[Dr.K]

Following Jeff's excellent History of Heavyweights and Legends History of middleweights I am the latest to jump on the bandwagon. Using the same house rules that Jeff has used I am simming the Junior middleweight division. I'll keep the fights as brief as possible unless I think it's a good fight.

1962 and it's decided to incorporate a new division between welterweight and middleweight. The fighters chosent o fight for the vacant title are Denny Moyer from Portland Oregon and Joey Giambra from Buffalo, N.Y.


Portland: Denny Moyer vs Joey Giambra, October 1962

Giambra started the fight well stunning Moyer with solid punches, Moyer seemed nervous infront of his hometown crowd and looked in trouble at the end of the 1st round.The more experienced Giambra nearly finishes Moyer in an impressive third round of jabbing, for the rest of the fight Giambra clinched and spoiled and gained the ire of the Portland crowd to win a unanimous decision and be crowned World Champion in front of a jeering crowd.

Honolulu: Joey Giambra vs Stan Harrington, Ferbruary 1963

Fast start for Harrington behind much vocal support, Giambra comes out cold and suffers a cut lip in the first. Shaking off his nerves Giambra peppers Harrington with fast combinations and jabs to win the second from then on Giambra just as in the fight with Moyer indulges himself with catlike caution drawing boos from the crowd. Harrington frustrated reacts by coming forward and plays into straight into the cunning Giambra's hands. In the 7th round Giambra unleashes a right hand that drops Harrington on his back. The challenger fails to beat the count and Giambra has defended his title for the first time.

New Orleans: Joey Giambra vs Ralph Dupas, April 1963

Both fighters report to the bout in good shape, the fight starts with Dupas the favourite the aggressor, just as before Giambra shows canny boxing skills, counterpunching and picking off the advancing Dupas, The fight is close by the 9th until Dupas tires. Giambra the canny veteran then on frustrates Dupas with clinches, eye catching combinations and excellent ring movement to coast to a points victory over the dissapointed Dupas.

Baltimore:Joey Giambra vs Ralph Dupas, June 1963

A much anticpated re-match after their exciting first fight, Dupas vows that this time he will change his style from that of slugger to boxer to conserve energy which cost him in the first bout.

Giambra cut as early as the second round adopts a strategy of hit and run and but this time Dupas has come to box. In a highly controversial and entertaining bout it seems Giambra lands the more hurtful shots. Controversy in the ring when Dupas is deducted points for low blow and rabbit punching in the 10th and the 11th. Still Dupas' spirit is undimmed for the rest of the fight which sees Giambra resort to clinching and frustrating behind a his jab and trying to steal rounds with bright flurries to end rounds. At the end of 15 it's close but Dupas' two points must count against him. The judges come in with a unanimous decision.

They score it
142-141, 142-141 and 146-139 for the winner and..........new Junior Middleweight champion of the World......Ralph Dupas!!!!
much to the disbelief of Joey Giambra who leaves the ring muttering "fix".

[Dr.K]

Milan: Ralph Dupas vs Sandro Mazzinghi, September 1963

The American title holder arrives in Milan to defend his title against impressive Italian Sandro Mazzinghi at the Vigorelli Vellodrome. Dupas has to bring his superior defensive skills and counterpunching into play to negate the Italian's better power.

Dupas operating behind his jab takes the early rounds to quieten the hostile Italian crowd, by the middle rounds however Mazzinghi has warmed up and nearly stops Dupas with a torrid attack in the 5th, Mazzinghi dominates the rest of the way and despite a brief 8th round rally from Dupas, the champion is felled three times in the 9th the last time by a jolting uppercut, in no fit state to continue, the fight is stopped and Mazzinghi in front of a jubilant crowd is crowned World Champion.

[Dr.K]

Sydney: Sandro Mazzinghi vs Ralph Dupas, December 1963

Ralph Dupas enters the fight confidently, just like the 2nd Joey Giambra fight he elects to change his style, he wants to go toe to toe with Mazzinghi, he is in tip top shape.

