW
WBA: Harry Wills (Mar. 1921) (2)
NABF: Billy Miske (Dec. 1921) (0)
USBA: George Godfrey (Nov. 1921) (0)
CBU: Joe Beckett (Jan. 1921) (1)
GBU: Joe Beckett (May 1920) (1)
EBU: Bartley Madden (Jan. 1921) (3)

LH
WBA: Battling Levinsky (Mar. 1921) (1)
NABF: Tommy Gibbons (Dec. 1921) (0)
USBA: Gene Tunney (May 1921) (1)
CBU: Harry Reeves (Oct. 1917) (1)
GBU: Jack Bloomfield (Sep. 1921) (0)
EBU: Battling Siki (Dec. 1921) (0)

MW
WBA: Mike O'Dowd (Jul. 1919) (5)
NABF: Panama Joe Gans (Mar. 1920) (5)
USBA: Gordon McKay (Aug. 1921) (0)
CBU: Jake Ahearn (Nov. 1917) (3)
GBU: Frank Moody (May 1921) (0)
EBU: Chic Nelson (Sep. 1919) (3)

WW
WBA: Ted Kid Lewis (Nov. 1921) (0)
NABF: Jack Britton (Aug. 1921) (0)
USBA: Eddie Shevlin (Sep. 1921) (1)
CBU: Bermondsey Billy Wells (Mar. 1920) (1)
GBU: Bermondsey Billy Wells (Jan. 1919) (2)
EBU: Albert Badoud (Oct. 1921) (0)

LW
WBA: Llew Edwards (Jun. 1921) (0)
NABF: Benny Leonard (Sep. 1921) (1)
USBA: Jimmy Dundee (Apr. 1921) (1)
CBU: Herb McCoy (Jun. 1921) (1)
GBU: Phil Bloom (Nov. 1921) (0)
EBU: Vacant

JLW
WBA: Johnny Dundee (Dec. 1921) (0)

FW
WBA: Johnny Kilbane (Mar. 1921) (3)
NABF: Bud Ridley (Nov. 1921) (0)
USBA: Patsy Brannigan (Dec. 1921) (0)
CBU: Jimmy Hill (Mar. 1916) (7)
GBU: Vacant
EBU: Eugene Criqui (Oct. 1918) (3)

BW
WBA: Pete Herman (Mar. 1919) (12)
NABF: Abe Goldstein (Oct. 1921) (1)
USBA: Jack Kid Wolfe (Oct. 1920) (2)
CBU: Carl Tremaine (Dec. 1920) (0)
GBU: Jimmy Wilde (Nov. 1921) (0)
EBU: Robert Dastillon (Jan. 1920) (1)

FLY
WBA: Joe Symonds (Dec. 1921) (0)
NABF: Johnny Buff (Nov. 1921) (0)
USBA: Johnny Buff (Jul. 1921) (0)
CBU: Vacant
GBU: Tancy Lee (Nov. 1915) (2)
EBU: Tancy Lee (Sep. 1918) (0)

Comments: As reflected in the PFP rankings a few posts back, Herman, Wills and O'Dowd who have held the WBA belts for the longest time frame are also among the top PFP performers. With Harry Reeves dropped the GBU LH belt to Bloomfield, FLY Tancy Lee (reigning GBU FLY Champ) becomes the longest-serving title belt holder. Pete Herman has the longest current streak of successful defenses (12) while FW Jimmy Hill of Australia has made the most successful defenses (7) of any title holder of lesser belts.
As mentioned in last year's review of titleholders, it's surprising to see fighters the caliber of Dempsey, Greb, and (until Sept. 1921) Benny Leonard on the outside looking in as far as the list of titleholders is concerned. Expect to see each of these guys look to launch a WBA title challenge sometime in 1922.

[JCWeb]

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.

[JCWeb]

Jan. 1923 HW Division Profile

Total: 185 RL: 107 TC: 78

RL by Career Stage:
End - 9
Post - 20
Prime - 36
Pre - 24
Beginning - 18 (11 New)

Rated: 65
800+: 12
500+: 30
200+: 53

Jan. 1923 Rankings (Perf Pts and Changes from Jan. 1922 in Parens):

