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On to the year-end write-ups, starting with the HW Division. Note that the commentary this time around will be a bit more abbreviated, given that I lost part of the history file recently.

HW 1932 Title Bouts

WBA: Tuffy Griffith began the year as the Champion, defended versus Jack Sharkey (TKO 11), then lost the title to Max Schmeling (TKO 6). Max defended once, besting Larry Gains (TKO 7).

NABF: The belt changed hands three times in three bouts, as Joe Banovic edged George Godfrey (SD 12), then Elmer Ray downed Banovic (UD 12), followed by Young Stribling, who took out Ray (TKO 10). Stribling then flattened Bearcat Wright (KO 5) in his first defense.

USBA: Jack Sharkey twice defended this belt, which he has held since 1930. His victims were King Levinsky (KO 5) and Joe Banovic (SD 12).

CBU: Tommy Farr began 1932 with this belt, defending against George Thompson (UD 12), but then Larry Gains regained the title when he floored Farr (KO 1) inside the first round.

GBU: No defenses in 1932 by Farr, who retains the title for another year.

EBU: Schmeling began the year with this title, defending against Jose Santo (TKO 10) before successfully challening for the WBA title. The vacant belt was then claimed by Otto Von Porat, who stopped Paulino Uzcudan (TKO 10). Then Tommy Farr made up for the loss of the CBU title by capturing this belt, taking a close decision over Von Porat (MD 12).

OPBF: Tom Heeney, the "Hard Rock Down Under," regained this title for the second time, taking a decision from George Thompson (UD 12).

HW Division Stats
Total: 216 RL: 136 TC: 80

End: 9
Post: 42
Prime: 47
Pre: 26
Beginning: 12
New: 10

Rated: 97
800+: 16
500+: 45
200+: 84

Jan 1933 HW Rankings (Perf Pts and Changes from 1932 in Parens):

Champion: Max Schmeling 30-3 (23) (1457) (+4)
1. Young Stribling 43-6-2 (24) (1569) (+1) (NABF)
2. Jack Sharkey 28-7 (17) (1465) (-1) (USBA)
3. Tuffy Griffith 26-5-1 (16) (1409) (-3)
4. Larry Gains 32-9 (20) (1146) (+2)
5. Joe Banovic 25-6 (8) (1084) (+3)
6. Tommy Farr 28-5-1 (12) (1084) (-1) (EBU, GBU)
7. Elmer Ray 24-4 (15) (1040) (NC)
8. Patsy Perroni 22-2 (3) (972) (+12)
9. George Godfrey 44-14-2 (32) (971) (-7)
10. Jim Maloney 26-10-1 (23) (925) (+1)

Others: 24. Tom Heeney 33-17-1 (11) (708) (+6) (OPBF)

Comments: Stribling and Griffith at Post in 1933, along with Godfrey and Heeney; others listed above still at Prime. Dropping out of the top group from last year were Irishman Jack Doyle, now #11 at 26-12-3 (19), down one spot from #10 last year. Taking a much bigger tumble was Jack Gross, who fell 14 spots to #23. Top newcomers to the rankings: Steve Hamas, 15-0 (11), at #31, and Art Lasky, 14-0-1 (14), at #32. Jimmy Braddock ended the year at #41, and Primo Carnera at #43. Max Baer ended his sophomore season on the rankings list at #25, having compiled a 17-1 (16) career start.

Prospects: Jersey Joe Walcott, now 13-0 (12), tops the list, along with unbeaten Brit Jack Peterson, also 13-0 (but with 10 KOs). Leroy Haynes, Walter Neusel, Clarence "Red" Burman and Arturo Godoy all suffered their first career setbacks.

Retirements:
Sully Montgomery (USA) 1920-32 30-15-1 (10) NABF Champ Highest Rank: 20
Joe McAuliffe (USA) 1921-32 29-16-2 (18) No Titles Highest Rank: 29
Lanky Ralph Smith (USA) 1922-32 23-15-2 (8) NABF Champ Highest Rank: 5
Tom Sayers (USA) 1925-32 18-12 (13) No Titles Highest Rank: 27
Bud Gorman (USA) 1915-32 31-28-6 (15) No Titles Highest Rank: 17
James Jackson (USA) 1922-32 20-17 (13) No Titles Highest Rank: 50
Luis Firpo (ARG) 1917-32 33-22-2 (25) No Titles Highest Rank: 20

Outlook: Ten newcomers to further swell the ranks of the division in 1933, but it's still over a year until the debut of Joe Louis in 1934. Schmeling could be set for a long run as Champ, although Baer (now just two bouts away from Prime) could emerge as a strong contender.