World Boxing Federation

[Tosti]

Champion - George Godfrey

1. Bob Fitzsimmons
2. Peter Jackson
3. John L Sullivan
4. Jim Dunn
5. Jimmy Ryan
6. Jake Kilrain
7. Jack Boylan
8. Frank Slavin
9. Mike Conley
10. Martin Neary

[Tosti]

Champion - Jack Dempsey

1. Billy Baker
2. John P Clow
3. Pete McCoy
4. George LaBlanche
5. Tom Henry
6. W C McLellan
7. Tom Ferguson
8. Jimmy Murray
9. Charley Mitchell

[Tosti]

Champion - Harry Gilmore

1. Jem Carney
2. Billy Myer
3. Jack Keenan
4. Barney Donovan
5. Billy Dacey
6. Mike Daly
7. Harry Force
8. Ed McDonald
9. Joe Heiser

[Tosti]

Andy Bowen Lightweight USA
Paddy Duffy Welterweight USA
Jimmy Carroll Lightweight USA
Jack McAuliffe Lightweight Ireland

[Tosti]

Jackson makes a winning return

Peter Jackson (6-1) marked his stateside comeback with a straightforward 9th round cuts stoppage win over Jim Dunn(5-3). The bout could not be described as a 'classic' with the Australian only ever 'doing enough'.

This was the first USA bout for Jackson since his controversial WBF Final Eliminator points loss against John L Sullivan. The Australian is likely to feature on the forthcoming George Godfrey V Bob Fitzsimmons Heavyweight world title fight.

[Tosti]

George Godfrey V Bob Fitzsimmons

WBF Heavyweight Title

Godfrey defends his title for the first time in 18 months. He enters the ring the 2/1 against underdog to defend his title.

Godfrey may have overtrained for this fight, whilst the challenger looks in excellent shape.

Round 1 - Dramatic first round as Fitzsimmons is quick out of the gate. A huge right hand sends Godfrey down for a six count, the Champion fends off the Englishman to survive the round. 10/8 Fitzsimmons.

Round 2 - A round all about recovery for Godfrey. The challenger does all the meaningful work. 20/17 Fitzsimmons.

Round 3 - Another round for 'Cornish Bob'. Little or no inroad from Godfrey so far. 30/26 Fitzsimmons.

Round 4 - The pattern continues until Godfrey lands his first meaningful punch of the night, a strong right hook which seemed to trouble the Englishman.

Round 5 - Best round of the fight so far, both fighters trading in the middle of the ring. Fitzsimmons still has the workrate/power advantage. 50/44 Fitzsimmons

Round 6 - Godfrey comes out with a slight swelling round the right eye, the first signs of damage in this one-sided encounter.

Round 7 - Good work at the start of the round from the Englishman culminating in a heavy right hand combination which sends Godfrey to the canvas for an 8 count. Fitsimmons pummels Godfrey in his own corner, until landing a short right cross which ends Godfrey's world reign.

A totally one-sided affair, the officials had it (60-54),(60-53) and (60-53). None of the judges gave Godfrey a round.

[Tosti]

The new WBF Heavyweight Champion will likely defend his title for the first time in New York, with Madison Square Garden the likely venue.

Fitzsimmons, who impressed greatly when taking the title from George Godfrey, stated his intention to defend against the winner of the ongoing American Heavyweight Tournament.

The four fighters left at the semi final stage of the tournament are Martin Neary, Jack Welsh, Jim Dunn and John L Sullivan. If the latter were to prove victorious a bout in a larger outside arena could be considered.

On the undercard Australian Peter Jackson claimed another victory, he is quietly establishing himself as the No. 1 contender in the division and a well deserved title shot is surely on its way.

[Tosti]

Lightweight Update - Madison Square Garden - 3rd July 1884

Jack McAuliffe V Billy Myer

In his biggest fight to date New York based Irishman Jack McAuliffe entered
the ring in less than pristine condition, and how he paid for it. A warm favourite before the fight McAuliffe was fatigued by the fourth round and never imposed himself afterwards. Myer held the workrate and power puching advantage through the fight, and coasted to an easy points victory.

