Phoenix Boxing Federation

[bigMatt]

The feature match of the month of March was tonight's Main Event at Foleys Hall in Sydney, Australia, pitting Teofilo Stevenson against slugger Carlos Maussa. This battle between two of the top five fighters in the PBF was nothing less than thrilling, with twelve rounds of bomb throwing action.

Neither fighter shirked the opportunity to impress his will on the other, as from the get-go, both fighters moved to ring center and went toe-to-toe. In the early rounds, Stevenson seemed to get the better of Maussa, brandishing a mouse under each eye of his opponent. But Maussa would not be denied, advancing through each flurry and giving as good as he took.

Both fighters looked to be in trouble at various times in the battle, but neither lost his footing through 12 rounds. At the end of the contest, the stadium was abuzz with debate over who was the better fighter. Lee McRae, who served as the ringside expert, saw a close 115-113 victory for Stevenson. When the scorecards were read, one other judge saw it the same. The other two, however, declared the bout knotted at 114-114, resulting in a majority draw.

The undercard was highlighted by a 5th round TKO for Dan Donnelly, who was behind throughout his bout with James Figg but managed to tattoo a copiously-bleeding wound over the left eye of James Figg early in the round that prevented his opponent from continuing. It was a bitter defeat for Figg, who drops all the way to 41st after the unfortunate loss.

March 22, 1890
HW: Teofilo Stevenson 12-0-0 (5) MDraw12 Carlos Maussa 12-0-0 (2)
HW: James Corbett 13-0-0 (0) UD10 Tom Hinch 9-3-1 (0)
HW: Dan Donnelly 10-2-1 (2) TKO5 James Figg 8-4-1 (3)
HW: William Miller 10-2-1 (0) UD6 Steve Taylor 8-3-1 (1)
HW: Mike Brennan 9-4-0 (2) UD6 Jack Stewert 7-5-1 (0)
HW: Mike Kine 5-5-3 (0) MDraw4 Jack McAuley 5-6-1 (1)

[bigMatt]

Below are the sixteen fighters who right now hold a berth in June's PBF tournament:

1. Dick Matthews 13-0-0 (7)
2. James Corbett 14-0-0
3. Muhammad Ali 14-0-0 (4)
4. Jimmy Elliot 13-1-0 (3)
5. Teofilo Stevenson 12-0-1 (5)
6. Carlos Maussa 12-0-1 (2)
7. Joe Choynski 11-1-1 (4)
8. Joe Goss 12-1-0 (1)
9. Herbert Slade 12-1-0 (3)
10. Tom Sayers 12-1-0 (2)
11. Dan Donnelly 11-2-1 (3)
12. Tom Allen 10-3-0 (2)
13. Billy Australian Smith 10-2-0 (3)
14. Dominic McCaffrey 13-1-0 (3)
15. Dan Dwyer 8-2-3 (1)
16. Charlie Norkus 6-5-3

But a lot can change over the next two months. Sitting on the outside looking in right now:

17. George Rooke 10-2-2 (4)
18. Tom Hinch 9-4-1
19. Jason Estrada 11-3-0 (3)
20. Charles Cooley 9-3-2
21. O'Neil Murray 11-2-0
22. Joe Goddard 12-2-0 (3)
23. William Miller 11-2-1
24. Primo Carnera 10-4-0 (2)

[bigMatt]

Only twelve bouts slated this month in the Phoenix Boxing Federation, but several with important tournament implications.

The Rheinhalle in Germany hosted the first of two PBF fight cards in April, with the Main Event pitting #8 Joe Goss against #9 Herbert Slade. The betting crowd installed Goss as the early favorite with his superior defense and ring command. But one can never discount "The Maori" Slade with his thunderous power and plodding yet effective ring presence. Tonight's fight between the two was a close one, with both fighters showing why they belong in the PBF top 10. Goss continued to outpoint Slade throughout the bout, but whenever Slade got one off, it got Goss' attention. The bout lasted the distance without any knockdowns, so it was left to the judges to decide...in this case the age old question - points or power? Tonight, the judges chose the latter, giving Slade a very close split decision victory over the hard lucked Goss.

Two important undercard bouts rearranged the tourney hopefuls list. In the co-feature event, Tom Allen sent Dan Dwyer home with a TKO loss in a lively contest, with both fighters tasting the canvas in the short span of 5 round in a 10 round scheduled match. Dwyer sat down twice in round 5 and was on his way to the mat again when the referee put a halt to the action.
In the previous bout, The Black Demon, Billy Wilson, made very short work of Charlie Norkus tonight in a one round TKO. Norkus was no match for Wilson's power, dropping 3 times in the contest.

