Thanksgiving Tournament of the Turkeys

[bear]

Originally Posted by mikehoudini

Lou Savarese (5-0 3) will be taking on Francesco Damiani (5-0-1 1). Savarese got this far by taking a close UD from Monte Barrett, then getting a MD against King Levinsky, TKOing Hubert Hilton in 7, shocking Oleg Maskaev with a KO in Round 2, and finally by stopping Harry Thomas on a 10^th round KO.

Damiani opend with unanimous decisions over Jess Willard and Jim Braddock, then getting another against Amos Lincoln, beating Phil Jackson by a close SD, and finally by the 5^th round KO of George Godfrey.

Who will prevail in this Clash of the Titans? I know who Bear will be rooting for! Do I hear a chant “Lou, Lou, Lou?”

I'm chanting

[Infinity]

For Bear's sake I'll chant! LOU! LOU! LOU!

In the meantime, I do believe a certain grudge match is in order....

[mikehoudini]

Originally Posted by Infinity

For Bear's sake I'll chant! LOU! LOU! LOU!

In the meantime, I do believe a certain grudge match is in order....

And I wonder which one that is? It just might be in order.

[mikehoudini]

Lou Savarese (5-0 3) vs. Francesco Damiani (5-0-1 1) – Ruppert Stadium was a sellout for this event. Bear and his boys were in from Shy-town, rooting for Lou! Damiani had many of his countrymen there to counterbalance the Bears Unstable. Past luminaries such as Danny Wofford, Mel Turnbow and Butterbean were also in attendance. This would be a contest between two fine boxers!

Round 1 - Francesco was firing and missing early, then suddenly tagged Savarese with a sizzling right! Lou stepped back, regained his composure, landing a few nice counters, mainly combinations, as Damiani pressed the action. Lou ducked under a wild left, then punished Damiani with a booming straight right! That took the wind out of Francesco’s sails. The round ended, 11-5 for Savarese.

Round 2 – They were both cautious early in the 2^nd, trading tester punches, feeling each other out. Lou landed a combination and an uppercut, taking the lead, but Damiani came back with a monster uppercut that staggered Savarese! Even worse, Lou was cut outside his right eyebrow! The cut spurred him into action in the last minute. He fired a series of combinations and uppercuts, slipping everything Francessco threw! Several of these punches had some juice behind him, and Lou won the round going away, 18-8. Savarese 10-9, Savarese 20-18

Round 3 - Damiani seemed tired early in the round, as he’d been throwing (and missing) a lot of punches. Lou connected on some precision-point jabs. Francesco saw an opening and flashed a jarring hook, and Savarese’s cut was reopened! The two exchanged volleys, the round ending without further incident. I had Lou winning, 13-8. Savarese 10-9, Savarese 30-27.

Round 4 - Francesco was active, trying to tag Savarese, but Lou was dancing and protecting his eye. Damianai was leaving himself open, and Lou pounded uppercut after uppercut home, building an 11-2 round as Francesco had to be getting frustrated! Savarese 10-9, Savarese 40-36.

Round 5 – Bear and the boys were getting hoarse cheering their man on, and indeed it was an impressive performance so far by Savarese. A desperate Damiani got on board first in the 5^th with a stinging uppercut. Pressing his advantage, he landed a few crisp jabs, then a jarring cranium-crusher! Lou seemed in trouble. Francesco was relentless. His jab was on target, and he bruised Lou with another big uppercut. He fired a sizzling right, and the cumulative punishment had Lou in a bad way! Moving constantly, he was getting tagged consistently. Savarese suddenly went on the offensive, catching a charging Damiani with a sizzling left. The round ended, Damiani ahead 20-8, but Savarese had weather the storm! Damiani 10-9, Savarese 49-46.

Round 6 – Lou looked a bit woozy coming out for the 6^th, while Francesco might have punched himself out with his 5^th round barrage! Lou moved around well, clearing his head and countering Damiani’s blows. He continued to land with machine gun-like rapidity, and soon Francesco’s right eye was swelling. The final was 15-6. Savarese 10-9, Savarese 59-55.

