My Universe

[JCWeb]

Here’s a summary of the ring action around the world from the second half of August 1932, covering a total of 58 bouts -- including a big "Superfight" at the end of the month, matching the two longest reigning WBA Champions in my Uni.

Aug. 19, 1932: Friday night fights “Down Under” in Melbourne, Australia. Main event matches the current OPBF MW Champion, Aussie Ron Richards, with former Commonwealth Champ, Billy Bird. Richards wastes no time, dropping Bird in the opening round with a picture-perfect combination. Richards follows up in round three when he staggers Bird with a big left. However, Bird is able to get in a few shots of his own, enough to cause noticeable swelling to appear under Richards’ left eye by the end of the fourth round. In round five, Richards sustains a cut over the eye. Bird’s left eye starts swelling up in the later rounds. The bout goes to decision, and Richards takes a UD 10 (99-91, 98-93, 97-93). The Aussie’s career totals move to 20-2-2 (17) after the win, and Bird slips to 33-13-4 (15).

Aug. 20, 1932: Back to Europe, and the next card is in Sweden, at the Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg. WBA BW Champ Johnny King makes his first title defense, facing ex-Champ and current USBA titleholder Archie Bell. King takes a few rounds to settle in, building a slight lead through the early rounds. However, things begin to change when the Champ suffers a cut over his left eye in round seven. The cut proves to be difficult to control, and Bell starts to take advantage with some targeted long-range punching. Then, in round 11, Bell also suffers a cut over his left eye. However, the cut over King’s eye is reopened in round 12 and, with blood spurting out, the ref calls a halt, ignoring protests from King’s corner. Bell regains the WBA BW title via a TKO 12 with the cuts stoppage; it’s the third new Champ in three 1912 WBA title bouts. Post-fight marks: Bell, 32-7-2 (9); King, 26-3 (13).

Aug. 20, 1932: Next card is at Miami. No titles at stake, but the main event is a compelling HW matchup featuring ex-Champ Young Stribling and top contender Jim Maloney. Stribling has a huge opening round to get off to a great start. Maloney is unable to get on track, and in round four he walks into a Stribling combination. Maloney hits the canvas and is unable to beat the count. KO 4 for Stribling. Post-fight records are 41-6-2 (22) for Stribling; 25-10-1 (23) for Maloney.

Aug. 26, 1932: Next Friday night card is at Panama City. Main event features two top MWs in a non-title fight, with Johnny Romero facing veteran Jock Malone in a rematch of an earlier meeting that went Romero’s way (via a UD 10). In the opening round, Romero staggers Malone with a hard cross. Malone continues to be on the receiving end of most of the leather being thrown, such that by the end of the second round there is noticeable swelling under Malone’s left eye. Then, in round three, Romero finishes Malone with a strong hook that puts the veteran down and out. The KO 3 win lifts Romero to 23-4 (16); Malone ends the bout at 32-20-4 (13).

Aug. 27, 1932: The scene shifts back to the UK at Earls Court in London. Co-main events headline a relatively modest card, with no titles at stake. The first co-feature does have WBA JWW king Jack Kid Berg back in the ring, once again stepping up to WW, given the paucity of credible challengers in the junior weight class. His opponent is aging veteran Bermondsey Billy Wells; the two battled to a standstill in 1929, but now Wells is past his prime and less of a challenge for the “Whitechapel Whirlwind.” Berg appears to have the upper hand in the early going, but things take a turn near the end of round three when a nasty cut appears over the right eye of the JWW Champ. The cut proves to be difficult to control, and when it is re-opened later in the bout, the ref calls an immediate halt. Wells takes a TKO 8 due to the cuts stoppage – an unfortunate result for Berg, who has now lost three of his last six outings. Post-fight marks: 50-17-3 (18) for Wells; 29-4-3 (13) for Berg. The second co-main event matches NABF LH Champion and top 10 contender Young Tony Marullo with long-time GBU Champ Gypsy Daniels. Two prior matchups have gone the distance and both ended in Marullo’s favor (one UD and one MD). Marullo is on target in the early rounds, and his repeated blows are sufficient to cause some early swelling under the right eye of Daniels in the third round. Daniels is rocked back on his heels by repeated thrusts from the American fighter, and near the end of the round the ref steps in to save the game British Champion from further punishment. TKO 3 for Marullo. Post-fight career marks: Marullo, 31-12-4 (17); Daniels, 30-19-2 (18).

Aug. 27, 1932: The month wraps up with a big-time “superfight” headlining a card at the Polo Grounds in New York City. Long-time WBA LH Champ Tommy Loughran defends, and this time his challenger is long-time MW Champ Mickey Walker, in a long-awaited matchup, despite the fact that Walker is coming off just his second career setback at the hands of LW Jimmy Slattery. Plenty of action from the start as Loughran is off the mark early, surprising the “Toy Bulldog” with a strong shot that puts Walker on the deck in round one. Walker takes a round to recover, and by the end of round three he has landed enough to blows to cause some slight swelling under Loughran’s left eye. However, the LH Champ re-asserts himself, landing more frequently while Walker continues to struggle to find the range against the slick-boxing Loughran. Walker continues as the aggressor in the middle rounds, finally breaking through with a strong round nine. Walker continues to press forward, but the durable Loughran manages to stay away and avoid being worn down by Walker’s stalking effort. The bout goes the distance, but it is a solid UD 15 win for Loughran (146-138 on all three cards) who retains the belt. Post-fight, still both men have stellar career records: 48-4-4 (18) for Loughran, who is now approaching the 2000 perf point plateau, while Walker is now 49-3 (37).

(Historical note: In real-life, Walker challenged Loughran for the World LH title in 1929, and the bout ended in a split decision win for Loughran.)

[JCWeb]

Here’s a summary of the ring action around the world from the first half of September 1932, covering a total of 54 bouts.

Sep. 2, 1932: Friday night card at the Gran Stadium in Havana kicks off the month with two LW pairings headlining the card. First, in the co-feature, two top 10 contenders, Sammy Fuller and Stanislaus Loayza, are matched in a non-title affair. Loayza gets off to a good start, gaining the upper hand while Fuller is forced to deal with a rapidly swelling left eye. Fuller begins to land more punches in the second half, and he manages to open a cut on the bridge of Loayza’s nose. In the end, however, it is not enough, as Loayza takes a UD 10 (98-92, 96-94, 97-93) to boost his career totals to 26-14-3 (11). Fuller, who still has the reputation of not being able to win against top-flight competition, ends the bout at 32-7 (8). Then, in the main event, NABF Champion Cecil Payne makes his first defense against Joe Glick. Payne, coming off a loss to Tony Canzoneri for the WBA crown, is seeking to avenge a 1931 KO loss to Glick. The bout remains close through the opening rounds, but as the bout wore on, Payne began to assert himself, dominating the action with a huge round nine which saw Glick on the defensive, battling a rapidly swelling left eye. The UD 12 (117-111, 117-111, 116-112) goes to Payne, who moves to 27-4-3 (7) with the win, while Glick dips to 33-12-5 (13) with the loss.

Sep. 3, 1932: Next card is at Chicago’s Soldier Field. After some desultory bouts on the undercard, the main event takes place, a WBA LW contest with Tony “the Roman Warrior” Canzoneri making his second title defense, taking on highly rated Ray Miller. Miller is in trouble early on, suffering a cut over his left eye and a swollen right eye that worsens as Canzoneri pounds away in the early and middle rounds. Finally, in round eight, the swelling becomes so severe that the ref calls a halt to the action. TKO 8 for Canzoneri. The “Roman Warrior” moves to 27-4-2 (13) with the win. Miller slips to 33-9 (14) after the loss.

Sep. 8, 1932: Next Friday night card is “Down Under” at the Sydney Stadium in Australia. On the undercard, unbeaten LW prospect Herb Bishop runs his record to 16-0 (9) with a UD 10 win over Tony Morgano. Then, in the main event, Jack Carroll puts his Commomwealth WW title on the line against British Champ, Jack Hood. It’s a bit of a grudge match as Hood defeated Carroll via a TKO 6 back in 1928. Carroll is the aggressor throughout most of the bout, but Hood proves to be strong competition. No cuts or knockdowns, and the bout – a close one – goes the distance. The judges give the nod to Hood via a UD 12 (115-113, 118-111, 117-112) whose strong boxing skills continuously frustrated Carroll. Hood adds the CBU title to his GBU one, improving his career totals to 23-7-6 (8); Carroll is now 27-11-3 (12).

Sep. 9, 1932: Next card is back in the UK at the Stadium in Liverpool. In the feature, Canada’s Bobby Leitham, the NABF and Commonwealth BW titleholder, faces another man with two belts, Brit Benny Sharkey who is the reigning EBU and GBU BW Champion. At stake is Leitham’s Commonwealth title belt. Sharkey is the aggressor through most of the bout, but Leitham is able to build an early points lead by landing repeated blows that cause noticeable swelling under the right eye of Sharkey. Sharkey, however, is able to mount a rally in the later rounds. With the home crowd behind him, he charges out in the final round. Both men are looking for a knockout, as the bout is that close. Sharkey walks into a Leitham cross and goes down for a five-count. The late knockdown enables Leitham to keep the belt via a SD 12 (115-112 Leitham, 112-115 Sharkey, 116-111 Leitham). Post-fight marks: Leitham, 24-4-1 (9); Sharkey, 19-2-1 (15). It is Sharkey’s first loss at Prime career stage.

Sep. 9, 1932: The scene shifts to the States for an action-packed card at Atlantic City’s Convention Hall. No titles at stake, but the feature bout sees long-time LH contender Jimmy Slattery in action, facing Joe “Calamity Cairo” Knight. Slattery opens up the action in round three when he staggers Knight with a hook to the head. Knight is unable to land effective blows, but manages to stay afoot as the bout progresses into the later rounds. The bout goes to decision, but the end result – a draw (94-96 Knight, 96-94 Slattery, 95-all) is a surprise to most observers, who expected to see the nod go to Slattery, who at least maintains his spot as a top LH contender despite the blemish on his record. Post-fight records: Slattery, 31-12-3 (12); Knight, 19-3-2 (11).

Sep. 15, 1932: More fight action in Europe, this time at the Palais des Sports in Cannes, France. The main event is an EBU title affair, with newly-crowned Champ Maurice Holtzer appearing before a hometown crowd, defending the belt against Nel Tarleton. The two have met once before, back in 1930, with Holtzer coming out on top due to a DQ as Tarleton was called for a flagrant foul. In round three, Holtzer finds the range with a cross that puts Tarleton on his seat for an eight count. Two rounds later, Holtzer sustains a severe cut over his right eye, but the ref rules that the cut is caused by an accidental clash of heads. The cut is patched up but reopens a few rounds later. Holtzer is unable to continue, and the bout ends early with the scorecards tallied after seven. In another controversial end between these two, the UTD 7 (59-54, 59-55, 59-55) goes to Holtzer, enabling the Frenchman to retain the title belt. Post-fight, Holtzer improves to 25-7-1 (11) while Tarleton, at 21-6-3 (10), is already angling for another rematch.