James "Captain" Dalton continues to surge up the rankings with an impressive win over Bill Farnan tonigh. Dalton currently stands at 18th with the hope of another win in May to squeak into the tourney.

April 1, 1890
HW: Herbert Slade 12-1-0 (3) SD12 Joe Goss 12-1-0 (1)
HW: Tom Allen 10-3-0 (2) KO5 Dan Dwyer 8-2-3 (1)
HW: Billy Wilson 10-1-2 (0) TKO1 Charlie Norkus 6-5-3 (0)
HW: James Dalton 10-5-0 (3) TKO5 Bill Farnan 8-3-2 (2)
HW: Al Greenfield 7-6-0 (1) KO5 Lonnie Clark 4-8-1 (0)
HW: Dan McCarty 4-9-1 (0) SD4 PJ Rentzler 6-7-0 (0)

[bigMatt]

Muhammad Ali continued to polish his resume with an easy 6th round TKO victory over Roy Williams in tonight's Main Event at the Armory in Newark, New Jersey. Williams was a game opponent early, but a cut opened in round 2 by Ali put Williams in a vat of jeopardy that he was never able to escape.

On the undercard, Fred Crossley dashed tourney hopes for Dan Donnelly tonight with a 7th round TKO victory over the Regency Rogue. The decision, virtually identical to the one Donnelly received over James Figg last month, seemed an ironic bit of justice, as Donnelly protested bitterly the early stoppage. And Joe Goddard squeaked out a close split decision victory over Jem Smith to move his way into the PBF top 16.

April 21, 1890
HW: Muhammad Ali 14-0-0 (4) TKO6 Roy Williams 10-2-1 (2)
HW: Joe Choynski 11-1-1 (4) KO6 Morris Grant 5-6-2 (0)
HW: Fred Crossley 9-4-1 (1) TKO7 Dan Donnelly 11-2-1 (3)
HW: Joe Goddard 12-2-0 (3) SD6 Jem Smith 7-6-0 (0)
HW: Denver Ed Smith 10-3-0 (0) UD6 Mike Conley 5-6-2 (1)
HW: John McDermont 5-6-2 (0) Tech UD4 Art Bayliss 3-9-1 (0)

[bigMatt]

With one month remaining prior to the big dance, below is the list of those with tentative invitations. With this month's action, Muhammad Ali now takes what is considered his rightful place at the top of the PBF:

1. Muhammad Ali 15-0-0 (5)
2. Dick Matthews 13-0-0 (7)
3. James Corbett 14-0-0
4. Jimmy Elliot 13-1-0 (3)
5. Herbert Slade 13-1-0 (3)
6. Teofilo Stevenson 12-0-1 (5)
7. Joe Choynski 12-1-1 (5)
8. Carlos Maussa 12-0-1 (2)
9. Tom Sayers 12-1-0 (2)
10. Joe Goss 12-2-0 (1)
11. Tom Allen 11-3-0 (3)
12. Billy Australian Smith 10-2-0 (3)
13. Dominic McCaffrey 13-1-0 (3)
14. Billy Wilson 11-1-2 (1)
15. Joe Goddard 13-2-0 (3)
16. George Rooke 10-2-2 (4)

Looking to find their way in:

17. Tom Hinch 9-4-1
18. James Dalton 11-5-0 (4)
19. Jason Estrada 11-3-0 (3)
20. Charles Cooley 9-3-2
21. O'Neil Murray 11-2-0
22. William Miller 11-2-1
23. Primo Carnera 10-4-0 (2)
24. John McDermott 10-3-1 (1)

[bigMatt]

In the final month leading up to the PBF heavyweight championship tournament, this month's fightcards are pregnant with meaningful matchups. In addition to the fighters randomly selected to fight this month, every fighter ranked from 10th through 22nd has been activated unless injury prevents it.

The feature bout in a month with many notable fights is a pairing of two top 5 heavies, each no doubt hoping to swipe the #1 position in the tourney with a win in May. Dick Matthews 13-0-0 (7) puts his flawless record on the line this month against Teofilo Stevenson 12-0-1 (5), in a matchup that underscores the fearless nature of each man. As you might recall, both Matthews and Stevenson debutted in March against tough, undefeated opponents as well, Tom Sayers and Carlos Maussa, respectively. Matthews came out on top of his battle with Sayers, a brutal affair that put Sayers on the shelf ever since. Stevenson's war with Maussa, as good a fight as you'll ever see, ended in a majority draw. This match promises fireworks, and the winner may very well take the #1 seed into the tournament at the end of June.