Round 7 – Damiani landed some light combinations early.. He blocked a Savarese jab, countering with a colossal uppercut, and the blood was once again pouring out over Lou’s eye! The cut was outside the eye, but the fight was halted to check the severity. Doctor No indicated things could proceed, and Francesco, rejuvenated by the sight of blood not his own, boxed brilliantly, waxing Lou with hooks and combinations. Landing 44 times in all, he dominated the round, 18-2, but could he be consistent for more than one round? Damiani 10-9, Savarese 68-65.

Round 8 – When Damiani connected with a crisp uppercut to begin the round, it looked like the momentum was switching. Going for broke, he followed with some bombs that suffered from his tiredness, as Lou slipped them all. Protecting that eye, Savarese was content to land an occasional counter, and he piled up enough points to win again, 7-4. Damiani fired many times, but only landed the one bomb, as Lou was staying on the outside and boxing nicely. Savarese 10-9, Savarese 78-74.

Round 9 – Lou stayed on the outside, while Damiani went for broke. Lou landed a few hooks and a hard straight right to build up an early lead, and now Francesco’s eye was worse. Fighting brilliantly, Savarese pinpointed the eye with punch after punch, primarily hooks! Francesco’s eye was swollen to a 30% level, and Savarese was having a field day, raining blows all over him! As the round was ending, he uncorked a savage combination, and Damiani dropped, only to jump back up, unsteadily, at the count of 1. Landing 54 times in all, Lou was in command, 31-4, and his cheering contingent was vocal! Savarese 10-8, Savarese 88-82.

Round 10 – How much more punishment could Damiani take? Lou landed a lethal uppercut. Damiani, half-blind from the swelling, landed a corkscrew uppercut of his own, and suddenly the cut was reopened, the claret gushing! The fight was halted for a moment, Savarese confident, since it was not running into his eye. His face changed when Doctor no shook his head, and the fight was stopped because of the gash! Francesco Damiani, down 88-82, wins the title bout on a TKO via cuts at 1:06 of the 10^th!

The Sons of Italy were cheering, while Bear and his boys were shouting “No way!” There was a loud “boo!” The fans weren’t shouting “Lou” but were booing what they thought was a poor stoppage! Lou had outlanded Francesco 258-169, and had only lost 2 rounds. Lou went over and hugged the new champion, the fans cheering his sportsmanship. Damiani was a bit hesitant about a rematch. What does the fight crowd think?

It looks like Bear has broken his jinks, but what a sad way to lose the championship!

[bear]

We are displeased

[mikehoudini]

Originally Posted by bear

We are displeased

Is that the royal 'we', or your Shy-town contingent?

[Infinity]

Only a beaten man would refuse a rematch. Is Damiani scared?....

[bear]

Originally Posted by mikehoudini

Is that the royal 'we', or your Shy-town contingent?

It is my Royal we. I am also stamping my foot in disapproval.

[mikehoudini]

Originally Posted by bear

It is my Royal we. I am also stamping my foot in disapproval.

Then hope Infinity prevails in his demand for a rematch, Your Highness!

[mikehoudini]

I noticed the other day that this thread has its 2 year anniversary today!

On this day of Thanksgiving, I'd like to thank all the readers and posters. I'm only through Level 6 (and there are still a bevy of challenge matches that need to take place), but I plan on persevering on through the top levels.

I also plan, ideally this weekend, to post a brief synopsis of the tournaments and levels to date, listing the top fighters in each level, the culmination of an on again, off again two year effort. Conn Chris suggested this, and it'll be fun to do a recap!

I'm bouncing back from a 3 week virus, and some incredible work pressures, but have 4 days to rest and recuperate and relax! Thanks again, all you readers and posters. This is a great community!

[mikehoudini]

Just for the halibut, and because Conn Chris suggested it, I’m going back to summarize a bit how each of the levels went, with the major fighters’ records listed.