[JCWeb]

Here’s a summary of the ring action around the world from the second half of September 1932, covering a total of 58 bouts.

Sep. 16, 1932: It’s back to Europe for a fight card in Rome, Italy. In the main event, Italian MW Enzo Fiermonte challenges veteran Rene “Little Fox” DeVos for the latter’s EBU MW title bet. It is DeVos’ first outing since hitting Post-Prime career stage. DeVos seems to have the upper hand in the early going, and after four rounds there is noticeable swelling under the right eye of the Italian challenger. Then, in round six, the tide begins to turn in Fiermonte’s favor as the Champ is cut under his right eye, and there is puffiness under DeVos’ left eye. Feeling his title perhaps beginning to slip away, DeVos becomes more and more aggressive in the later rounds, but Fiermonte is not to be denied. Buoyed by the hometown crowd, he goes on to take a popular UD 12 (118-111, 116-110, 117-110) and ends DeVos’ reign as EBU MW Champion. Fiermonte improves to 27-6-2 (10) with the win, while DeVos dips to 49-14-2 (18) with the loss.

Sep. 16, 1932: More fistic action back in the States, this time with a card at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, scene of the 1932 Olympics. Featured on the card is a USBA Flyweight title clash, with Newsboy Brown facing Fidel LaBarba for the belt vacated by Izzy Schwartz who moved up to become NABF titleholder. It will be the fourth meeting for these familiar foes, with LaBarba holding a 2-1 edge in prior meetings. LaBarba peppers Brown with shots to gain the upper hand in the early rounds, but the Newsboy battles back to keep the issue in doubt. By round seven, there is noticeable swelling under Brown’s right eye. LaBarba gradually takes control in the later rounds, smoothly combining offense with defense. Swelling that appears under LaBarba’s right eye near the end of the bout proves to be no problem. The UD 12 (117-111, 116-112, 115-113) goes to LaBarba, who is clearly on the path to another WBA title shot. Post-fight records: 29-8-1 (9) for LaBarba, 36-10-2 (11) for Brown.

Sep. 22. 1932: To the Far East for a strong Friday night card at Manila’s Rizal Arena. Two OPBF title bouts headline the card. First up, OPBF BW Champ Speedy Dado faces former Champ, aging vet Pete Sarmiento. The two have met twice before, each winning once via decision. This time, Sarmiento is no match for the younger, quicker Dado who piles up the early points lead. By the end of round six, there is swelling under the left eye of Sarmiento. In round seven, Dado does not let up, and the swelling is noticeably worse, plus there is a cut under the left eye of the challenger as well. The action is halted, the ring doctor consulted, and the bout is halted. TKO 7 for Dado as Sarmiento’s eye is too badly damaged to allow the bouot to continue. Dado moves to 22-8 (12) with the win, while Sarmiento slumps to 34-17-6 (21) after the loss. Then, in the main event, the long dormant OPBF WW title belt is up for graps as Lope Tenorio defends against his higher rated countryman, Irineo Flores. Once again, the two are 1-1 in prior meetings, and it is the first title defense since 1929. Flores, the challenger, gets off to a strong start; in round five, he staggers Tenorio with a left hook to the body. The Champ continues to labor through the rest of the bout, and in round 11 he is decked by a Flores uppercut for an eight-count. Tenorio also sustains a cut over his right eye. Then, with 30 seconds left in the final round, Tenorio finally breaks through, landing an uppercut that staggers the challenger, forcing Flores to cover up. However, it is too little, too late, as Flores becomes the new OPBF Champion via a UD 12 (115-113, 117-112, 115-113). Flores emerges from the bout with a 37-12-2 (18) overall record; Tenorio is now 26-11-6 (7).

Sep. 23, 1932: Next card is at the Boston Garden. In the co-main event, WBA JLW Champ Tod Morgan steps up to take on a top 20 LW, Baby Sal Sorio, in a non-title clash. Morgan puts on a superior exhibition of boxing skills, and Sorio offers little in the way of resistance. No cuts, swelling or knockdowns en route to a routine UD 10 (98-92, 97-92, 96-93) for Morgan, who moves to 38-9-1 (12) with the win. Sorio drops to 25-7 (16) after the loss. Then, in the main event, NABF MW Champion Freddie Steele takes on USBA Champ Tony Tozzo in his third title defense. The two met four years earlier, when both were at Pre-Prime, and Steele won by a knockout. This time around, Steele comes prepared and tries to end it early, flooring Tozzo with a short, clean uppercut with less than a minute gone in round one. Tozzo is on his feet at the count of three, and bounces back with a strong round four, which has Steele returning to his corner with some swelling under his left eye. Steele regains control in the middle rounds, and in round eight, he bangs a combination to the head and body that cause the challenger to slump to the canvas for the second time. This time, Steele’s killer instinct kicks in, and Tozzo is left defenseless and unable to survive the round as the ref steps in to save him from further punishment. TKO 7 enables Steele to keep the title. Post-fight marks: Steele, 27-1 (22); Tozzo, 19-6-2 (13).

Sep. 29, 1932: The scene shifts to the UK and the Earls Court in London for a rare Friday night card there. On the undercard, former WBA BW Champion Panama Al Brown faces the challenge from up-and-coming young British BW, Dick Corbett, in a non-title tilt. Panama Al sustains a cut over his right eye early in the bout, and things get even worse when Corbett drops the former Champ with a combination in round six. The bout ends a round later when the cut is reopened and proves too difficult to control. TKO 7 for Corbett. Then, in the main event, current EBU LH Champ Len Harvey takes on a younger foe from the States, Battling Bozo, in another non-title contest. Harvey pulls ahead, landing repeatedly such that Bozo’s right eye shows signs of swelling after just three rounds. The game American battles back to keep the bout close, but Harvey pulls through with a strong effort in the later rounds. The UD 10 goes to Harvey (96-94 on all three cards), much to the delight of the London fans, although Bozo earned plaudits for a good showing against a top-flight opponent in only his second career loss. Post-fight records: Harvey, 39-8-2 (15); Bozo, 20-2-1 (9).

Sep. 30, 1932: September action wraps up with a packed card topped by a WBA title fight in New York City. In addition to a co-feature for a USBA title, there is a high quality main support featuring unbeaten WW Cocoa Kid and once beaten Barney Ross; the two have a combined pre-fight record of 34-1. Ross dominates the action in the early rounds, piling up an early lead as Cocoa Kid seems outclassed and is on the defensive. Starting in the middle rounds, the Kid begins to work himself back into the bout. Ross coasts a bit too much in the later rounds, and this enables Cocoa Kid to escape with a draw (95-95, 95-95, 96-94 Kid) to maintain his unbeaten status. Post-fight career marks: Cocoa Kid, 17-0-1 (10); Ross, 17-1-1 (7). The co-feature is for the USBA BW title vacated by Archie Bell who stepped up to capture the WBA title. Pete Sanstol is paired with aging veteran Bud Taylor for the vacant belt. Sanstol builds an early lead, but midway through the bout his corner has to deal with some swelling that appears under his right eye. Taylor becomes aggressive in the later rounds, but he is unable to launch a comeback as Sanstol takes a comfortable UD 12 (118-110 on all three cards) to annex the title. Post-fight: Sanstol, 25-3 (8); Taylor, 33-17 (16). Then, the final bout of the night is for the WBA FW crown as Louis Kaplan faces the young Mexican, Baby Arizmendi, who recently captured the NABF FW title. In round two, Arizmendi suffers a gash over his left eye, but his corner does a good job in patching up the cut. In round three, there’s more blood, this time over the right eye of Kaplan, possibly as a result of an accidental butt. Then, near the end of round five, Kaplan walks into an uppercut and is floored for a nine-count. The cut over Kaplan’s eye is reopened in round seven, and again in round nine. The cut finally leads to a stoppage in the 11^th round, and it goes to the scorecards: a UTD 11 (96-92, 95-93, 97-91) based on the cards after ten means the title goes to Arizmendi, who becomes the first Mexican fight to hold a World title bout in my Universe. The win improves his career totals to 21-2-1 (9), while the luckless Kaplan is now 41-12-1 (10).

[JCWeb]

Here’s a summary of the ring action around the world from the first half of October 1932, covering a total of 60 bouts.

Oct. 1, 1932: Messed up the dates last time around, so it’s a Saturday card at the Exhibition Gardens in Vancouver to open this month’s action. No titles, but two key matchups that serve as co-feaures on this card. First up, a HW clash as GBU Champ Tommy Farr (having lost his Commonwealth title belt) takes on OPBF Champ Tom Heeney. Farr holds a prior win (via UD) back in 1930, and he starts off well. Heeney is the aggressor, preferring to work inside while Farr is more comfortable staying on the outside. Farr builds a nice points lead, but Heeney is able to keep the bout fairly competitive. The bout goes to decision, and Farr takes a SD 10 (97-92, 93-96, 96-93) although it is hard to see the bout being that close or that one judge could go for Heeney. Post-fight, Farr is now 27-5-1 (12) and looking ahead, while Heeney, at 33-17-1 (11) has fought his last bout at Prime and is now on the downside of his career. Second co-main event showcases two top LWs, with ex-Champ Billy Petrolle on the comeback trail, facing a tough South American fighter in Argentinian Justo Suarez. Suarez is on target early, and by the end of round two there is noticeable swelling under the left eye of Petrolle. The Argentinian follows up with a strong round three before the “Fargo Express” gets on track in the fourth. Petrolle maintains the initiative into round five when he decks Suarez for a three-count with a huge cross. Suarez begins to carry his hands low and, tiring badly, his punches lack sting as the bout heads into the later rounds. Petrolle scores a second KD in the tenth and final round, and he takes a comfortable UD 10 (97-92, 95-93, 95-93). Petrolle improves to 40-4-3 (21) with the win, while Suarez dips to 22-3 (14) with the loss.

Oct. 7, 1932: More Friday night action, this time at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. One title belt is up for grabs in the main event as unbeaten USBA LW Champ Tiger Jack Fox defends against a former NABF Champ, Lou Scozza. Fox doesn’t waste any time in this one, using his jab to set up a power shot that mows down Scozza less than two minutes into the bout. Scozza drops to the canvas and cannot beat the count. KO 1 for Tiger Jack Fox to run his record to 26-0 (20), compared to a 31-5-1 (23) for Scozza.