Dupas dominates the opening stanza with neat work and great skills and not giving the suprised Mazzinghi time to work. But for rest of the fight has to evade Mazzinghi's marauding style and despite support from the Aussie crowd takes a severe hammering in the 7th and succumbs to knockdown's in the 12th and two more in the 13th before bing saved from further punishment from the referee.

[Dr.K]

Genoa: Sandro Mazzinghi vs Tony Montano, October 1964

Mazzinghi after four easy tune up fights takes on veteran American Tony Montano who after succesive losses to rising star Curtis Cokes, Stan Harrington and Mazzinghi's Italian rival Nino Benvenutti and already with a loss to Mazzinghi is lucky to get the fight. Mazzinghi KO's Montano in the 12th round.

(Not simmed Montano not in the database).


Rome: Sandro Mazzinghi vs Furtunato Manca, December 1964

Mazzinghi takes on European Welterweight Champion, Manca in an all Italian matchup. Mazzinghi is fresh off a 7 round KO win against Gaspar Ortega in a non-title fight in Rome.

Mazzinghi is taken the full 15 rounds by Manca in a fight he easily won. After the fight the Italian public clamour for a fight against European Middleweight Champion, Nino Benvenuti.

(Not simmed as Manca not in database).

Milan: Sandro Mazzinghi vs Nino Benvenutti, June 1965.

The rugged Mazzinghi comes to the ring after three non-title fights to face current European Middleweight Champion, Nino Benvenuti in a matchup which captures the Italian public's imagination. Benvenuti is an impressive 56-0 with a reputation as a slick boxer who outshone 18 year old Cassius Clay at the Rome Olympics in 1960 when he won the Best Boxer Trophy.

A fast start for the champ with his superior aggression, Mazzignhi stings Benvenuti with an uppercut which serves to wake Benvenuti up, by the 5th Benvenuti with his boxing skills has found his rythym with sweet combinations and straight rights which keep the champ off balance. The middle rounds bring the crowd to their feet with exciting toe to toe boxing with both boxers letting the leather fly, but the challenger finally turns the fight in the 9th as Mazzinghi begins to tire and his eye begins to close with a cut on his face. Mazzinghi rallies briefly in the 10th. But one round later a lighting fast combination takes down Mazzinghi who struggles up at 9, but then a sweet uppercut from Benvenutti decks the champ again and though he struggles to his feet it's allover!!

The Milan crowd roar their approval of a good tough fight.

[Dr.K]

Rome: Nino Benvenuti vs Sandro Mazzinghi, December 1965.

The return matchup of the two dominant Italians of the division. Explosive 1st round as Mazzinghi lays it on Benvenutti and actually has the champion in trouble, but Benveniti thrills the crowd with a blistering combination that knocks Mazzinghi down at the bell. Mazzinghi and Benvenuti then entertain the crowd with 10 further rounds of flashy, bruising championship boxing, with Mazzinghi scoring with heavy hooks and uppercuts but Benvenutti just ahead on the cards due to flashy combinations and lightning rapier like jabs and expert ring generalship. However by the 10th Benvenuti is dead on his feet and with his right eye swollen just escapes a torrid blitz by Mazzinghi.With five rounds to go Benvenuti cannot stop further injury to his closed eye and despite his protests the referee has no option but to stop the fight. Mazzinghi is awarded the victory by TKO in a brilliant fight


Seoul, South Korea: Sandro Mazzinghi vs Ki-Soo Kim, June 1966

Mazzinghi now European Light-Middleweight champion, takes on southpaw, Ki-Soo Kim, (20-0-2). The fight starts with both trading blows in the first two rounds. In the third however Mazzinghi takes command with a sharp combination dropping the southpaw to the canvass. Kim rises at 9. With enough time left in the round, Mazzingi turns Kim's legs to jelly with a sweet uppercut and with blood pouring from Kim's eyes after another impressive series of punches from the champion the referee calls a halt to the fight at 2.35 of the round to give Mazzinghi an impressive TKO.