Level 1 – true tomato cans

Here’s my favorite set, the true tomato cans:

Levi Forte (10-1 5) – Levi won the championship with a nice run of boxing, climaxed with a 2^nd round KO of Pedro Agosto! He just was a solid fighter who beat everyone else in Level 1.

Pedro (Schoolboy) Agosto (ffice:smarttags" />12-4-1 9) – Pedro came in 2^nd, and may have the most fights of anyone in this thread. He decimated the ranks of the level 1 guys, going 7-1-1 6. His stoppage percentage was awesome in the Level 1 tourney. While he won enough to advance to the Level 3 matches, his KO power diminished. He made it to the Elite 8 in the Twos tourney.

Eddie Gregg (7-2-2 5) – Eddie went 5-1-1 4, going a long ways, then also advanced in the Level 2 tourney to the Sweet 16s.

Bill Squires (6-2 6) – Bill was a crowd-pleaser. He made it to the Final 4. Every fight was action-packed. He savaged Powell in the Twos tourney.

Charley Powell (5-2 4) – Charley had a surprisingly good record, also making it to the Final 4.

Derek (D-Mos) Amos (6-3-1 2) – This slugger attracted a host of fans, and was always a force. He won a post-tourney elimination event, then lost a narrow MD to Champion Levi Forte!

Soldier lace>Kearnslace> (4-2-3 3) – Soldier went 4-1-2 in his flight. He has been a warrior who never retreats.

Mel Turnbow (4-3 1) – Mighty Mel, perhaps the best Level 1 fighter of all time, has a very solid record. He made it to the Sweet 16 in the original tournament (topping Butterbean along the way) before narrowly losing a SD to Rudi Lubbers. He brought out the crowd for every fight! He lost a close MD to Champion Levi Forte. If the fight had gone 8 rounds instead of 10, Mel would have become the champion! He lost a close MD that many thought should have been a draw to Keith McKnight in the Twos tourney.

Reportedly, many boxers dodged a match with Turnbow, because of his boxing acumen. He was and is the Man!

Butterbean (4-3-1 2) – This portly lad has been the butt of many a joke, deservedly so, eating his way through many buffets. Sal loves him. He won in the Twos tourney.

Danny Wofford (6-7-1 1) – The round mound was 0-2-1 in the original tournament, disappointing Romultiltus. He then lost a SD to George Foreman Makachunga that everyone thought he’d won, and a MD to Jukebox Timebomb! Rebounding from that dismal beginning, he exceeded all expectations by advancing into the Level 3 tournament. He KOd Dino Dennis in the Twos tourney, He easily outpointed Jose Urtain to make it to the Elite 8 of the Twos tourney. He would have won his next match against Steffen Tangstad if it had gone only 8 rounds. He advanced to the Sweet 16s in the challenge round of the 3s tourney! Next to Mel, he has been the most popular.
>
John Basil Jackson (3-4) – Jabba the jabber threw almost no other punches, yet was able to frustrate most of his opponents.

These Magnificent 11 were the class of the level 1 fighters.

[mikehoudini]

Lee Oma (7-2 3) – He stopped Bill Tate in 8 to take the title, going 6-0 3. He advanced in the Threes tourney.

Bill Tate (6-2 1) – Bill went 5-1 1, and advanced in the next tourney.

Steffen Tangstad (5-2-3 3) – He made it to the Final 4, losing to Oma. He was durable, the king of the draws!

Keith McKnight (7-3-1 4) – He lost to Tate in the Final 4, finishing 4-1 2 in the tourney. He did well at the next level, fighting a war with James Beattie.

Jean-Pierre Coopman (4-3-1 2) – The Lion of Flanders was scrappy, making it to the Elite 8.

China Smith (3-3 3) – China was 2-1 2 in the tourney, then fought well at the next level. His fights were entertaining, for as long as they lasted!