Oct. 8, 1932: Back in Europe for a nice card at the Sportpalast in Berlin. With Max Schmeling having ascended to the WBA HW throne, his EBU title has been vacant and, matched up for the vacant belt are two veteran campaigners: Paulino Uzcudan (the “Basque Woodchopper”) and Norwegian Otto Von Porat – and Max is on hand to present the belt to his successor, both of whom are former EBU Champs. Uzcudan holds a UD 10 win over Von Porat from earlier in the year and is hoping for a repeat with the title at stake. Things get off to bad start for the Spaniard, however, when he suffers a split lip and a swollen left eye in round one. The cut is quickly patched up but reopens in rounds four and seven, creating a severe distraction for Uzcudan and his corner. Uzcudan, behind, finds himself forced to abandon his usually passive style and become the aggressor as the bout heads toward the later rounds. However, both the cut and the swollen eye remain severe impediments and, finally, in round 10, the ref steps in and calls an early halt to the action. Von Porat regains the EBU title via the TKO 10 win. Post-fight, VonPorat improves to 22-7-1 (12) compared to Uzcudan, who is now 31-9-1 (12).

Oct. 8, 1932: Next card is at Chicago’s Comiskey Park. On the undercard is “Homicide Hank” Armstrong, hot young FW prospect who blasts out a TC for a first-round TKO to raise his record to 6-1 (6); Armstrong still is seeking to reverse his one career loss via a cuts stoppage. The main event is for the NABF HW title belt, now held by Elmer Ray. Ray’s opponent is ex-WBA Champion Young Stribling, who is looking to move on from here and regain the WBA belt. Stribling has won three in a row since his shocking loss to Tuffy Griffith, and Ray is on a five-bout win streak. The bout takes an interesting turn in the opening round, when Ray sustains a cut over his right eye as the result of a hard Stribling cross. The cut proves to be a challenge for Ray’s corner, as it reopens twice before the bout reaches its halfway point. Ray also has to deal with the issue of swelling under the eye as well. Midway through round six, Stribling lands a strong shot that forces Ray to cover up. Ray rebounds with a strong seventh round, but Stribling quickly regains control, repeatedly drilling Ray who has little left in the tank as the bout heads into the late rounds. The bout comes to an early end in round 10 when the cut is reopened and causes a stoppage. Stribling takes the NABF belt via the 10^th round TKO; it is the sixth time the NABF title has changed hands in the last six title bouts. Post-fight marks: Stribling, 42-6-2 (23); Ray, 24-4 (15).

Oct. 14, 1932: The scene shifts to the Far East for a Friday night card at Manila’s Rizal Arena. The main support features two top 20 ranked MWs, as veteran contender Ace Hudkins travels to face hometown favorite, former OPBF kingpin Ceferino Garcia. Hudkins holds a UD win over the Filipino from 1931, but he is now at Post-Prime career stage in addition to facing a hostile crowd in this encounter. It’s a close bout that sees Garcia gradually pulling ahead through the middle rounds. By the end of round eight, the relentless pounding has caused swelling under the left eye of Hudkins. Garcia goes on to take a relatively comfortable UD 10 (98-92 on all cards) despite a credible effort by Hudkins. After the bout, Garcia moves to 28-9 (20) while Hudkins is 33-13-2 (17). Then, in the main event, the OPBF FW title is on the line for the first time in over 15 months as Elino Flores defends against ex-Champ and countryman Young Nationalista. Nationalista holds a prior win over Flores, back in 1929. This time, Flores seizes the early edge, and Nationalista is troubled by a cut that emerges over his right eye near the end of round four. Midway through the bout, there is swelling developing under Flores’ left eye as Nationalista battles back. However, Flores remains on target, and by round nine, there is noticeable swelling under the left eye of the challenger. Flores goes on to take a UD 12 (115-112, 117-110, 116-111) to reverse the earlier result while retaining the OPBF title. Post-fight marks: Flores, 30-15-5 (12); Nationalista, 29-14-3 (10).

Oct. 15, 1932: More action back in the UK at the Stadium in Liverpool. No titles at stake, but the main event is an attractive matchup among two long-time WW contenders, as Baby Joe Gans travels from across the Atlantic to face Brit Bermondsey Billy Wells. Gans gains the upper hand in the early going. In round five, a cut appears above Gans’ right eye. However, the rest of the way it is smooth sailing as the cut proves not to be a problem. Baby Joe Gans goes on to take a solid UD 10 (97-93 on all cards) and moves to 31-11-1 (14) as a result. The veteran Wells, now at the tail-end of his lengthy career, slips to 50-18-3 (18).

[JCWeb]

Here’s a summary of the ring action around the world from the second half of October 1932, covering a total of 60 bouts.

Oct. 15, 1932: Next card is at the Denver’s Mammoth Gardens. Key bout on the agenda is the main event, for the USBA LW title. Jack Portney, the new Champ, faces Roger Bernard in an interesting matchup – with Bernard, hungry for his first title belt, looking fairly confident as he faces Portney, whom he has defeated twice in two earlier bouts. This time, Portney looks to reverse the earlier losses, and he makes a strong effort to pull ahead in the earlier rounds. In the middle rounds, though, it is Bernard who begins to claw his way back into the bout. It comes down to a judges’ decisions, as there are no cuts or knockdowns to indicate a clear advantage for either fighter. As in the prior two bouts, the nod goes to Bernard, but by a narrow SD 12 (114-115, 116-113, 116-113). Bernard improves to 26-4 (12) with the win, while Portney slips to 23-4-2 (14) with the loss.

Oct. 21, 1932: Friday night fight action at Havana, Cuba. No titles, but two top FW contenders square off as ex-WBA and NABF Champion Jose Lombardo faces the “Cuban Bon Bon,” Kid Chocolate, in a crossroads bout for both men: Lombardo is looking to reinvigorate his stalled career while Kid Chocolate, now at Prime career stage, is looking to impress his hometown fans and move up the FW rankings. Kid Chocolate goes on the offensive after a couple of rounds, and by the fourth round, Lombardo’s left eye shows signs of swelling. Near the end of round five, Lombardo is staggered by a Kid Chocolate hook. However, Lombardo withstands these assaults and begins to assert himself in the later rounds. By the end of round eight, Kid Chocolate’s left eye begins to swell as well. The Cuban begins to adopt a defensive posture, hoping to eke out a points win, but Lombardo rallies. In the middle of round 10, he nails Chocolate with an uppercut, forcing the Cuban to cover up. It’s a long wait until the judges’ decision is announced, and it’s a split decision – with the SD 10 going to Lombardo (96-95, 95-96, 96-95), much to the dismay of the crowd which was strongly behind Kid Chocolate. Post-fight, Lombardo moves to 33-13-4 (20), while Chocolate is 17-3-4 (14).

Oct. 22, 1932: Back in Europe for the next card, at the Palais des Sports in Cannes, France. The main event has Emile Pladner defending the EBU Flyweight crown against Germany’s Harry Stein. Stein gets off on the right foot, flooring Pladner with a big hook in the opening round. Later on, Stein suffers a cut under his right eye in round six, but the German battles back and staggers Pladner with a three-punch combo later in the round. Stein continues to apply pressure, and there is noticeable swelling under the right eye of the Frenchman by the end of round seven. In round 11, Pladner bounces back, landing a strong shot that pucks Stein on the deck. Then, in the final round, Pladner is cut over the left eye. A good action bout that goes the distance. The end result is a UD 12 win for Stein (114-112, 114-112, 115-111) who becomes the new EBU Champion. Post-fight, Stein improves to 27-9-1 (19) while Pladner is now 20-9-1 (8).

Oct. 22, 1932: Next card is at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Lots of good bouts on the menu. On the undercard is fan favorite Jimmy Braddock, taking on a top 20 HW for the first time in the person of Ad Warren. However, it may be too much of an ask as Warren floors Braddock near the end of round one; Jimmy arises at the count of seven. At the outset of round three, a big left from Warren forces Braddock to cover up to avoid further punishment. Nonetheless, by the end of that round, Braddock is already battling a rapidly swelling right eye. Braddock soliders on, hoping to gain a foothold in the bout, but in the 10^th and final round he falls victim to a Warren hook. Two more knockdowns follow before the automatic TKO based on the three-knockdown rule takes effect. TKO 10 for Warren lifts his overall career totals to 21-4 (18); Braddock is now 22-7-2 (6). Another HW clash is on the agenda, as unbetean prospect Jersey Joe Walcott faces his first “name” opponent, Ray “Skyscraper” Impellittiere. Impellittiere is also undefeated, although his young career has already been tarnished with no fewer than four draws against TCs. Walcott gets off to his usual strong start, dishing out enough punishment so that Impelletiere’s right eye is already starting to puff up by the end of the opening stanza. In round two, a serious cut appears on Impellittiere’s forehead. The cut is a huge problem and leads to an early stoppage midway through the fight. The bout goes in the books as a TKO 5 for Walcott. Jersey Joe is now 13-0 (12); Impellittiere, 5-1-4 (1). Next on the card is another support bout, matching two ranked MWs: Johnny “Bandit” Romero (riding a five-bout winning streak including a KO of Jock Malone in his last outing) takes on Young Terry. Action opens up midway through round two when Terry unleashes a combination of sharp blows that force Romero to cover up. The pendulum swings the opposition direction, when in round four Romero puts Terry down with a barrage of blows. The effects of the demanding bout are felt when both men exhibit signs of swelling: Romero under his right eye, Terry under the left. In round seven, Romero develops even more swelling under the other eye as well. A cut is opened under Romero’s right eye in round eight. Romero’s hopes to pull out a win are dashed in the final round, when Terry connects with a solid hook that puts Romero on his back. The decision goes Terry’s way, a solid UD 10 (98-91, 96-92, 96-92) with a healthy margin on all three cards that lifts Terry to 25-8-3 (10) overall; Romero slips to 23-5 (16). After all this action, it is time for the main event, as Jimmy McLarnin defends his WBA WW title against EBU Champ Cleto Locatelli; it is a rematch of a prior meeting in January 1932 that went for McLarnin via a TKO stoppage. McLarnin uses a conservative approach, consistently outboxing his Swiss opponent to gain the early points lead. Locatelli begins to fade in the middle rounds, and the later rounds are just target practice for McLarnin. This time, Locatelli is able to last the distance, but the end result is a lopsided UD 15 for McLarnin (146-140, 148-140, 148-138) for his fourth successive title defense and his seventh win in a row. Post-fight marks: McLarnin, 37-4 (21); Locatelli, 24-7-1 (8).