With 16 total fights in the month of May, the PBF will offer 3 fightcards, and the second Main Event will pit the aforementioned Carlos Maussa 12-0-1 (2) against 32nd ranked Jake Kilrain 8-5-0 (1). While Kilrain is not currently slated for a tourney slot, an upset victory here would definitely put him in the running. Maussa's close contest with Stevenson in March puts him in elite company in the PBF, and he is a big favorite in this match.

The third fightcard carries another intriguing Main Event matchup, as 4th ranked Jimmy Elliot 13-1-0 (3) duels 19th ranked Jason Estrada 11-3-0 (3). Should Estrada, a tough and capable fighter, upend the brawling Irishman, he is virtually guaranteed a slot in the tourney.

Some undercard battles of note:

#13 Dominic McCaffrey 13-1-0 (3) vs. #21 O'Neil Murray 11-2-0
#10 Joe Goss 10-2-0 (1) vs. #12 Billy Australian Smith 11-2-0 (3)

[bigMatt]

An exciting and interesting month in the PBF has been completed, the results of which has cast in stone the dance card for next month's PBF heavyweight championship tournament.

In Milwaukee, an action-filled evening ended with a 12 round unanimous decision for Jimmy Elliot vs. Jason Estrada. Estrada kept the fight close early, but an 8th round hook out of nowhere dropped Estrada for a seven count. From that point forward, Estrada was but a shell of his earlier form. The starch had totally left his attack, and Elliot glided to the victory.

On the undercard, Dom McCaffrey solidified his claim to a tourney invitation with his victory over O'Neil Murray. In this, the second match between these two fighters, McCaffrey held firm control, dumping Murray twice in the contest and breezing to victory.

William Miller also laid tentative claim to a spot in next month's tournament, dispatching Jack Boylan in 7 rounds on cuts. The fight was even when the match was stopped due to copious bleeding over the right eye of Boylan.

May 1, 1890
HW: Jimmy Elliot 13-1-0 (3) UD12 Jason Estrada 11-3-0 (3)
HW: Dominic McCaffrey 13-1-0 (3) UD10 O'Neil Murray 11-2-0 (0)
HW: William Miller 11-2-1 (0) TKO7 Jack Boylan 10-4-0 (0)
HW: Joe Hess 5-7-1 (0) TKO5 Joe Lannon 3-8-2 (1) 1 (0)

[bigMatt]

Carlos Maussa escaped with a TKO victory over Jake Kilrain in tonight's Main Event at Madison Square Garden in NYC. Kilrain surprised Maussa and the capacity crowd with a stiff effort throughout the bout, dropping Maussa in the 3rd for an 8 count, and keeping Maussa on the defensive throughout the evening. Kilrain led on all cards until the 10th round, when Maussa went all out for the KO in a bout he realized was rapidly escaping from his grasp. The withering barrage by Maussa was more than Kilrain could withstand, and with less than a minute to go in the round, a helpless Kilrain hung in the corner while being beaten mercilessly by Maussa. The referee, Frank Cappuccino, stopped the action to protect the defenseless Kilrain, awarding the bout to Maussa. It was a narrow escape for the Columbian fighter, who was down three points on all judges cards before round 10.

On the undercard, Billy Australian Smith dominated a surprisingly docile Joe Goss en route to a UD victory. Goss, after coming into the PBF at 12-0, has lost all 3 of his bouts in 1890. While he will likely still squeak into the tourney, Goss has proven to be much less imposing than his reputation would suggest.

James Dalton, with his 8 round annihilation of Posh Price, also moved into contention for a spot in next month's tourney. "The Captain", a popular veteran from the now-defunct UoLBA, has climbed the rankings with each month this year. While his win tonight does not yet cement his place in next month's tourney, there is reason for optimism after tonight's effort.

May 2, 1890
HW: Carlos Maussa 12-0-1 (2) TKO10 Jake Kilrain 8-5-0 (1)
HW: Billy Australian Smith 11-2-0 (3) UD10 Joe Goss 12-2-0 (1)
HW: James Dalton 11-5-0 (4) UD8 Posh Price 12-1-0 (2)
HW: Tom Allen 11-3-0 (3) MD6 John McDermont 6-6-2 (0)
HW: Tommy Chandler 9-5-0 (2) KO5 Al Greenfield 8-6-0 (2)
HW: Jem Smith 7-7-0 (0) MDraw4 Mike Conley 5-7-2 (1)

[mh2365]

You seem to have alot of weights mixed in here ... is that Carlos Maussa the JWW? I have Chandler and Greenfield at MW.

