[JCWeb]

1926 JWW Title Bouts

WBA

No title defenses in 1926, as Pinkey Mitchell retains the belt, see WW posts which recount his exploits in making a temporary move up in weight class to successfully challenge for that belt. A mandatory defense is expected for 1927.

USBA: On the other hand, there was much more action with four USBA title clashes, and the belt changed hands in three of them. First, Basil Galiano defended versus Spug Myers, overcoming an early cut to score a late knockdown in the 10th en route to a UD 12 win. Then Johnny Jadick challenged for the title, recovering from an early beating around both eyes to display some slick boxing skills, enough to gain a MD 12 verdict from the judges to lift the belt. Jadick took on Myers in his initial defense, and this time Spug rose to the challenge, opening a cut on the nose of Jadick that reopened twice before leading to a very late stoppage when Jadick was ahead on two of the three cards. Myers by TKO 12 (cuts stoppage). Then, another of the new guard, Mushy Callahan, was up to the task, ripping a gash over Myer's left eye that eventually worsened, leading to another late cuts stoppage. Callahan by TKO 10 (cuts).

Jan 1927 JWW Division Profile

Total: 16 RL: 9 TC: 7

RL by Career Stage:

End: 0
Post: 0
Prime: 3
Pre: 5
Beginning: 1 (1 New)

Rated: 6
800+: 1
500+: 2
200+: 4

Jan 1927 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from Jan 1926 in Parens):

Champ: Pinkey Mitchell 28-10-3 (12) (1056) (NC)
1. Mushy Callahan 15-1 (7) (550) (New) (USBA Champ)
2. Johnny Jadick 15-3-1 (5) (314) (-1)
3. Spug Myers 18-5-4 (7) (254) (-1)
4. Harry Wallach 12-4 (8) (138) (New)
5. Basil Galiano 22-16 (4) (138) (-2)

Comments: Mitchell made a successful foray into the WW ranks during the year, capturing the WBA WW belt for three months, then rebounding to score a UD 10 over aging veteran Jack Britton. Callahan dropped a UD 10 to Jack Kid Berg but recovered by capturing the USBA title and also besting two WWs, OPBF title contender Macario Flores and Alex Trambitas. Jadick also contended for the USBA JW belt, drew with WW Tony Vaccarelli after besting Wallach in a MD 10. Myers scored a UD 10 triumph over Wallach and battled to a draw with aging WW veteran Frankie Barrieau. Wallach went 0-4 for the year, losing both JWW tilts in addition to dropping a MD 10 to WW Ruby Goldstein and a UD to Meyer Cohen. Galiano slipped in the rankings despite winning three of four, including a split duke over Alex Trambitas and a TKO over aging WW Ray Long, his only loss being the USBA title bout with Jadick.

Prospects: Jack Kid Berg is poised to emerge as a top new talent after going 14-0 (7) in his first 14 bouts. He has looked impressive in UD 10 wins over WW Jack Hood and JWW contender Callahan. Mickey Cohen had more difficulty, suffering back-to-back KO losses in 1926 to WWs Venturi and Goldstein; he stands at 11-2 (7) heading into 1927.

Retirements: None, and none contemplated in near future as no one in the division is at Post-Prime even.

Looking Ahead: There will be a mandatory WBA title defense coming up in the first part of the year for Mitchell. Look for Berg to crack the ratings at or near the top contender spot. Will have to either create a GBU or CBU belt for him, or perhaps allow him to take on Mitchell or whomever for the WBA title even though he won't be at Prime career stage. The one newcomer to the division for 1927 will be Battling Shaw, who in real life was Mexico's first official World Champion (in the JWW class, of course).