Oct. 28, 1932: The scene shifts to Miami for another Friday night card. The main event has USBA FW Champ Battling Battalino matched with former WBA Champ Babe Herman for the NABF title vacated by Baby Arizmendi, stepped up to capture the WBA title from Herman’s successor, Louis Kaplan. Battalino, fresh off a loss to Kaplan for the WBA title, now sets his sights on the NABF belt but Herman will be a tough opponent for the “Bat.” Battalino shows off his boxing skills in the early rounds, compiling a points lead. However, things begin to turn sour in round eight when Battalino is cut on the nose, and the blood begins to flow. The cut is reopened twice, but it still looks like Battalino is going to survive as the bout enters in the 12^th and final round. However, luck is not with the “Bat” as the cut worsens and leads to a late stoppage with Battalino still ahead on all three cards. TKO 12 for the wily Herman on the cuts stoppage. Post-fight marks: Herman, 34-17-5 (15); Battalino, 23-6 (12). Oh, well, Battalino still has his USBA title to fall back on, plus there’s already talk of a rematch sometime in early 1932 after the cut has had a chance to heal.

Oct. 29, 1932: This month’s action closes with a card at the venerable Harringay Arena in London. More action back in the UK at the Stadium in Liverpool. The main event is a matchup for the Commonwealth FW crown, but on the undercard is an intriguing matchup of two 11-0 HW prospects, with hometown favorite Brit Jack Peterson taking on Chile’s Arturo Godoy. In round two, Peterson rocks Godoy with a solid cross that forces the Chilean to cover up. Godoy is the aggressor in the middle rounds, but he is beginning to run short of energy by the end of round six. Godoy is down twice, in rounds six and seven, and Peterson goes to take a popular UD 10 win (97-91 on all three cards). Post-fight, Peterson is now 12-0 (9) while Godoy is 11-1 (5). In the main event, Johnny Cuthbert makes the first defense of his Commonwealth FW belt in over a year by taking on the challenge of Candian Pete DeGrasse, who has been gradually working his way up the FW ranks. However, Cuthbert is on target early, and by the end of round two, there is swelling under the right eye of DeGrasse. DeGrasse does better in the middle rounds, making the bout competitive. In the end, a shocking result, as DeGrasse pulls off the upset, taking the title from the veteran Cuthbert by a close but UD 12 (116-112 on all cards). DeGrasse moves to 22-7-1 (5) with the win, while Cuthbert, perhaps on the downside of his lengthy career, is now 29-20-1 (10).

[JCWeb]

Here’s a summary of the ring action around the world from the first half of November 1932, covering a total of 55 bouts Some good quality bouts, including a WBA HW clash, are on the agenda.

Nov. 4, 1932: The month opens with a Friday night card at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. No title bouts, but two top five BWs square off in the main event. Former WBA Champ and reigning OPBF BW Champ Speedy Dado faces Bushy Graham, a former USBA Champion still hopeful of advancing to a World title shot. Dado breaks through in round three when he drops Graham with a short, clean combination. Graham arises at the count of three and covers up to last the round. Dado gradually wears down Graham who seems to tire and weaken in the middle rounds. Graham battles back and then nails Dado with a big hook midway through round eight. Dado covers up to prevent further damage. A round later, Dado is back on track and Graham beings to experience some swelling under his right eye. The bout goes to decision, and the end result – a split draw (95-94 Graham, 92-97 Dado, 96-96 even) – seems justified, although Graham may have benefited from some hometown favoritism. Post-fight records: 22-8-1 (12) for Dado; 31-14-1 (10) for Graham.

Nov. 5, 1932: Next card is back at the Stadium in Liverpool, England. Main event is a GBU LW title bout, with Harry Mason facing challenger George Rose. It’s the third meeting of the two; Mason took the first by a split decision, then most recently the two battled to a draw in early 1932. The bout remains close for the first four rounds, then Mason begins to dominate and punish Rose with repeated blows. In round six, Rose’s left eye is cut and swollen. The cut over the eye worsens, leading to an immediate cuts stoppage a few rounds later. TKO 8 for Mason to retain the GBU belt (his EBU title was not at stake). Post-fight, Mason moves to 31-18-3 (5), while Rose is now 18-8-2 (7).

Nov. 5, 1932: The Forum in Montreal is the venue for the next fight card. The feature bout is for the WBA HW title, so there are a fair number of strong supporting bouts on the agenda as well. The first of these matches two top 10 LWs, with long-time Chilean contender Stanislaus “El Gato” Loayza facing Al Gordon. Loayza gets off to a good start and gains the upper hand through the early rounds. Gordon, sensing he is falling behind, picks up the pace in the second half of the bout. Loayza dominates round six, and in round seven he lands a big left that staggers Gordon, who covers up to last the round. By round eight, Gordon’s left eye shows signs of swelling. The rest of the bout goes as expected, and the end result is a relatively lopsided UD 12 for Loayza (98-92, 99-92, 99-92). Post-fight, Loayza improves to 27-14-3 (11) while Gordon slips to 29-12-7 (9). Next bout of interest has veteran Canadian BW, Vic Foley, a former NABF and Commonwealth titleholder, facing the young 19-1 Spaniard, Baltazar Sangchili, in the latter’s first outing at Prime. Foley got off to a quick start and build a solid points lead in the first half of the bout. Sangchili then mounted a late rally that made the bout extremely close. Buoyed and perhaps aided by the hometown crowd, Foley takes a SD 10 (96-95, 94-96, 97-93) to lift his overall career totals to 34-15-2 (10). Sangchili’s second career setback left him at 19-2 (15). Finally, after a long night of boxing, it was time for the along-waited main event, with WBA Champ Max Schmeling making his first title defense against Commonwealth Champion and long-time top contender, Larry Gains. Schmeling looked good in the early going, and in just the second round, Gains suffered a split lip. Schmeling continues in aggressive fashion by moving inside in round three, and a wild overhand right drops Gains for a seven count for the bout’s first knockdown. The effects of the bruising bout is illustrated for both men in round four, when Schmeling shows signs of swelling under his right eye, while Gains sports a rapidly swelling left eye. Schmeling unleashes a torrent of blows in an action-packed round five, when he puts Gains on the deck for a second time. Gains covers up and lasts the round. In round six, Max gets a bit careless and leaves himself open for solid cross that connects for the challenger – and this time it is Schmeling who covers up to avoid further damage. Then, in round seven, it is Schmeling back in charge. He lands another strong shot for the bout’s third knockdown, and this time his killer instinct kicks in. One more trip to the deck followed by a Schmeling right, and the ref has seen enough. He calls a halt to save Gains from further punishment. TKO 7 for Schmeling. The win moves Max to 30-2 (23) while Gains is now 32-9 (20).

Nov. 11, 1932: Friday night fights is back at Rizal Arena in Manila. Former WBA BW Champion Pablo Dano squares off against young British hopeful Dick Corbett in the main event, with Corbett looking for an opportunity to advance to a shot at the British or Commonwealth BW title. Dano gains the upper hand through the early and middle rounds, gradually wearing his younger opponent down. Corbett, low on gas, is unable to rebound in the later rounds, so Dano goes on to take a UD 10 (98-91, 96-92, 96-92). Post-fight marks: Dano, 24-2-2 (14); Corbett, 24-6 (10).

Nov. 12, 1932: The scene shifts to a new venue, the Cirkusbygningen Arena in Copenhagen. NABF MW Champ faces his European counterpart, Enzo Fiermonte, in the main event. Steele gets off to a slow start and takes awhile to get on track. By round five, Steele begins to find the range, and by the end of the round there is swelling noticeable under both of Fiermonte’s eyes. However, in round six, Steele suffers a severe cut over his right eye. Although it is quickly patched up by his corner, the cut is in a bad spot and is reopened in round seven. The bout is a close one headed into the final rounds. The end comes in round 10, when the cut is reopened again and proves impossible to control. Fiermonte takes a TKO 10. Post-fight, Fiermonte moves to 28-6-2 (11), while Steele’s second career loss leaves him at 27-2 (22).

Nov. 12, 1932: The next fistic action is at Detroit’s Briggs Stadium. On the undercard, unbeaten LH prospect John Henry Lewis takes on veteran TC Norm Munson. Lewis takes awhile to break down his opponent’s defenses, but near the end of round five he puts Munson down and out. The KO 5 keeps Lewis’s perfect record intact: 11 KO wins in 11 bouts. Next bout of interest has two sluggers squaring off, with LH George Courtney stepping up to take on top 10 HW Jim Maloney in a non-title contest. Maloney builds a slight lead in the early rounds, but in round three he sustains a cut over his left eye. Maloney battles back and, by the end of the round, he hammers Courtney with a big uppercut that forces Courtney to cover up. Early in round five, Maloney puts Courtney on the deck briefly with a wicked hook to the head. The LH battles back, despite a rapidly swelling right eye, but the late surge by Courtney falls just short as Maloney takes a SD 10 (96-95, 94-95, 95-94). Post-fight, Maloney is now 26-10-1 (23) while Courtney, at 25-10-3 (22), is likely to return to the LH division. In the main event, long-time PFP contender Benny Leonard, still trying to capture a WBA WW title, takes on Aussie Jack Carroll, now a former Commonwealth WW Champ. Leonard, the slick boxer, pulls ahead in the early going as Carroll takes on a more aggressive stance. As the bout wears on, it becomes more competitive. It goes the distance, and Leonard is fortunate to escape with a SD 10 win (96-95, 94-96, 97-93). Leonard, still on track to set the mark for most total bouts, moves to 82-7-3 (42) with the win, while Carroll is now 27-12-3 (12).

[JCWeb]

Here’s a summary of the ring action around the world from the second half of November 1932, covering a total of 66 bouts.

Nov. 18, 1932: Next up is a Friday night card in Philadelphia. No title bouts on the agenda, which is headlined by a MW matchup between Len Johnson, former EBU and GBU titleholder, and veteran Vince Dundee. It’s the second meeting of the two, with the first having ended in a draw (at Manila earlier in 1932). Johnson is on target early, and there is already some noticeable swelling under Dundee’s right eye by the end of round one. However, a couple of rounds later Johnson is slowed as a nasty cut appears over the Brit’s right eye. Johnson then leaves himself open for a hook from Dundee, and by the end of round three there is swelling under Johnson’s left eye. The bout heads into the middle rounds in a fluid state, but it comes to an early end in round seven, when a couple of more strong shots from Dundee cause the cut to be reopened – and this time, despite protests from Johnson’s corner, the cut leads to a stoppage. TKO 7 for Dundee. Post-fight records: 30-7-2 (14) for Dundee; 29-14-3 (17) for Johnson. Turns out to be Johnson’s last bout at Prime.