Also I don't have Price at all could you post him.

[bigMatt]

Fans tonight were treated to a tremendous night of boxing action, climaxed by a Main Event that will live long in the memories of all who witnessed it.

Dick Matthews walked away tonight with a 6 round TKO victory over Teofilo Stevenson, but it was not without supreme effort on his part, as Stevenson did not fall easily to "The Pacific Coast Wonder". Matthews came out early to dominate the early going, dropping his Cuban foe with a thunderous combination early in round 2. Stevenson made 2 efforts to climb to his feet before succeeding at the count of 9 and somehow surviving the round. Stevenson appeared to right himself in the 3rd, and in round 4, hit paydirt with a roundhouse right to the chin of Matthews that floored him. Matthews jumped right back up, but was forced to take the mandatory 8 as he blinked the cobwebs from his brain.

While Stevenson remained a worthy foe, round 4 was definitely the highlight of his evening, as Matthews continued to prevail with an astonishing display of power and speed. By the end of round 5, a mass of swelling dominated the right side of Stevenson's face. In round 6, Matthews poured it on, tatooing Stevenson with a non-stop barrage that withered Stevenson's resolve. With a minute left in the round, Stevenson's defense was gone, and with it any hope of victory. As Matthews kept up the attack, it became apparent that Stevenson was done for. The referee stepped in with :45 seconds left in the round, hugging the defenseless Stevenson and awarding the match to Matthews.

With the victory, Matthews surges to #1 in the PBF, swiping the prime spot from Muhammad Ali.

On the undercard, Joe Goddard dumped Fred Crossley twice in round 1 and had him on the ropes at the end of the round. Fortunately for Crossley, the bell sounded and a minute on the stool somehow allowed Crossley to clear his head. From the 2nd on, the fight belonged to Crossley, who somehow managed to outbox Goddard en rount to an 8 round majority decision victory. The loss was a bitter one for Goddard, as it dashed his hopes for entry into next month's PBF tourney.

Tourney hopefuls Charles Cooley, Billy Wilson, George Rooke and Tom Hinch all posted wins in tonight's fights, adding to the intrigue regarding next month's tournament fight card.


May 3, 1890
HW: Dick Matthews 13-0-0 (7) TKO6 Teofilo Stevenson 12-0-1 (5)
HW: Charles Cooley 9-3-2 (0) KO9 Jack Fallon 10-3-0 (0)
HW: Fred Crossley 10-4-1 (2) MD8 Joe Goddard 13-2-0 (3)
HW: Billy Wilson 11-1-2 (1) UD6 Steve Taylor 8-4-1 (1)
HW: George Rooke 10-2-2 (4) UD6 Jack Stewert 7-6-1 (0)
HW: Tom Hinch 9-4-1 (0) MD4 Tug Wilson 6-5-2 (0)

[bigMatt]

Originally Posted by mh2365

You seem to have alot of weights mixed in here ... is that Carlos Maussa the JWW? I have Chandler and Greenfield at MW.

Also I don't have Price at all could you post him.

Well that's a bummer - Maussa is indeed a JWW. I pulled him from Cornerworks as a HW and didn't research him. He has been "masquerading" as a heavy and doing quite well in the PBF, but it is evident that Maussa doesn't belong. So we'll have to drop him from the ranks. Maussa will "retire" from the heavyweight division and will at some point make an appearance at his appropriate weight class. Thanks for point this out! Guess this underscores the importance of researching every one of my fighters before allowing them admittance into the PBF. It also shows I'm much more "up" on historic fighters than current ones.

I know Greenfield fought as a HW, as he was one of John L. Sullivan's victims. Chandler may have fought much of his career as MW, but I know he had some HW fights as well, as he was another Sullivan victim, and also laced up against James Dalton.

Attached is Price, a bareknuckler from Britain who fought in the mid-1800's.