[Dr.K]

Mazzinghi is proving to be a good champion especially with his victory over Benvenuti. He announces his decision to fight in Seoul and defend his title against veteran Stan Harrington.

His style of power punching and ability to box when he has to is making him the first star of the division. I also liked Joey Giambra too and felt he was robbed against Dupas!!!......may do a re-match non-title fight with both boxers at the end of their careers as the final match in the rubber.


Baltimore: Joey Giambra vs Ralph Dupas, October 1966

With their series split 1-1, the two ex-champions have decided on a re-match. Though it has no bearing on a future championship tilt at Sandro Mazzinghi it's a fight the public want to see.

Cagey first three rounds, with Giambra as expected spoiling. Then the action hots up with both boxers trading leather and not giving an inch. In the 7th Giambra is docked a point for holding and hitting in a round where he looked dominant for the first time.
Giambra comes out fired up for the 8th and midway through the round takes advantage of a wild Dupas punch to connect with a sweet hook to KO Dupas. The 36 year old Giambra holds his arms aloft. Revenge is sweet.

I feel better now, I always felt Giambra was a decent champ robbed of his shot at immortality by never facing Sandro Mazzinghi, maybe I will match them up in another sim.......

[Dr.K]

Seoul: Sandro Mazzinghi vs Stan Harrington, December 1966.

Stan Harrington (63-17-3) makes his second attemp to gain the title. Last time out he was knocked out by in the 7th round by Joey Giambra. Mazzinghi impressive in his bout against Kim last time out has been invited back to Korea to defend his title.

Harrrington the underdog surprises the champion trading leather in an exciting first three rounds, by the 4th Mazzinghi asserts himself his impressive pressure fighting pays off when he drops Harrington in the 9th for an 8 count. Mazzinghi finished the challenger with a series of hooks, combinations and jabs to get the TKO Stoppage with 16 econds left in the round.

Seoul: Sandro Mazzinghi vs Freddie Little, September 1967

(WBC & WBA Title Fight:12 rounds)

Mazzinghi still Eurropean Light-Middleweight Champion is back in Seoul where he has become a firm crowd favourite since his victory over Kim has accepted the challenge to defend against the dangerous KO artist Freddie "The Fighting School Teacher" Little ( 37-3-0).

Mazzinghi stormed out for the fight and hurt Little in the opening round with the Seoul crowd brought to their feet. Little regrouped and fought back electing to stand to toe with Mazzinghi in the middle rounds. By the 8th Little had the champ in trouble for the first time, but Mazzinghi dug deep and responded himself in the 9th and 10tth with Little on the run and both boxers exhausted. Little is deducted a point for rabbit punching in the 11th and scored with big shots to the head of Mazzinghi, but Mazzinghi took advantage of a wild cross by Little to unleash a great uppercut that dropped Little on his back. Little got back up at 3 to close the round with the crowd on it's feet once again. The final round was all Mazzinghi and if the fight was in doubt, the champion in his most impressive performance to date rained a heavy combination to drop Little at the closing bell. The decision was unanimous Mazzinghi was still the champion of the world.



Milan: Sandro Mazzinghi vs Ki-Soo Kim, May 1968

(WBA & WBC Title: 12 rounds)

Mazzinghi with his recents fights defending his European Championship belt, brings his world defence home to face Korean Ki-Soo Kim in a re-match.

Just as in the first match both boxers start fast, with Mazzinghi impressive with clean shots in the 4th and 5th Kim responds with accurate shots himself taking control in the 6th and 7th and hurts the champion in the 8thbut is clearly exhausted, a thudding shot to the ribcage drops Kim on his back in the 10th the champion though tired cannot put Kim down again in the final two rounds but Mazzinghi wins by unanimous decision to remain champion again.