Nov. 19, 1932: Back to the French Riviera for an action packed fight card at Cannes. First of three notable bouts matches long-time JLW contender Benny Bass who steps up to LW to take on crowd favorite Benny Valgar in the “Battle of the Bennys,” or, it’s “Little Fish” against the “French Flash.” Bass does well in the early going and piles up a points lead. Valgar picks up the pace starting in rounds 5 and 6. By round eight, the accumulated number of blows is having some effect as Bass’ left eye shows signs of swelling. A frustrated Bass responds by hitting low. The repeated low blows lead to a stoppage and an immediate DQ, leading to howls of protest from Bass’ corner. The DQ-7 moves Valgar to 46-17-3 (13); Bass is now 38-14-3 (14). Next up is the co-feature involving two ranked WWs, unbeaten German Gustav Eder and Cuban Manuel Quintero. Eder is on target early, and by the end of round two, there is swelling around the right eye of Quintero. The crafty German WW is able to build a solid points lead over the first five rounds. The swelling under Quintero’s eye worsens in the later rounds, and the Cuban goes to defeat by a relatively widely margin, with Eder taking a solid UD 10 (97-93, 98-92, 98-92) to run his record to 21-0-1 (8) while Quintero slips to 24-9-4 (11). Finally, it’s time for the main event, with Maurice Holtzer making the first defense of his EBU FW title, versus former Champ Dom Volante. Volante suffers a rapidly swelling right eye in the early rounds, which is relatively even for the first four rounds. Then, two-thirds of the way through round five, Volante staggers Holtzer with a quick hook to the head, taking charge as Holtzer is forced to cover up. In round seven, Holtzer sustains a cut under his left eye. The bout remains close into the later rounds, with Volante able to regain the title through a very close but UD 12 (115-114 on all three cards). Post-fight, Volante moves to 27-10-2 (17), while Holtzer drops to 25-8-1 (11).

Nov. 19, 1932: The next card is at New York’s Yankee Stadium, with a strong card headlined by a WBA title bout. Two unbeaten HW prospects are on the undercard, as Art Lasky faces Leroy Haynes in a battle of two young sluggers. The bout does not start well for Lasky when Haynes decks him with a combination in round three and follows with a second KD a round later. By this time, there is noticeable swelling under Lasky’s left eye. A determined Lasky bounces back, drilling Haynes repeatedly in round five, such that Haynes’s left eye begins to puff up as well. Lasky has a big round in the sixth, but Haynes rebounds with a strong round seven. The bout is hanging in the balance when Lasky takes charge in round eight, forcing Haynes on the defensive as his other eye begins to swell. The punishment dished out by Lasky is enough for the ref to call a halt. TKO 8 for Lasky as Haynes is out on his feet. Post-fight marks: Lasky moves to 14-0-1 (all 14 wins by KO) while Haynes is now 11-1-1 (9). Next bout of note matches two LH contenders, with Jimmy Slattery facing George Manley for third time, Slattery having won the two prior bouts. This time turns out to be different, as Manley decks Slattery in the opening round for a nine-count and follows with a second KD later in the round. Manley suffers a cut over his right eye in round two, which is a constant issue for his corner the rest of the way, with the cut being reopened at least three times. Slattery targets the cut, but in the end it’s not enough as Manley reverses the two prior losses with a UD 10 win (96-92, 95-93, 95-93) to move to 30-14 (16) overall. Slattery’s career totals are now 31-13-3 (12). The feature bout is for the WBA Flyweight crown, with Midget Wolgast (who has now won 11 straight), making his fifth title defense against veteran Pinky Silverberg, who is unbeaten in his last eight (seven wins and one draw). The action in this one is slow to develop as the two have not met before. Wolgast seems to hold a slight edge heading into the middle rounds. In round six, Silberberg sustains a cut over his right eye. This enables Wolgast to pile up an even larger points lead in the middle rounds, as the cut is clearly bothering Silverberg. Wolgast appears to be coasting in the later rounds as Silverberg lacks the firepower to stage a late rally. In the end, though, the cut is reopened and leads to a late stoppage in the final round. TKO 15 for Wolgast who retains the title. He moves to 30-4 (15) overall. There is not much protest from Silverberg, who is now 32-12-5 (10).

Nov. 25, 1932: Friday night fights goes south of the border to Mexico City. Baby Arizmendi is making his first defense of his WBA FW title, and he faces challenger Al Foreman, the GBU FW Champion. Arizmendi looks sharp early, and near the end of the opening stanza he drills Foreman with a straight right that causes the Brit to cover up. Foreman also returns to his corner sporting a welt under his left eye. In round four, Foreman is cut under the left eye. Arizmendi, to the delight of the Mexican crowd, is building a huge points lead as the bout heads into the middle rounds. Foreman is able to counter with a few good shots of his own, and by round ten there is noticeable swelling under the left eye of Arizmendi. However, the cut over Foreman’s eye reopens, plus the other eye begins to swell, leading to an early end to the evening. The TKO 11 means Arizmendi retains the title. Post-fight marks: Arizmendi, 22-2-1 (10); Foreman, 30-18-1 (21).

Nov. 26, 1932: The scene shifts to the UK and the Olympia in London. Veteran LH Len Harvey is featured in the main event, but first up is a key support bout featuring two top Flyweights, as Commonwealth Fly Champ Kid Socks takes on ex-WBA Champ Newsboy Brown. It is a close bout, and to the delight of the hometown crowd, Kid Socks gradually pulls ahead in the middle rounds and hangs on to take a SD 10 (97-93, 94-96, 96-94). The win lifts Socks to 28-16-2 (8) overall, compared to 36-11-2 (11) post-fight for Newsboy Brown. Then, in the main event, Harvey defends his EBU LH title against up-and-comer Gustavo Roth from Belgium. Roth gets off to a strong start while Harvey has an off-day. By the end of round three, Harvey is cut over the left eye. In the fifth round, there is a sharp three-punch combination from Roth that reopens the cut and forces Harvey to cover up. In the second half of the bout, Harvey steps up the pace in a desperate attempt to retain the belt. By the end of round seven, Roth’s left eye shows noticeable signs of swelling but, otherwise, Harvey cannot make progress, battling the cut, a strong opponent, and the fact that he is having an off-night. Roth goes on to scoop up the title via a UD 12 (116-113, 117-114, 115-114). Post-fight, Roth improves to 26-3-2 (12), while the veteran Harvey slips to 39-9-2 (15).

Nov. 26, 1932: The month wraps up with a full card at the Coliseum Arena in New Orleans. The main event features WBA JLW Champion Tod Morgan, making the third defense of that belt against Joe Glick, who is dropping down from LW to challenge Morgan for the title belt. From the start, Morgan smothers Glick with a solid defense, and he takes a huge points lead into the middle rounds. Two-thirds of the way through the bout, Glick shows signs of swelling under the right eye. In round 14, an accidental butt causes a gash to open above Glick’s left eye. A cut also opens over Glick’s other eye, and the blood flows freely – leading to a stoppage. The bout goes to the scorecards after round 13, and Morgan takes a one-sided UTD 14 (130-117, 130-117, 128-120) to retain the title. Post-fight, Morgan is now 39-9-1 (12) while Glick, at 31-13-5 (13), announces a return to the LW division.

[JCWeb]

Here’s a summary of the ring action around the world from the first half of December 1932, covering a total of 61 bouts.

Dec. 2, 1932: The month commences with a packed Friday night card at Atlantic City’s Convention Hall. Young FW prospect “Homicide Hank” Armstrong is on the undercard, facing the same TC who handed him his only career loss (via a cuts stoppage) to date. Armstrong goes to work right away, hammering at his hapless opponent, causing noticeable swelling by the end of the opening stanza. In round two, a hook to head leads to the bout’s first knockdown. The end comes a few minutes later when a short, clean combination puts his opponent down and out. KO 2 moves Armstrong to 7-1 (7). Then, in one of the main support bouts, former WBA Flyweight king Frankie Genaro is matched with ex-EBU Champ Johnny Vacca. It’s the first meeting of the two, and Vacca (now at Post-Prime) is a step or two slower, enabling Genaro to build a solid points lead. Genaro goes into a defensive posture and holds on for a UD 10 win (98-93, 96-94, 97-93) to move his career totals to 40-13-1 (18); Vacca is now 27-6-2 (11). Next is another intriguing matchup, with WW prospect Barney Ross, in his last bout a Pre-Prime, stepping up to take on #3 ranked JWW, veteran Mickey Cohen. Ross gradually builds a healthy points lead in the early rounds. Cohen elects to stay outside, allowing Ross a free hand. Nonetheless, Cohen manages to keep the bout reasonably close, such that Ross decides to up the pace in the later rounds. By round eight, this is beginning to have an effect as Cohen’s left eye shows signs of swelling. Ross is content to coast in the last two rounds, and the end result – a SD 10 for Ross (96-95, 95-96, 97-94) is much closer than Ross’ handlers would have liked. Nonetheless, Ross moves to Prime career stage in 1933 with an excellent 18-1-1 (7) career mark, with Cohen dropping to 18-14-1 (9) overall. After this series of excellent bouts, it is time for the main event, which sees Young Tony Marullo defending his NABF HW title against the challenge of unbeaten and top-rated contender, USBA Champ Tiger Jack Fox. The action opens in round three, with Marullo suprising Fox with a solid uppercut that drops Tiger Jack for a three-count. Fox bounces back with a strong round four, and his repeated blows cause a welt to form under Marullo’s left eye. Fox targets the eye, and in the fifth round he connects with a hard hook that forces Marullo to cover up. The end comes in a couple of rounds later when Fox backs Marullo up and knockds him down and out with a vicious combination. KO 7 for Tiger Jack Fox who now becomes third new NABF HW Champion in as many title bouts. Post-fight records: a perfect 27-0 (21) for Fox; 31-13-4 (17) for Marullo, who will hit Post-Prime next bout and, at that point, perhaps be known as “Old Tony Marullo.”

Dec. 3, 1932: Another card in Europe, this time in Sweden at the Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg. A pair of notable bouts are headlining this card. In the first co-feature, two top 10 MWs square off as former EBU titleholder Rene “Little Fox” DeVos faces German Hein Domgorgen. DeVos holds a MD 12 in their one prior outing, in 1928, for DeVos’ EBU crown, but now DeVos is at Post-Prime career stage. Domgorgen gets off to a good start and builds on it as the bout wears on. By the end of round five, his repeated blows have caused swelling under DeVos’ right eye. Then, a round later, Domgorgen backs DeVos up against the ropes and lands blow after unanswered blow, until the ref steps in and calls a halt to save DeVos from further punishment. TKO 6 for Domgorgen. The win moves Domgorgen to 33-11-1 (17); DeVos is now 49-15-2 (10). Then, in the second co-feature, EBU HW Champ Otto Von Porat takes on the current GBU Champ, Tommy “Tonypandy Terror” Farr. Farr looks sharp early, and he gradually builds a points lead while outboxing the Norwegian. However, it is a classic boxer versus slugger confrontation, as illustrated by round four, when Von Porat finally connects to put Farr on the deck for an eight-count. But, Farr continues to impress, and late in the bout it is Von Porat who begins to show signs of swelling under his right eye. Farr goes on to take a MD 12 (114-113, 114-114, 117-111) and capture the EBU belt. Post-fight, Farr improves to 28-5-1 (12); Von Porat ends the bout at 22-8-1 (12).