[mikehoudini]

Jeremy Williams (6-2 4) – Jeremy “half man, half Amazing” won the title with a MD over Fabio Moli. He had KOd John Holman in the first round to advance to the finals. Afterward, he lost, in a non-title bout, to James Beattie via a 2^nd round TKO in a challenge match.

Johnny Paychek (7-2 4) – Johnny lost a close match to John Holman in the Elite 8, then roared back in the challenge matches, stopping Holman in the 4^th after KOing Danny Wofford in 10. He KOd Brian London in 3 in the challenge series. Earlier, he won a narrow MD over Chuck Wepner!

Fabio Moli (6-4-2 3) – He triumphed over Imamu Mayfield to reach the finals, where he lost to Williams. He scored a 5^th round KO over powerful Pedro Agosto (level 1) and an 8^th round KO over James Ellis. Pedro had been well up at the time. He lost twice in the level 4 tourney.

John Holman (6-4-1 3) – He knocked James Beattie out in 2, and battered Terry Daniels for an 8^th round TKO. He was KOd in R1 of the Final 4 by Williams, then lost the consolation match via an 11^th round TKO on cuts to Mayfield, a fight in which he had been winning. He won a UD over Brian London, ending London’s run in the challenge matches.

Imamu Mayfield (5-3-1 3) – He lasted until the Final 4, when Moil beat him. He was the king of the comebacks, KOing Ed Mahone in 6, when he had lost every round before that. Brian London decisioned him in a challenge match, and his start was setting.

James Beattie (5-5-1 5) – He suffered a 6th Round TKO at the hands of Jean-Pierre Coopman (level 2) in the box-in round, then stormed back in the challenge rounds. Along the way, he decimated Jeremy Williams with a 2^nd round TKO in a non-title match. He lost close SD matches to Johnny Paychek and Boone Kirkman (level 4). He powered his way into contention.

James Ellis (5-3 4) – He lasted until the Elite 8, when Moli KOd him in 8. He stopped Tom McNeeley twice, and notched a 5^th round TKO of level 4 Thad Spencer.

Ed “The Hammer” Malone (6-4 6) – Ed never backed up, even when he was rocked by a punch, and his bruising style pleased the crowd! He slugged his way into the Elite 8, where Mayfield KOd him in 6, Ed having won all 5 prior rounds! He KOd Imamu in 8 in a challenge match, proving the first result was a fluke. He split with the dangerous China Smith (level 2). He won a match in the level 4 tourney.

Brian London (5-3 2) – He did great in the challenge matches, getting a UD over Mayfield, notching a 4^th round TKO in a war with Ed Mahone, and he got a 9^th round TKO against Moli. John Holman decisioned him, while Johnny Paycheck ended his rise via a 3^rd round KO.

[bear]

Bear's brief summary.

My predictions are always wrong.


Enjoying the flashbacks, Mike

[mikehoudini]

Alex Miteff (5-3-1 4) – Alex is the current champion of this level. He won the title with a UD over Cedric Boswell in the challenge rounds, then notched a 1^st round KO defending the title against Boswell! He had drawn, then lost a SD to Olle Tandberg, but he KOd Olle in 10 in the challenge matches. He also twice stopped Timo Hoffman on cuts, in the 10^th and 5^th rounds. He dropped a non-title bout to Santé Amonti, and was TKOd in 1 by John Tate in the 5s tourney.

Cedric “The Bos” Boswell (12-7-1 7) – Cedric was the first champion, decimating all opposition as he rolled to a 7-0 start with 6 stoppages. He opened with a UD over Level 3 champion Jeremy Williams, got a 5^th round TKO over Tommy Morrison, then KOd Brian Nielsen in 8. Bos TKOd David Bey in 10, KOd Stan Ward in 11, and then won the title with a thrilling SD against Luis Firpo. Firpo floored him 3 times, but Bos returned the favor with 4 KDs of his own!