Jem Carney V Jimmy Carroll

Jem Carney outfought Jimmy Carroll to line up a Lightweight WBF Final Eliminator bought against Billy Myer. Ex champ Carney was in control from the start and had built up a big points advantage before dropping Myer in the seventh round with a right uppercut. Myer survived the full ten rounds but could never get in the fight and the decision was a formality.

Myer and Carney are likely to meet in late August, with the victor challenging Harry Gilmore for his world crown by the year end.

[Tosti]

Bob Fitzsimmons will make the first defence of his WBF Heavyweight crown against John L Sullivan at the MSG in September.

Sullivan earned a crack at the title after becomming the inaugural USBA Heavyweight Champ when he disposed of Martin Neary with a right hook in the second of a twelve round contest.

The fighters have met previously when the Englishman was marginally ahead before the fight was stopped due to the condition of Sullivan's left eye.

The undercard is likely to feature a WBF Middleweight title defence for Jack Dempsey and a bout at Heavyweight between ex-WBF Champ George Godfrey and current No.1 contender Peter Jackson.

[CONN CHRIS]

Reading the names in your posts makes me wish TBCB could simulate longer bouts. Nice job with this Tosti.

Christopher

[bear]

The common distance for main events in the UK was 20 rounds well into the 1920s.

Bear

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

Reading the names in your posts makes me wish TBCB could simulate longer bouts. Nice job with this Tosti.

Christopher

[Tosti]

McAlpine survives a scare

Tom McAlpine V Paddy Duffy

Tom McAlpine became the inaugural WBF Welterweight Champion in his hometown of New York. Although McAlpine dominated throughout he had to survive a scare in the ninth stanza when he was put down by a right to the body from Paddy Duffy, however he was able to scramble to his feet and survived the rest of the round.

Duffy, other than in the ninth was unable to sustain long periods of pressure and when the final bell sounded the result was inevitable. There was some criticism of the WBF afterwards, for sanctioning the fight as there is general concern in boxing circles as of the lack of quality in the division. In McAlpine's defence, he can only beat the man in front of him, and after all who would deny the 40 year old his moment of glory.

After the fight McAlpine stated that he would likely make one defence before retiring.

For the record the judges had it (146-138),(144,140) and (146-139) respectively.

[Tosti]

WBF Heavyweight Final Eliminator

Peter Jackson (7-1) V George Godfrey (4-3)
12 Rounds

Jackson enters the ring in great shape whilst Godfrey may have peaked.

Rounds 1-3 - The fight is well balanced for the first three rounds. Unfortunately for Jackson he returns to his corner with a slight swelling round his left eye.

Round 5 - Jackson ups his workrate, he is undoubtedly concerned that his eye damage may end the fight prematurely. 48/47 Jackson.

Round 6 - All Jackson, boxing beautifully behind his jab and landing solid combinations. 58/56 Jackson.

Round 7 - Godfrey edges the round but sustains damage to his right eye. 67/66 Jackson.

Round 8 - Godfrey once again steals the round but looks to be running on empty. Time could be catching up on the 31 year old. Jackson's corner work on a cut under his right eye at the end of the round. 76/76.

Round 10 - The turning point of the fight. Jackson starts the round well against a visibly tiring Godfrey before dropping him with a right hook to the body. Godfrey gets to his feet at the count of three and sees out the round. 96/93 Jackson.

Round 11 - Jackson edges it against a understandably defensive Godfrey.

Round 12 - As Godfrey leaves the corner for the last round the referee calls in the doctor who on inspection of Godfrey's facial injuries calls an end to proceedings.

A brave effort by Godfrey, but his age and the ability of the Australian was too much for him.

The judges had it (104-104), (106-103) and (106-103) for Jackson going into the last.

[Tosti]

Jack Dempsey (5-0) V Billy Baker (9-1)

Dempsey's first defence since stopping Baker to win the title in November 1883.

Dempsey enters the ring in great condition, whilst Baker has trained hard for the rematch.

Rounds 1 and 2 - Good start from Dempsey, boxing well and seemingly finding his target at will. Baker goes back to his corner at the end of the second round with a swollen left eye.

Rounds 3 and 4 - Dempsey continues to outbox the challenger. 40/36 Dempsey.