[bigMatt]

Round 1 - scheduled for June 21, 1890:

#1 Dick Matthews 14-0-0 (8) vs. #16 Charles Cooley 10-3-2 (1)
#2 Muhammad Ali 15-0-0 (5) vs. #15 George Rooke 11-2-2 (4)
#3 Jim Corbett 14-0-0 vs. #14 James Dalton 12-5-0 (4)
#4 Jimmy Elliot 14-1-0 (3) vs. #13 Billy Wilson 12-1-2 (1)
#5 Herbert Slade 13-1-0 (3) vs. #12 Joe Goss 12-3-0 (1)
#6 Joe Choynski 12-1-1 (5) vs. #11 Dominic McCaffrey 12-1-0 (3)
#7 Teofilo Stevenson 12-1-1 (5) vs. #10 Billy Australian Smith 12-2-0 (3)
#8 Tom Sayers 12-1-0 (2). vs. #9 Tom Allen 12-3-0 (3)

The early contests offer some intriguing matchups and a couple of potential upsets worth highlighting:

- Dominic McCaffrey, who has already had a very successful campaign in the early going, is a very strong #11 against Joe Choynski. This should be an excellent battle and will likely be a pick 'em for the bookmakers.

- Joe Goss, who has to this point underperformed in his time with the PBF, has a very beatable foe in Herbert Slade. Slade vanquished Goss in Germany last April, but it was a split decision award that could easily have gone to Goss.

[bigMatt]

BONNER SPRINGS - The Phoenix Boxing Federation Tournament will soon be underway, distilling the pretenders from the contender, and ultimately annointing the first belt holder of the PBF.

The prohibitive favorite to capture the title is not the current #1 seed, Dick Matthews, but #2 seed Muhammad Ali. Ali is recogized as the elite of the PBF, and no other fighter is even considered in his class. However, there are several other fighters in the tourney who could pose a problem for the tremendously skilled Ali. Matthews, for one, has been nothing short of invincible since the beginning of his career. Should the two advance to the championship match, it will no doubt be an intriguing contest. Matthews power has proven to be formidable, and he will no doubt give Ali a stiff battle should they meet. Teofilo Stevenson, while carrying a loss from his war with Matthews, is another fighter worthy of comment. Stevenson possesses tremendous power and boxing skills. James Corbett, on the other hand, is the ultimate ring tactician. While not possessing the power to dominate his foe, Corbett is recognized as one of the very best at utilizing his boxing prowess to dominate an opponent. Due to superior defense, Corbett is rarely in trouble, and will outpoint almost any opponent he meets. And Jimmy Elliot is that rare fighter who combines strength and superior defense. He will be one to watch.

If there is a darkhorse, it might be 8th ranked Tom Sayers, who had his train derailed by Dick Matthews in his very first PBF bout. Sayers possesses the right combination of skills and power to make some noise in this year's tourney.

Get your tickets now as the tourney will sell out within hours. Round one will begin shortly.

[mh2365]

Originally Posted by bigMatt

Well that's a bummer - Maussa is indeed a JWW. I pulled him from Cornerworks as a HW and didn't research him. He has been "masquerading" as a heavy and doing quite well in the PBF, but it is evident that Maussa doesn't belong. So we'll have to drop him from the ranks. Maussa will "retire" from the heavyweight division and will at some point make an appearance at his appropriate weight class. Thanks for point this out! Guess this underscores the importance of researching every one of my fighters before allowing them admittance into the PBF. It also shows I'm much more "up" on historic fighters than current ones.

I know Greenfield fought as a HW, as he was one of John L. Sullivan's victims. Chandler may have fought much of his career as MW, but I know he had some HW fights as well, as he was another Sullivan victim, and also laced up against James Dalton.

Attached is Price, a bareknuckler from Britain who fought in the mid-1800's.

Sorry to rain on your parade a little there .. I could accept Chandler and Greenfield but was seriously confused about Maussa ... thanks for the Price file

[CONN CHRIS]

Originally Posted by mh2365

Sorry to rain on your parade a little there .. I could accept Chandler and Greenfield but was seriously confused about Maussa ... thanks for the Price file

I did the same thing. I mistakenly brought a Japanese bum HW (Lobster Hysida) into my universe only to later learn that he was a Japanese BW bum. With over 8,000 active fighters I am sure it has happened a few times in my universe, but that is the only one that I am aware of.

The impostor holds the Asian title at the moment but given that the commissioner (me) has now learned of the fraud, that will change soon.

[bigMatt]

Originally Posted by mh2365

Sorry to rain on your parade a little there .. I could accept Chandler and Greenfield but was seriously confused about Maussa ... thanks for the Price file

Not a rainout by any means Mike. In fact, I appreciate the insight. While an ahistorical universe is by its nature not exactly "accurate", I do have aspirations of making the PBF as realistic as possible.