After losing twice to Miteff, he steamrollered his way into the Final 4 of the 5s tourney, where he fell to eventual champion Mike Weaver via a 10^th round KO. In the 9^th round, Bos floored weaver at the bell, and Mike barely made it to his feet at the count of 9! Before that bout, he drew and the KOd in 7 Young Bob Fitzsimmons, whipped Wayne Bethea amd got 3 KDs in winning against Joe Goddard!

Bos also fought in the 6s tourney, where Kirk Johnson took a UD over him. All in all, he has been the Man, with the most fights overall.

Boone Kirkman (9-3 3) – Boone was 8-1 with 2 stoppages in the 4s tourney, with 7 of his wins coming in the challenge rounds, as he stormed through to win that! He started with a SD over tough James Beattie, then Neon Leon Spinks KOd him in 5! In the challenge rounds, he got a UD over Beattie, and then avenged his loss to Spinks via a SD. Boone beat tough George Chaplin, won a close contest against Mario Schiesser, then showed surprising power in KOing Luis Firpo in Round 8, Firpo leading up to that point! Boone beat Coley Wallace, but never got a shot at Miteff. Kirkman didn’t fare as well in the 5s tourney, Cesar Brion taking his measure, but he did great overall!

Luis Angel Firpo (9-6 7) – Firpo would fight anyone. He lost the championship to Boswell in a war described above. He ended the 4s 5-4 with 5 stoppages. He TKOd Ed Mahone in 3, Jean-Francois Bergeron in 8, in a fight where he got 5 KDs to Bergeron’s 4, and Schiesser in 11, coming from behind! He KOd Derrick Jefferson in 1, but Jim Savage returned the favor. He led Boone Kirkman until Boone KOd him in Round 8. He won a SD over Stan Ward, and lost a war to Tony Galento (level 5) via an 8^th round KO. There was no one he wouldn’t fight, and Bear loved him for that!

Mario Schiesser (5-3-1 1) – Mario lost in the semis to Luis Firpo. He was TKOd in 11, but had been ahead, with 2 KDs. He TKOd Leon Spinks in 4, won a SD against Kevin McBride and a MD over Scott LeDoux.

Coley Wallace (7-3-2 1) – Coley boxed well, making it to the Sweet 16s, then doing even better in the challenge rounds. He scored a D and 2 UDs over Freddie Beshore, and had UDs over Jesse Ferguson, Stan Ward and Gus Dorazio. He won a narrow MD against Sante Amonti.

Sante Amonti (5-2 3) – A Sweet 16er, Sante avenged a narrow SD loss to David Bey with a 5^th round KO. His claim to fame was a non-title win over Alex Miteff via a UD.

Gus Dorazio (6-2-1 2) – Gus lost a close SD to Stan Ward in the Elite 8 and a later UD to Wallace. He stopped Billy Walker on cuts and won a close MD against Bert Whitehurst.

Stan Ward (4-4-1) – Stan made it to the Final 4 on his boxing skills, but then was knocked down 6 timed by Cedric Boswell and KOd in the 11^th. No one liked to fight him, because he dictated a defensive bout.

David Bey (4-2 3) – This bruiser made it to the Elite 8, where Boswell TKOd him in 10. He whipped Sante Amonti by a SD the first time around, then was KOd in 5.

Peter Maher (4-1 3) – He KOd Jumbo Cummings twice, in Round 8 (losing at time) & Round 10. He beat Roger Rischer but was TKOd in 7 by Bergeron.

Red Burman (4-2 1) – This battler from Baltimore beat rob Calloway. He was KOd in 10 by Kevin McBride when he was way up, but won a UD in the rematch. Schiesser ended his dream with a SD win.

Cliff Etienne (3-2 2) – He shocked Shannon Briggs with a 4^th round KO, and beat Derrick Jefferson. Jim Savage beat him, but his claim to fame came from a 9^th round stoppage on cuts over Firpo, a war he had been winning!

George Chaplin (3-2-1) – The classy Baltimore boxer never was stopped, his defensive skills showing through. Alas, he needed to generate more offense!