Champ: Jack Dempsey 38-3-1 (37) (1645) (+2)
1. Harry Wills 41-4-1 (34) (1644) (-1)
2. Bartley Madden 35-8-3 (14) (1446) (-1)
3. Billy Miske 31-11-1 (19) (1121) (NC)
4. George Godfrey 22-1 (17) (1112) (+3)
5. Bill Brennan 31-12 (23) (1111) (-1)
6. Gene Tunney 25-6-2 (17) (1076) (new)
7. Fred Fulton 29-9 (22) (1023) (-1)
8. Jeff Clarke 42-15-3 (29) (1007) (NC)
9. Paul Samson-Korner 26-5 (21) (920) (+6)
10. Joe Beckett 32-12 (25) (893) (+3)

Comments: Four of these top contenders (Miske, Brennan, Clarke and Beckett) slip into Post in 1923, leaving Dempsey with few new challengers other than Tunney, who has just stepped up from the LH division. The Manassa Mauler has dominated recently, stopping his last eight opponents inside the distance. Wills slips after having an 11-bout win streak snapped by Dempsey. Madden had his 8-bout win streak snapped in the title bout with Wills; his only 1922 win was a UD 10 over Jack Thompson. Miske ended the career of Sam McVey, going 1-1 in two 1922 title tilts. Godfrey recovered from the loss to Dempsey with TKOs over Devere and Flint and a UD 10 over Brennan, who is next in the rankings with 1922 UD wins over LH Tommy Gibbons and an aging McVey. Tunney, the USBA LH Champ, debuted at HW with a UD 10 over aging ex-Champ Langford to emerge as an immediate top contender. Fulton scored a TKO over Devere after his last loss to Dempsey. Clarke had a bit of a career renaissance, scoring a TKO over Firpo and a UD versus Langford but of course was also a Dempsey victim in 1922. Samson-Korner ran his win streak to four, the last two by KO (versus Morris and Pooley) to surge into the top 10. Beckett also went 3-0 in 1922, KOing Langford and Pooley to move up to the top 10 for the first time.

Other Notables: McVey (who was ranked fifth in Jan. 1922), retired. Carl Morris dropped from #9 to #11, losing to Samson-Korner and LH champ Carpentier after a UD over Otto Flint. Flint went winless in three bouts to fall all the way to #17 after holding down the 10th spot at the start of 1922. Bob Roper won three of four bouts, including an impressive KO over Battling Jim McCreary, to wind up at #13 after compiling a 18-1-2 (12) career record (his only loss coming to Dempsey in a USBA title clash). Top newcomer is Tom Heeney of New Zealand, who has racked up 15 wins in a row, good for 19th in the rankings, including KO wins over Squires and Van den Bergh and UDs versus Jack Burke and Sailor Meehan. Veteran Jess Willard battled the effects of aging to score impressive wins over Colin Bell and a KO versus Luis Firpo (opposite of what happened historically) and clings to the #20 spot. Fighting Bob Martin checks in at #22 after a 14-1-2 (11) career start. Al Roberts suffered consecutive losses to Phil Scott and Homer Smith and winds up at #26 with a 15-3-1 (7) mark. Italian Erminio Spalla scored three successive KO wins to lift his record to 18-4 (11), good for 28th. Finally, "Fainting" Phil Scott debuts at #29 with a 15-3-1 (4) mark, slipping a bit after the GBU title loss to Beckett.

Prospects: Sully Montgomery tops the list, winning his first 13 in a row before suffering his first setback, a TKO loss to lowly-regarded Marty Cutler. Dane Emil Andreason is 11-0-1 (6), mainly by virtue of domination over TCs. John Henry Squires, a Heeney victim, kept his slate clean otherwise with wins over Dick Rice and Joe McAuliffe to wind up the year at 11-1 (6). Chilean Quinton Romero Rojas checks in at 10-1 (5), having dropped a SD8 to Squires. McAuliffe, who lost to both men, wound up the year at 10-2 (6). Still unbeaten (all versus TCs) are Floyd Johnson, 8-0 (all KO), Young Stribling, 8-0 (7), and King Soloman, 8-0 (2). Brian McCleary survived a SD win over Rudi Wagener to get off to a 7-0 (3) start. Ralph Brooks ended the year at 7-0-1 (2). Jack Burke, on the other hand, struggled, going 8-4-2 (7).

Retirements: Record number (8) retired retire in 1922, including two former Champs.