Dec. 3, 1932: The next card is at Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens. Luis Vicentini, long-time LW contender, faces current NABF Champ Cecil Payne in a key non-title bout on the card. Payne is hoping to move up in the LW ranks, taking advantage of the fact that Vicentini is now on the downside of his career. These plans go awry, however, when Payne sustains a cut over his left eye early in the bout. Payne’s corner does a good job patching up the cut, and he adopts a defensive posture after building a points lead in the first half of the bout. In the end, it is not enough, as Vicentini escapes with a SD 10 verdict in his favor (96-93, 94-95, 96-93). Post-fight records are 35-10-1 (13) for Vicentini and 27-5-3 (7) for Payne. After some desultory contests, it is time for the feature, which has hometown fan favorite, BW Bobby Leitham, defending his NABF BW title against challenger Bobby Green, who has won his last five in a row since a 1931 UD loss to Leitham to set up the rematch for the title. Not much happens until round five, when Green suffers a cut nose while Leitham is cut under his right eye. It is a close bout headed into the later rounds, and Leitham focuses on Green’s cut which proves to be troublesome for his corner to keep under control. Eventually the cut leads to a late stoppage with the bout still hanging in the balances. It goes down as a TKO 11 for Leitham on the cuts stoppage. Leitham moves to 25-4-1 (10) overall. Green is now 32-14-4 (15).

Dec. 9, 1932: Fistic action resumes with a Friday night card at Liverpool in the UK. No titles at stake, and it is a fairly pedestrian card with one feature bout involving two top Flyweights, ex-WBA Champ Fidel LaBarba and GBU titleholder Johnny Brown. Its is the first meeting of these two. LaBarba starts well but also allows Brown to get in some shots, such that by the end of the fourth round there is some swelling around LaBarba’s left eye. LaBarba is able to tough it out, though, turning in a strong performance in a bout that lasts the distance without any cuts or knockdowns being recorded. UD 10 for LaBarba (97-94, 97-94, 96-95) to move his record to 30-6-1 (9); Brown is now 21-6-2 (9).

Dec. 10, 1932: The scene shifts to St. Louis’ Kiel Auditorium. Two top LHs are featured in the co-main event, with veteran Paul Berlenbach (now in his last bout at Prime) facing Tiger Jack Payne. The two sluggers battle it out, with Berlenbach falling behind early but battling his way back by becoming gradually more aggressive in the middle rounds. In round seven, Berlenbach suffers a split lip, then in round eight there is noticeable swelling under Berlenbach’s left eye. Finally, in round nine, Berlenbach connects with a big uppercut that forces Payne to cover up. Later on, a cut emerges below Berlenbach’s left eye. Despite these difficulties, Berlenbach manages to hang on to take a UD 10 win (98-93, 98-93, 97-93) and improve his career record to 29-10 (21) while Payne ends the bout as 23-10 (9). The main event follows with Baby Joe Gans defending his NABF WW belt against veteran Tommy Freeman. It is the third meeting of the two, with the most recent encounter ending in a draw after Gans took the first bout via a split decision. This bout is close as well, and Freeman provides a tough challenge for Gans’ belt. Gans is forced to adopt a more aggressive posture in the later rounds. In round eight, he uses his jab to set up a clean combination that puts Freeman on the deck for a three-count. Then, in round 11, Gans gets careless and walks into a Freeman combination; he takes a nine-count before arising just before the bell. The bout goes the distance, with Freeman taking a SD 12 (116-110, 112-114, 114-112) to capture the title belt. Post-fight, Freeman is now 29-13-2 (12), with Gans dropping to 31-12-1 (14).

Dec. 16, 1932: Next up is a Friday night card in the Far East at Manila’s Rizal Arena. In the first of two co-features, two ex-WBA Champions battle as current OPBF WW Champ Irineo Flores squares off against Young Jack Thompson, with Thompson having already hit Post-Prime career stage. Nothing much happens until round five when Thompson breaks through, smothering Flores in a barrage of punches that puts the Filipino on the deck. However, throughout the middle rounds, Flores appears to be outscoring Thompson, and Thompson’s right eye soon shows the effects of the repeated blows. In round nine, Flores rocks Thompson with a big cross but is unable to follow up. A late cut over Flores’ right eye turns out not to be a factor in the result, which is a win for Flores, but only via a SD 10 (98-92, 94-96, 98-92) as one judge went for Thompson. Post-fight marks: 38-12-2 (18) for Flores, 33-10-5 (19) for Thompson. Flores has now won six in a row since losing the WBA title in 1930. In the main event, Archie Bell puts his WBA BW title on the line, facing Pablo Dano, whom he bested for the title back in 1931. The two boxers circle the ring and engage in a defensive struggle through the first half of the bout. Buoyed by strong support from the hometown crowd, Dano puts forth a tremendous effort o pose maximum difficulty for Bell. By the end of round 13, Bell is also battling a rapidly swelling left eye. To the delight of the crowd, Dano regains the WBA title belt via a UD 15 (145-141, 147-139, 144-142) as, in the end, it wasn’t that close. This marks the fourth new WBA titleholder is as many title bouts. Dano is now 25-2-2 (14) while Bell, at 32-8-2 (9), will be at Post-Prime career stage starting in 1933.

[JCWeb]

Here’s a summary of the ring action around the world from the second half of December 1932, covering a total of 68 bouts and wrapping up another exciting year of fistic action.

Dec. 17, 1932: Action returns to Europe with a nice card at the Sports Palace in Rome, Italy. The undercard includes young Italian HW Primo Carnera. In his first bout at Prime, the “Ambling Alp” faces Sweden Johnny Widd. Carnera starts well, staggering Widd at the end of round one. By the end of the third, Widd is showing some wear and tear, with noticeable swelling under his right eye. But it all goes south for Carnera a couple of rounds later when he walks into a Widd cross and tumbles to the deck. Carnera appears set to arise at the count of eight, but he loses his footing and tumbles back to the canvas and is counted out. KO 5 for Widd. Post-fight career totals are 20-5 (14) for Widd, and 17-3-1 (14) for Carnera. A few more bouts and then it is time for the main event, with EBU WW Champ Cleto Locatelli set to defend that belt against Commonwealth and GBU Champ Jack Hood. It is Locatelli’s third title defense and a rematch of a 1930 encounter that resulted in a UD win for the Swiss fighter. This time, Hood suffers a cut over his left eye at the outset, and Locatelli quickly develops a strategy based on targeting the cut. The cut turns out not to be an issue, but Locatelli is able to pile up a points lead that holds up as Hood is unable to mount a rally. The UD 12 (116-112, 116-113. 116-112) goes the way of Locatelli. Post-fight records: Locatelli, 25-7-1 (8); Hood, 23-8-6 (8).

Dec. 17, 1932: Next card is at a popular venue, New York City’s Madison Square Garden. On the undercard, ex-WBA FW Champ faces Tommy Paul. Paul proves to be a difficult opponent, and it is not until round seven that Suggs is able to break through his defenses, putting Paul on the deck for a seven-count. No more knockdowns, and this should have been enough for the win but, to everyone’s surprise, the judges call it a SD 10 win for Paul (96-93, 94-95, 95-94) who taks the last two rounds to steal the decision from the veteran Suggs. The win moves Paul to 22-5-2 (6); Suggs is now 42-14-5 (13). Then, in the main event, long-time MW Champ Mickey “the Toy Bulldog” Walker returns to the division to defend his title after dabbling in the LH division which resulted in two recent losses. His opponent in his 23^rd successive title defense (but his first defense in over a year) is USBA Champion Tony Tozzo. It does not take long for Walker to get on track, and by the end of the second round a couple of thundering shots from Walker have Tozzo reeling, with some noticeable swelling under the right eye. Near the end of round three, Walker staggers Tozzo with a big hook. Walker continues to dominate the action until round six, when he gets careless and walks into a Tozzo hook – with a surprise trip to the canvas for the Toy Bulldog. Walker arises quickly, and then bounces back with a fury a couple of rounds later when he lands blow after blow until the ref has seen enough. TKO 8 for Walker who keeps the belt. Post-fight marks: Walker, 50-3 (37); Tozzo, 19-6-2 (13).

Dec. 23, 1932: The next card is at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. No titles at stake, but HWs are featured in a pair of co-main events. First up is Max Baer, on the comeback trail after suffering his first career loss; Baer’s opponent is veteran Roy “Hoot” Burger. Burger proves to be a tough nut to crack, and by the end of round three, Baer is showing the effects with some redness under his left eye. By round five, however, Baer is back on target, trapping Burger in the corner then firing a hard shot off the top of the head that forces his opponent to cover up. More of the same a couple of rounds later, with Baer snapping Burger’s head back with a strong uppercut. Burger’s left eye is swelling, and Baer continues to hammer away until the ref steps in to call a halt. TKO 7 for Baer. Post-fight records are 17-1 (16) for Baer and 20-8-1 (11) for Burger. Good to see Baer back on track, but he did seem to struggle at times with the shopworn Burger. The second co-feature has Ad Warren facing Lee Ramage. Ramage puts forth a solid effort, combining slick boxing skills and defense to build a points lead. By the end of round seven, though, there is noticeable swelling under the right eye of Ramage. Nonetheless, Ramage perseveres and goes on to take a close but UD 10 (96-94 on all three cards) to improve to 20-1 (8) overall. Warren is now 21-5 (18).

Dec. 26, 1932: Next up is the traditional “Boxing Day” card in the UK, this time at London’s Earls Court. Nothing of note on the undercard, but the main event is a WBA LW title bout as Tony Canzoneri defends against new USBA Champ Roger Bernard. Canzoneri starts by working outside, but he gradually gets more aggressive in the middle rounds, with positive results. In round six, Bernard is cut on the nose, and the bleeding proves difficult to stop. The cut is reopened and finally leads to a stoppage in the middle of the 10^th round. TKO 10 for Canzoneri, who has won his fourth WBA title bout in a row to move his career totals to 24-8-2 (14); Bernard ends up the bout at 26-5 (12).