[mikehoudini]

December has been a way busy month at work, and I’ve only posted a little. I still need to post the highlights of the Fabulous Fives tourney, but, in honor of Boxing Day, I’m going to run an offshoot tourney, featuring heavyweights from the teens and twenties that either never had a shot at the title or failed in their attempt. I did this with the old board game and can showcase many of the same fighters.

There will be a box-in round comprised of 4 fighters, George Godfrey, Bill Brennan, Tom Heeney and Fred Fulton. They will fight for the remaining 2 slots of the 8 man field. The other 6 fighters include the celebrated contingent of Sam Langford, Sam McVey, Joe Jeannette and Harry Wills, as well as 2 of my sentimental favorites, Billy Miske and Paolino Uzcudun.

Whoever wins gets to challenge the champion of choice of his era. Maybe the runner-up also will have that opportunity. 10 years ago my wife-to-be threw a great Boxing Day party at my house, filled with wild game, culinary treats and plenty of drinks. This year I hoisted a few with my many wild cats in honor of these great fighters!

[bear]

I'll root for Godfrey

[mikehoudini]

George Godfrey drew Fred Fulton as an opponent, leaving Bill Brennan to take on Tom Heeney.

Godfrey vs. Fulton – George absorbed a hard Fulton hook, coming back to take the 1^st, 13-8, hurting Fulton with a hard shot to his noggin! Godfrey easily won the 2^nd, 13-2, hooking well. Fred rallied to take the 3^rd, 11-6, a hard hook to the midsection his major blow.

Godfrey reasserted himself with a brilliant 17-0 whitewash in the 4^th, landing several crisp blows and a string of uppercuts. He took the 5^th, 14-3, as he hurt Fulton with an uppercut, hard cross and nifty hook! He was well up through 5.

Fulton was running out of steam, but he parlayed a body hook and sharp uppercut into an 11-3 6^th. Godfrey hurt him with a booming hook early in the 7^th. He shocked George with a winging right and then a laser left. Godfrey countered with a straight right, but Fulton hammered home a cross at round’s end, sealing it, 18-9.

The fight was now much closer, but Fulton looked like he’d run a marathon. Godfrey shuffled around in the 8^th, biding his time, then unloaded a lights-out hook, and Fulton dropped for the count. Godfrey won by KO at 1:03 of the 8^th! Bear was happy!

Brennan vs. Heeney – Brennan landed the first good punch, a whistling combination. He was hooking well, and suddenly threw a cross that floored Heeney. Tom was back up at the count of 5, staving off further damage, but he lost the round, 18-4! Brennan seemed to take the 2^nd, 9-7, as he was busier, and his hook kept landing.

Heeney came back in the 3^rd. Brennan was warned for throwing one south of the border, and that got Heeney to bang away with his hook. He took the round, 11-5, and, more importantly, cut Brennan on his right eyelid.

Early in the 4^th, Brennan’s cut was reopened, and the fight halted temporarily. Bill tried to protect the eye, landing several nice punches and building up a lead. But Heeney found the mark eventually and the cut was worsened, causing another halt. The doc said they could continue, and Heeney promptly fired a hook that made the cut downright ugly. The fight was halted, and this time stopped for good, Tom Heeney winning on a TKO for cuts at 2:17 of the 4^th! Brennan had been winning, but the cut was in the wrong place.

[mikehoudini]

Here are the pairings for the first round:

Paolino Uzcudun vs. Sam Langford
Billy Miske vs. Harry Wills
Tom Heeney vs. Joe Jeannette
Sam McVey vs. George Godfrey

[Infinity]

Originally Posted by mikehoudini

Here are the pairings for the first round:

Paolino Uzcudun vs. Sam Langford
Billy Miske vs. Harry Wills
Tom Heeney vs. Joe Jeannette
Sam McVey vs. George Godfrey

Predictions:

Langford over Uzducun
Wills over Miske
Jeannette over Heeney
McVey over Godfrey

Round 2:

Langford over Wills
Jeannette over McVey

Final:

Langford over Jeannette