Charles Cooley appreciates it as well, as now he becomes entrant #16, and is allowed to invest his 5 minutes of newly-minted fame in a one-match quest for greatness in the PBF.

[bigMatt]

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

I did the same thing. I mistakenly brought a Japanese bum HW (Lobster Hysida) into my universe only to later learn that he was a Japanese BW bum. With over 8,000 active fighters I am sure it has happened a few times in my universe, but that is the only one that I am aware of.

The impostor holds the Asian title at the moment but given that the commissioner (me) has now learned of the fraud, that will change soon.

That is comforting Chris knowing that I am in good company.

I will look for the Lobster and make sure he is excised before he becomes another PBF folly!

[Romdawg88]

I thought the same thing as Mike that Carlos Maussa was the same guy Hatton smashed in his fight before last but I brushed it off thinking it was maybe some oldtimer I didn't know with a similar name. I'm looking forward to the Tournment, I do love those. Man, I feel bad for Dick Matthews though cause you know Ali is going to be out to crush him in the Finals if they meat for taking his 1st seed.

[bigMatt]

BOSTON - Boston Gardens is the site for round 1 of the PBF heavyweight tournament. Anticipation is palpable among the capacity crowd as they await the opening bell of today's action.

Dick Matthews v. Charles Cooley
The opening bout of the tourney brings #1 seed Dick Matthews to ring center to face #16 Charles Cooley. Matthews carries a perfect 14-0-0 (8) record into the bout to Cooley's 10-3-2 (1). Both enter the contest in perfect form, ready to go to war.

Round 1 begins with both fighters meeting at ring center, wasting no time getting the action started. Both fighters trade blows, but it is Matthews who delivers the heavier response. Matthews goes to work on Cooley and it becomes immediately clear that this is a decided mismatch. Cooley soon loses his will to trade with Matthews, choosing to take cover wherever and whenever possible. Midway through the round, Matthews opens a cut over Cooley's eye. It seems a gift from Providence for the overmatched Cooley, who puts up no fuss whatsoever when the ringside doctor stops the match before round 1 has ended and awards a TKO victory to Matthews.

Tom Sayers v. Tom Allen
The second bout of today's action pits Tom Sayers against Tom Allen for the chance to meet Dick Matthews in round 2 of the PBF tournament. Both fighters enter the ring in perfect shape, ready to go.

Round 1 began with Sayers the aggressor, showing the thunderous power that he is known for. With just over a minute gone in round 1, Sayers dropped Allen to the canvas for a 7 count, the first of two knockdowns in the round.

It was all downhill from there for Allen, who tasted the mat two more times in the contest. Allen lasted the entire ten rounds, but it was Sayers who carried the day with a tremendous showing in his 10 round unanimous decision victory.

Herbert Slade v. Joe Goss
In their first encounter, Herbert Slade collected a close Split Decision victory over Joe Goss in April. Tonight, it was a different story, as Goss finally found the rhythm that had thus far eluded him in previous PBF bouts. The fight tonight was never in doubt, as Goss dominated the powerful but plodding Slade, beating him to the punch for the balance of the contest, and taking a one-sided unanimous victory to advance.

Jimmy Elliot v. Billy Wilson
The most spirited fight of today's action was a war between Jimmy Elliot and "The Black Demon", Billy Wilson. Both fighters came into the match in top form, but it was Wilson who obviously came ready to fight, carrying a big lead early over the sluggish Irishman.

But Elliot was not to be dispatched quietly, and began to find his rhythm in round 5, buckling the knees of his opponent with a tireless onslaught throughout the round. Elliot dominated again in rounds 6 and 7, but Wilson found his second wind in round 8, battering Elliot with a withering barrage that raised an ugly mass of swelling under Elliot's left eye. The swelling increased in round 9, and it looked as though the eye might close entirely. But Elliot fought onward, and in round 10, put a thunderous combination together that dropped Wilson to the canvas. Wilson rose at the count of 8 to finish the round and the match. Both fighters thought they had won the match, and in fact, both were deserving on this day. But only one man could advance, and when the judges submitted their cards, it was Elliot who raised his hands in victory, by a single point on every card.

The bottom bracket of the tourney commences shortly.

[Romdawg88]

Well damn, that match between Jimmy Elliot and Billy Wilson was a barnburner. Hell of a rally by Jimmy and tough break for Wilson there but good times all around.