Dec. 30, 1932: The scene shifts to Miami for the final Friday night card of 1932. Two title bouts featuring a couple of top HW contenders, a support bout pairing two unbeaten young light heavies, plus a hot young BW prospect fill out an impressive card. The young BW is 14-0 Sixto Escobar who steps up to challenge veteran Vic Foley, still ranked among the top 10 BWs. The two appear to be evenly matched through the first four rounds, but then in round five Escobar lands a huge shot to send Foley to the canvas. Both men settle in to a bruising bout the rest of the way, with Escobar and Foley both showing signs of swelling under the left eye. Escobar goes on to take a UD 10 (97-92, 97-92, 95-94) and runs his career totals to 15-0 (8), while for Foley, it is his last bout at Prime, dropping him to 34-16-2 (10). The two LHs include hot prospect John Henry Lewis, who has been brought along slowly, but now faces another unbeaten prospect in Norman Conrad. Lewis holds a slight edge on points through the first half of the bout, but he crashes through in round seven when he puts Conrad down with an uppercut. Conrad arises but looks shaky, and there is just enough time for Lewis to bring about an early end to his evening – the ref steps in to call a halt. The TKO 7 for Lewis keeps his perfect record intact, 12 KO wins in 12 outings, while Conrad slips to 12-1 (10). Then it is time for the double barrel HW title action, featuring Young Stribling (the NABF Champion) and Jack Sharkey (the reigning USBA king) in two separate bouts. Stribling’s opponent is veteran Bearcat Wright, who is in trouble from the opening bell as Stribling lands repeatedly, causing Bearcat’s left eye to start puffing up before the end of the opening round. Then, in round four, things get worse as Wright sustains a cut over the eye as well. The end comes a round later as Stribling connects with a combination of blows that put Wright down and out. The KO 5 lifts Stribling to 43-6-2 (24); Wright ends the bout at 29-14-3 (20). Then, in the final bout of the evening, the “Boston Gob,” Jack Sharkey, faces the challenge of Joe “Bingo” Banovic. It’s a defensive struggle, with Sharkey giving a good account of himself while Banovic manages to keep the bout close. Late in the bout, Sharkey is cut over the right eye but the cut is not a factor in the outcome. The bout goes to decision, and Sharkey manages to escape with a SD 12 (115-113, 114-115, 115-113) in order to keep his title, which he has held since 1930 (through three successful defenses). Post-fight, Sharkey is now 28-7 (17), compared to 25-6 (8) for Banovic. Both Stribling and Sharkey are hoping for a WBA title shot in 1933, but it’s also possible the duo might be paired with each other in a popular rematch of prior bouts.

Dec. 31, 1932: Last card of 1932 is at Havana’s Gran Stadium. No titles at stake, but several local fighters are featured. In one bout, young Argentinian LW Justo Suarez has his hands full with Cuban veteran Emory Cabana. Suarez must battle a swollen and cut left eye as well as Cabana. Finally, he breaks through with a solid uppercut that forces Cabana to cover up. However, a frustrated Suarez loses control and unleashes a series of low blows that prompt whistles and boos from the pro-Cabana crowd, but the ref is not amused, calling a halt and awarding the bout to Cabana via a DQ-9. Post-fight marks: 30-12-4 (12) for Cabana, 22-4 for Suarez. However, veteran Flyweight Black Bill proves no match for his younger counterpart, former Olympic Champion Istvan Enekes, who is visiting from Hungary. Enekes coasts to a UD 10 (97-93 on all three cards) to move to 14-1-1 (8) overall, while Black Bill – now near the end of his career – ends the bout at 26-16-6 (14). The main event showcases two FWs, with hometown favorite Filio Julian Echevarria facing the veteran OPBF Champ, Filipino Elino Flores. Echevarria pulls ahead of his more experienced opponent in the middle rounds. The boug goes the distance as both men finish the contest unmarked. Echevarria takes a UD 10 (96-93, 95-94, 95-94), perhaps aided by some hometown judging. The popular Cuban is now 19-4-3 (11) while Flores wraps up the Prime stage of his career with a record of 30-16-5 (12).

[JCWeb]

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.

[Lee]

Nice, can't wait for Louis to hit the scene. I think Baer could pose a legit threat to Schmeling.

Good stuff as always JC

[JCWeb]

1932 LH Title Bouts

WBA: Tommy Loughran defended once against Maxie Rosenbloom (UD 15) then moved up to challenge some HWs for the rest of the year.

NABF: This title changed hands twice, with Young Tony Marullo dethroning Jimmy Slattery (UD 12) before losing to Tiger Jack Fox (KO 7).

USBA: Tiger Jack Fox continued to roll, defending twice, over Tiger Jack Payne (TKO 12) and Lou Scozza (KO 1) before moving up to successfully challenge for the NABF title later in the year.

CBU: Jack Delaney retained the Commonwealth title in his one and only 1932 defense, besting Harry Dillon (TKO 4).

GBU: Gypsy Daniels defended for the first time since 1930, decisionining veteran Charlie Tonner (UD 12).

EBU: Len Harvey defended this title, long dormant, for the first time since 1929, beating Rinaldo Palmucci (UD 12). However, Gustavo Roth was too much for the veteran Harvey, who had held the EBU title since 1925, with Roth becoming the new EBU Champion via a UD 12.

LH Division Stats

Total: 126 RL: 80 TC: 46

End: 6
Post: 17
Prime: 39
Pre: 14
Beginning: 4 (2 New)

Rated: 60
800+: 15
500+: 30
200+: 51

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

Champ: Tommy Loughran 48-4-4 (18) (1978) (NC)
1. Tiger Jack Fox 27-0 (21) (1313) (+2) (NABF, USBA)
2. George Manley 30-14 (16) (1234) (+8)
3. Jimmy Slattery 31-13-3 (12) (1233) (+1)
4. Jack Delaney 40-10-3 (26) (1209) (-3) (CBU)
5. Maxie Rosenbloom 29-8-6 (13) (1143) (NC)
6. Paul Berlenbach 29-10 (21) (1022) (+1)
7. Lou Scozza 31-5-1 (23) (1028) (+2)
8. Young Tony Marullo 31-13-4 (17) (994) (-2)
9. Battling Bozo 21-2-1 (10) (848) (+10)
10. George Courtney 25-10-3 (22) (834) (NC)

Others: 11. Gustave Roth 26-3-2 (12) (814) (+13) (EBU)
38. Gypsy Daniels 30-19-2 (18) (374) (+1) (GBU)

Comments: Everyone listed at Prime, except for Delaney, Berlenbach, Marullo and Daniels, who will all be at Post in 1933. Two newcomers to the top 10, displacing vet Len Harvey (-11 to #13, now 39-9-2, 15 KO), Young Firpo (-7 to #15, 21-9-3, 14 KO). Top newcomer to the list is Marty Simmons, who is a perfect 15-0 (11) and rated #25.

Prospects: John Henry Lewis, with 12 KO wins, is the best of the younger crop.

Retirements:
Buck Holley (USA) 1919-32 30-22-5 (20) No Titles Highest Rank: 23
Bobby Brown (USA) 1922-32 25-17-1 (19) No Titles Highest Rank: 11
Mike McTigue (USA) 1914-32 37-30-5 (22) No Titles Highest Rank: 7

Looking Ahead: Loughran may continue along a historical path, abandoning the LH title to pursue the HW division. Tiger Jack Fox, Rosenbloom, Scozza and even a rejuvenated Harvey are potential successors. Jimmy Adamick is one of two new additions to the division in 1933.

[JCWeb]

1932 MW Title Bouts

WBA: Mickey Walker, who spent the better part of the year dabbling in the LH division, did manage one defense of his MW WBA title, besting Tony Tozzo (TKO 8).

NABF: Freddie Steele, the "Tacoma Assassin," captured the belt from Harry Ebbetts (TKO 5), then defended it three times, against Gorilla Jones (UD 12), Ace Hudkins (TKO 3) and Tony Tozzo (TKO 8).

USBA: This belt was declared vacant after Steele won the NABF title, with Tony Tozzo defeated Jack McVey (MD 12) and then defending once, against Jock Malone (UD 12).

CBU: No defenses of the title belt, won by Jock McAvoy in 1931.

GBU: McAvoy defended this belt twice, defeating Ted Moore (UD 12) and Jack "Cast Iron" Casey (KO 5).

EBU: The belt changed hands twice during the year, with Rene DeVos ousting titleholder Len Johnson (SD 12) then defending against Mario Bosisio (UD 12). Then, Enzo Fiermonte captured the title by downing DeVos (UD 12).

OPBF: Ron Richards became just the second OPBF MW Champion in history by defeating Ceferino Garcia (SD 12); Garcia had held the belt since 1927.

Division Profile

Total: 158 RL: 95 TC: 63

End: 9
Post: 25
Prime: 42
Pre: 15
Beginning: 4 (2 New)

Rated: 85
800+: 19
500+: 50
200+: 76

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

Champion: Mickey Walker 50-3 (38) (1538) (NC)
1. Enzo Fiermonte 28-6-2 (11) (1230) (+15) (EBU)
2. Freddie Steele 27-2 (22) (1229) (NC) (NABF)
3. Hein Domgorgen 33-11-1 (17) (1021) (+14)
4. Rene DeVos 49-15-2 (18) (1020) (-3)
5. Young Terry 25-8-3 (10) (991) (+8)
6. Johnny Romero 23-5 (16) (990) (+1)
7. Vince Dundee 30-7-2 (14) (971) (+5)
8. Len Johnson 29-14-3 (17) (962) (-2)
9. Jock McAvoy 22-2-4 (16) (942) (+1) (CBU, GBU)
10. Jock Malone 38-20-4 (14) (941) (-2)

Others: 13. Ron Richards 20-2-2 (17) (895) (+28) (OPBF)
15. Tony Tozzo 19-7-2 (13) (873) (+14) (USBA)

Comments: DeVos, Johnson and Malone at Post; others listed still at Prime. Four newcomers to the top 10 (Fiermonte, Domgorgen, Terry and Vince Dundee) replacing C. Garcia (-8, to #14); Ebbetts (-12, to #17); Billy Bird, -10, to #19; and Ace Hudkins, -17, to #20. Eddie "Babe" Risko, now 17-1 (8) is the top newcomer to the rankings, at #31, while unbeaten Aussie Fred Henneberry checks in at #35, at 15-0 (10).

Prospects: Ken Overlin, at 14-0 (11), has maintained a clean slate thus far. German Erich Seelig, at 12-1 (6) suffered his first career loss. Sammy Slaughter (9-0, 8) and Holman Williams (5-0, 5 KO) are off to good starts.

Retirements:
Tommy Milligan (UK) 1921-32 26-17-2 (20) GBU Champ Highest Rank: 24
Jimmy Darcy (USA) 1915-32 40-29-4 (14) No Titles Highest Rank: 12

Outlook: Walker suffered a couple of setbacks after moving up to LH, so it remains to be seen if if he will continue as MW Champion. Fiermonte, Steele, Domgorgen, Terry, Romero and McAvoy are angling to become possible successors. No one is likely to emerge from the ranks of the prospects for several years, at least. Ben Brown and Glen Lee are two strong new additions to the division slated to debut in 1933.