Jim Cameron (USA) 1909-22 22-23-3 (7) No Titles Highest Rank: 40
Fighting Dick Gilbert (USA) 1910-22 22-24-2 (9) No Titles Highest Rank: 33
Matthew Curran (IRL) 1907-22 27-26-2 (17) No Titles Highest Rank: 25
Arthur Pelkey (CAN) 1910-22 26-17-2 (15) No Titles Highest Rank: 15
Charley Miller (USA) 1908-22 25-24-3 (11) No Titles Highest Rank: 5
Sam McVey (USA) 1902-22 53-18-2 (33) WBA Champ
Tommy Burns (CAN) 1901-22 50-26-5 (32) WBA Champ
Denver Jack Geyer (USA) 1909-22 29-21-3 (22) No Titles Highest Rank: 24

Looking Ahead: It will be interesting to see if Dempsey is set for a long title reign, given that he has beaten about all the top contenders except for Tunney, who is likely to emerge as his toughest challenger. Wills and Godfrey still have some good years ahead of them, but there should be a changing of the guard as older veterans start to age. Expect to see competition for the EBU title heat up, with Samson-Korner, Beckett, and the Italian Spalla brothers (Erminio and Giuseppe) in the mix. The Basque Woodchopper, Spaniard Paulino Uzcudan, American Pat Lester, and Canada's Larry Gains pace the 11 newcomers to the ranks in 1923.

[JCWeb]

1922 LH Title Bouts

WBA

Battling Levinsky CH (37-13-2) vs Georges Carpentier #7 (43-8-2)

Carpentier seeks to regain the WBA title he lost in 1917. Third meeting of the pair, who each won one of the previous bouts.

After a close opening round, the Orchid Man moves inside to press the action in round two, another close round. Levinsky moves inside in round three and the Frenchman connects with a wild overhand right; the Champ's eyes start to swell (both of them) from Carpentier's two-fisted attack. Round four, Levinsky is able to stave off his aggressive challenger. Round five, both men work outside, and the Champ is back on track (it's 47-all on the unofficial card despite the early knockdown). Round six, another even round as Levinsky presses the action. Round seven, Carpentier is the aggressor but Levinsky scores more points. Round eight, Carpentier's repeated efforts have an effect, as the swelling worsens. Carpentier dominates again in round nine, which sees both men wailing away on the inside. Round ten, Levinsky is the aggressor, but he falls to a barrage of Carpentier punches and can't recover. Carpentier wins by TKO 10 to recapture the belt.

Georges Carpentier CH (44-8-2) vs Harry Greb #3 (32-6)

First meeting of the two; Greb is coming off wins over Dillon and Siki.

Strong start by the Orchid Man, who takes round one. Round two, both work inside, Carpentier pulls ahead at the end of the round. Round three sees both men stay outside, and again the action favors the Frenchman, who lands a devastating cross. Round four is a close, even round. The Human Windmill gets more aggressive in round five, plants a straight right to the jaw of the Champ to take the round. Carpentier, however, leads 49-46, on the unofficial card. More toe-to-toe action in round six, and Greb gets the best of the inside exchanges. Round seven, Greb is the aggressor but strong counterpunching by the Frenchman wards off the Pittsburgh native. Strong round eight for Greb as the two slug it out from the outside. Round nine sees Carpentier slowed by a cut above the right eye, which starts to swell. Greb tries to follow up in round 10, but can't land the haymaker. 94-all on the unofficial card going into the final five rounds. Carpentier is bothered by the cut as Greb pounds away on the inside. Greb solidifies his advantage with a three-punch combo that staggers the Champ, followed up by a vicious uppercut to score a knockdown near the end of the 13th. Two more rounds, and Greb is the winner by UD15 (144-137 on all three cards).

Harry Greb CH (33-6) vs Gene Tunney #1 (24-5-2)

Third meeting of the two; 1-1 in two prior bouts. Tunney is unbeaten in his last five bouts, Greb has won his last three.

Bout starts with an action-packed opening round, both men scoring well. Greb moves inside in round two, a huge round for the Human Windmill as Tunney's left eye starts to puff up. Greb continues to press the action in round three, but Tunney holds him off. After a couple of inconsequential rounds, Greb is ahead by 49-47 on the unofficial card after five. Tunney tries to work inside in round six, another close round. More toe-to-toe action in round seven -- another even round. Greb starts wearing Tunney down with a persistent inside attack, and he pulls ahead by 97-95 (after ten rounds) on the unofficial card. Tunney gets increasingly desperate as he can't find the range against the wily Greb. The bout goes the distance, and Greb wins the rubber match by UD 15 (145-141, 147-139, 146-140); this loss causes Tunney to leave the division by the end of the year.

Harry Greb CH (34-6) vs Tommy Gibbons #2 (33-11-2)

Second meeting of the two (Greb won the first by SD back in 1919). Gibbons is coming off three successful NABF title defe