Rounds 5,6 and 7 - All Dempsey, who is outclassing Baker. The challenger is visibly tiring and his left eye is in a bad way. Baker has yet to win a round.

Round 8 - The referee moves to the corner at the start of the round and calls a halt to the fight, Baker's left eye is completely shut.

Jack Dempsey retains his Middleweight title.

At the end of round 7 the judges had it (70-63),(70-63) and (69-64) for Dempsey.

[Tosti]

Bob Fitsimmons (5-0) V John L Sullivan (10-3)

Both fighters enter the ring in excellent condition, has Sullivan finally realised that the key to his success lies in his conditioning.

Round 1 - Great start for Sullivan. With a minute left in the round the 'Boston Strongboy' lands a clean right hook which briefly puts the champion on the canvas. 10/8 Sullivan.

Rounds 2 thru 5 - Nip and tuck, strangely quiet after the fireworks of the first stanza. 48/46 Sullivan.

Round 6 - Canny start to the round by Sullivan, who then explodes a big right hook on the Englishmans jaw. Fitzsimmons barely beats the count with half the round remaining. Fitzsimmons sees out the round but is badly shaken. 58/54 Sullivan.

Round 7 - Another good round for Sullivan who is landing at will on the tiring champion.

Round 8 - A huge right hand from Sullivan at the opening, he appears to be on his way to regaining the title. The Champion is tiring badly, he appears to have given up on defence as he wades forward with little success. Sullivan is hitting Fitzsimmons at will, the challenger pleads with the referee to step in, another big hook from the American champion hits home and the referee answers Sullivan's call. Fitzsimmons is unhappy at the stoppage, but Sullivan has dominated the Englishman and it is officially all over.

Sullivan has regained his crown!

The judges had it (67-63)(68-62) and (68-62) all for Sullivan at the end of the 7th round.

[Tosti]

New WBF heavyweight champion John L Sullivan has been ordered by the WBF to meet No.1 contender Peter Jackson no later than May next year.

Sullivan, who already has a controversial points win over Jackson to his name, has also been forced to relinquish his USBA title without defending it. Under WBF rules, no holder of the 'world crown' can hold a regional title.

It was an excellent victory for Sullivan, and surely his pre-fight condition was the overriding factor. It will be interesting to see what condition he turns up in against Jackson.

[Tosti]

Madison Square Garden - 7th November 1884

George Godfrey V Jack Welsh

USBA Heavyweight Title

Jack Welsh caused something of an upset when stopping ex WBF champ George Godfrey inside four rounds. Godfrey however was a victim of 'lady luck', he was outclassing Welsh, when a right hand from the underdog caused a huge gash under the Canadian's left eye, the referee stopped the action and immediately called an end to the fight.

It's now back to the drawing board for Godfrey, whilst Welsh has every intention of enjoying his time as the North American Champion.

[Tosti]

WBF Lightweight Final Eliminator

Jem Carney V Billy Myer

In a display of immense power, Billy Myer ended this final eliminator after only two rounds of a scheduled twelve.

In the second round round Myer repeatedly caught the former WBF Champion with heavy right hands. With a minute left in the round, Myer threw a big right cross which caught Carney clean and sent him to the canvas for a count of six. When he got to his feet Carney was unable to defend himself and the referee stepped in to end the contest.

Myer must now have more than a 'punchers chance' of defeating Gilmore and lifting the WBF crown. However it should be remembered that Myer and Gilmore fought two years ago, when Gilmore KO'd Myer in the tenth round.

[Tosti]

1884 WBF Fighter Of The Year

John L Sullivan

1884 WBF Fight Of The Year

Harry Gilmore TKO Jem Carney

[Tosti]

Champion - John L Sullivan (11-3)

1. - Peter Jackson (8-1)
2. - Bob Fitzsimmons (7-1)
3. - Jim Fell (1-0)
4. - Jim Dunn (6-4)
5. - Jack Welsh (3-2) (USBA)
6. - George Godfrey (5-5)
7. - Jimmy Ryan (0-3)
8. - Joe Lannon (0-2)
9. - Denver Ed Smith (0-3)
10. - Jim Harvey (1-2)