Mazzinghi is now 9-1 in World Championship Fights at Light-Middleweight.

[Dr.K]

Rome: Sandro Mazzinghi vs Freddie Little, October 1968

Freddie Little comes to the ring determined to win the belt he fought so valiantly for the year before. Mazzinghi has held the title for three years since his 2nd fight with Nino Benvenuti.
The champion comes into the ring with rumours of undertraining, the Little camp say their man is in tip top shape.

Little starts out fast and to the shock of the crowd pierces Mazzinghi's inside defence with a blow to the ribs and the champion went down for a 7 count in the 2nd round. Stung into action, Mazzinghi storms back in the 6th round and drops Little to the canvass for a 7 count. Little recovers and takes the next three rounds. With the fight slipping away Mazzinghi needs to come up big and he did with a jolting uppercut in the 11th to put Little on the canvass for the 2nd time. Still not sure of victory Mazzinghi goes for the KO in thr 12th and final round and is rewarded when a body shot puts Little down on his haunches for his 3rd knockdown. Little survives until the end but it is clear Mazzinghi has defended his title yet again and the judges confirm it with a unanimous decision.

[Dr.K]

Las Vegas: Freddie Little vs Stanley Hayward, March 1969

The great Sandro Mazzinghi is champion no longer when the WBC and WBA strip him of his title when he failed to meet an approved challenger. They instead match up Freddie Little and former welterweight Stanley Hayward for the title.

An even start to the fight until Little drops Hayward with a great hook to the jaw at the end of the 3rd. Hayward is dropped again by a sweet uppercut in the 4th and sheers gets him through some severe punishment in the 5th. But in the 8th with brave Hayward suffering damage to his right eye the referee calls a halt to the fight for Little win his first World Title at last by TKO.

[Dr.K]

Osaka: Freddie Little vs Hisao Minami, September 1969. WBC/WBA

This fight is set up for an easy first defence of his title, and so it proves to be when Little KO's Minami in two rounds.

(Minami not in database).

Berlin: Freddie Little vs Gerhard Piaskpowy, March 1970. WBC/WBA

Veteran Little defends his title against German European Light-Middleweight champion, Piaskpowy. In a tough gruelling fight, the iron willed challenger roared on by his homecrowd takes the off colour Little the full 12 rounds and impresses the judges to score an upset majority decision to be crowned the new undisputed champion.

Monza: Gerhard Piaskpowy vs Carmelo Bossi, July 1970. WBC/WBA

A partisan crowd welcomes the veteran Bossi to the ring, but thats as excited as they will get as Bossi and Piaskpowy engage in a tactical bore with Bossi winning the fight on a unanimous decision on the strength of his superior boxing. Bossi is the thrid Italian champion after greats Mazzinghi and Benvenutti.

Madrid: Carmelo Bossi vs Jose Hernandez, April 1971. WBA/WBC

Bossi is held to a draw in his first defence almost a year after he won his first title. (Hernandez in not in database).

Tokyo: Carmelo Bossi vs Koichi Wajima , October 1971. WBC/WBA

Wajima ranked the most dangerous man in the division shows his credentials by decking Bossi for a 4 count in the 2nd round. But from then on the Italian champion shows his heart and ring generalship to frustrate the dangerous Wajima and it is no surprise at the end when the fight is declared a draw. It is Bossi is proving a stubborn fighter.


Tokyo: Carmelo Bossi vs Domenico Tiberia, May,1972. WBC/WBA

Bossi has an easy defence against Tiberia knoking him out in the first round. (Tiberia not in database).

Tokyo: Carmelo Bossi vs Matt Donovan, October, 1972. WBC/WBA

Yet another easy victory against suspect competition. Donovan is no match for Bossi who knocks the challenger out in the third round. (Donovan not in database).