[JCWeb]

WW 1932 Title Bouts

WBA: Jimmy McLarnin began the year with the belt and retained it with four successful defenses, defeating Cleto Locatelli (TKO 7), Barney Ross (UD 15), Manuel Quintero (UD 15) and Locatelli, in a rematch (UD 15).

NABF: Three title bouts and three new champions emerge. First, Johnny Indrisano took the belt from Joe Dundee (UD 12). Baby Joe Gans then captured the title, defeating Indrisano (UD 12). Gans also lost the title in his first defense, losing out to Tommy Freeman (SD 12).

USBA: Johnny Indrisano retained the title, defending against Young Jack Thompson (UD 12). He kept the title belt despite holding the NABF title briefly during the year.

CBU: The belt was vacant at the start of the year, after McLarnin became WBA Champion. Jack Carroll defeated Bermondsey Billy Wells for the vacant belt (UD 12), then Jack Hood downed Carroll (also via UD 12) to take the belt.

GBU: No title bouts were arranged, so Jack Hood retains this belt without having made a defense since 1930.

EBU: Cleto Locatelli retained the title he won in 1930 with a successful title defense against Jack Hood (UD 12).

OPBF: Lope Tenorio began 1932 with the belt, retaining it in a defense versus Ted Morgan (UD 12), but lost the title to fellow countryman Irineo Flores (UD 12).

Division Profile

Total: 120 RL: 80 TC: 40

End: 7
Post: 21
Prime: 31
Pre: 15
Beginning: 6 (5 New)

Rated: 64
800+: 19
500+: 36
200+: 58

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

Champion: Jimmy McLarnin 37-4 (21) (1560) (NC)
1. Irineo Flores 38-12-2 (18) (1430) (+3) (OPBF)
2. Benny Leonard 82-7-2 (42) (1209) (NC)
3. Cleto Locatelli 25-7-1 (8) (1187) (+3) (EBU)
4. Young Corbett III 36-9-3 (12) (1176) (-1)
5. Joe Dundee 36-14-6 (12) (1143) (-4)
6. Johnny Indrisano 25-5-4 (10) (1116) (+1) (USBA)
7. Jackie Fields 26-1-2 (14) (1093) (+1)
8. Young Jack Thompson 33-10-5 (19) (1091) (+1)
9. Tommy Freeman 29-13-2 (12) (993) (+1) (NABF)
10. Baby Joe Gans 31-12-1 (14) (992) (+2)

Other: 17. Jack Hood 23-8-6 (8) (828) (+6) (CBU, GBU)

Comments: Leonard and Thompson at Post, to be joined in 1933 by Fields; the remainder still at Prime. Only top ten dropout was Jack Sparr, who is now at End career stage after sliding 15 spots down to #20. Still unbeaten, Cocoa Kid is the top newcomer to the rankings list at #18 with a 18-0-1 (10) career start. Barney Ross wrapped up the Pre-Prime stage of his career with a 18-1-1 (7) mark, good for the #22 spot in the rankings.

Prospects: Mexican Kid Azteca is off to a 13-1 (8) career start; Chuck Woods is now 11-1 (8). Wildcat O'Connor, at 11-0 (9), Eddie Dolan, at 9-0 (6), and Fritzie Zivic, at 9-0 (7), are still unbeaten.

Retirements:
Georgie Ward (USA) 1918-32 28-24-4 (16) No Titles Highest Rank: 31

Outlook: McLarnin appears set for a long run as the Champion, but guys like Barney Ross and Cocoa Kid are building up their career totals and likely to be strong contenders in future years. Five new faces added to the WW ranks for 1933.

[JCWeb]

JWW 1932 Title Bouts

WBA: The "Whitechapel Whirlwind," Jack Kid Berg, defended the belt once during the year, retaining it over challenger Johnny Jadick (UD 15).

USBA: Mickey Cohen defended this belt twice during the year, against Mushy Callahan (UD 12) and Battling Shaw (UD 12).

No other belts are active for this division.

Division Profile

Total: 15 RL: 7 TC: 8

Post: 2
Prime: 5

Rated: 7
800+: 1
500+: 4
200+: 7

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

Champ: Jack Kid Berg 29-4-3 (13) (964) (NC)
1. Battling Shaw 21-3-2 (12) (623) (NC)
2. Mickey Cohen 18-14-1 (9) (503) (+1) (USBA)
3. Mushy Callahan 25-12-2 (9) (402) (-1)
4. Johnny Jadick 29-14-1 (7) (535) (NC)
5. Spug Myers 30-25-4 (12) (293) (NC)
6. Harry Wallach 21-14-2 (11) (248) (NC)

Comments: Jack Kid Berg continues to rule the roost in this very thin division. Callahan and Wallach are at Post-Prime, and Myers is set to his Post in a year. Jadick has more points than two rated above him, perhaps due to better results against other divisions.

Prospects: None, at the present time.

Retirements: None for 1932.

Outlook: No changes on the horizon for this rather stagnant division. The title will continue in force as long as Jack Kid Berg stays in the division. It's possible that Barney Ross may drop down from WW to add some competition.

[JCWeb]

LW 1932 Title Bouts

WBA: Five title bouts during the year. Billy Petrolle began the year as the Champion, and defended once against Luis Vicentini (TKO 8). Then, Tony Canzoneri beat Petrolle (UD 15) to claim the title. Canzoneri defended successfully against Cecil Payne (UD 15), Ray Miller (TKO 8) and then Roger Bernard (TKO 10).

NABF: Canzoneri relinquished this belt after winning the WBA title. Cecil Payne claimed the vacant belt, besting Roger Bernard (UD 12). He defended once, versus Joe Glick (also a UD 12).

USBA: This belt got passed around alot, with three new Champions in three title bouts. First, Sammy Fuller captured the belt from Al Gordon (UD 12). Then, Jack Portney defeated Fuller (UD 12). Finally, Roger Bernard ousted Portney (UD 12) to take the title.

CBU: Billy Grime defended the belt against long-time rival Harry Mason (TKO 7) in his only defense of the year.

GBU: Harry Mason defended twice against challenger George Rose, with the first bout ending in a draw, followed by a TKO 8 win for Mason.

EBU: Benny Valgar, the "French Flash," began the year with the belt, which he has held, with just two slight interruptions, almost continuously since 1922. After a successful defense against Francois Sybille (UD 12), Harry Mason was able to dethrone Valgar (UD 12) to end his long title reign.

Division Profile

Total: 129 RL: 77 TC: 52

End: 8
Post: 11
Prime: 38
Pre: 12
Beginning: 8
New: 4

Rated: 58
800+: 16
500+: 37
200+: 56

Jan 1933 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from 1932 in Parens):
Champion: Tony Canzoneri 28-4-2 (14) (1530) (+4)
1. Billy Petrolle 40-4-3 (21) (1469) (-1)
2. Ray Miller 33-9 (14) (1285) (-1)
3. Stanislaus Loayza 27-14-3 (11) (1093) (+5)
4. Luis Vicentini 35-10-1 (13) (1083) (-2)
5. Jack Portney 23-4-2 (14) (1014) (+11)
6. Sammy Fuller 32-7 (8) (1009) (-3)
7. Roger Bernard 26-5 (12) (984) (+2) (USBA)
8. Al Gordon 29-12-7 (9) (926) (-1)
9. Tommy O'Brien 39-18-6 (17) (906) (+4)
10. Emory Cabana 30-12-4 (12) (899) (+8)

Others: 13. Cecil Payne 27-5-3 (7) (843) (+4) (NABF)
14. Billy Grime 27-18-2 (15) (828) (+13) (CBU)
24. Harry Mason 31-18-3 (5) (677) (+7) (EBU, GBU)

Comments: All of the above will be at Prime starting 1933 except for Vicentini, Gordon and O'Brien. Canzoneri reigns as Champion but Petrolle is still a serious threat to regain the title. Dropping out of the top 10 for the first time since 1924 is the "French Flash," Benny Valgar, who drops one spot to #11 after losing the EBU title to Mason. Two other veterans, Sammy Mandell (-10 spots to #15) and Jimmy Goodrich (-12 to #18) also took tumbles. Aldo Spoldi, at 15-0-1 (9) is the top newcomer to the list, at #28. Wesley Ramey (#31, at 16-1-2, 8 KO) and Herb Bishop (#43, 16-2, 9 KO) are also making their initial appearance in the rankings.

Prospects: Brit George Daly remained unbeaten, finishing the year at 13-0 (6). Pedro Montanez has one loss, checking in at 10-1 (8). Other prospects remain unbeaten, feasting on TC opposition.

Retirements:
Charley O'Connell (USA) 1919-32 31-25-1 (16) No Titles Highest Rank: 15
Solly Seeman (USA) 1920-32 30-21-3 (13) No Titles Highest Rank: 9
Pedro Amador (PAN) 1926-32 17-10-1 (12) No Titles Highest Rank: 37
Johnny Trambitas (USA) 1919-32 29-19-1 (14) No Titles Highest Rank: 21
Sid Barbarian (USA) 1919-32 34-18-2 (16) No Titles Highest Rank: 11
(also JLW)

Outlook: The LW division remains one of the deepest and competitive, with a number of fighters at or near the 1000 PP plateau, and four title belts being held by guys not in the current top 10. Canzoneri is likely to face some strong challenges for the WBA title belt from Petrolle, Miller, Loayza, and others. Four newcomers are set to join the ranks in 1933.

[JCWeb]

JLW 1932 Title Bouts

WBA: Tod Morgan began the year with the title, and he successfully defended twice during the year, besting Leslie Wildcat Carter (UD 15) and Benny Bass (UD 15).

USBA: This belt has been dormant since the retirement of Johnny Dundee in 1931.

Division Profile

Total: 14 RL: 8 TC: 6

End: 0
Post: 2
Prime: 6

Rated: 8
800+: 2
500+: 6
200+: 8

Jan 1933 Rankings (Perf Pts and Changes from 1932 in Parens):
Champion: Tod Morgan 39-9-1 (12) (1283) (NC)
1. Benny Bass 38-14-3 (14) (869) (NC)
2. Frankie Klick 24-11-2 (12) (584) (NC)
3. Leslie Wildcat Carter 22-7-1 (9) (527) (+4)
4. Mike Ballerino 26-16-4 (7) (526) (-1)
5. Pete Nebo 19-7-1 (11) (518) (NC)
6. Jack Bernstein 30-21-2 (6) (490) (NC)
7. Eddie Wagner 39-29-2 (18) (349) (-3)

Comments: All at Prime except Bernstein and Wagner, who will be at Post for 1933.

Retirement:
Sid Barbarian (USA) 1919-32 34-18-2 (16) WBA JLW Champ 1926-27

Outlook: Similar to the other Junior division (JWW), things are rather moribund and the outlook is bleak with no new additions on the horizon. However, as long as Morgan and Bass are in the division, there will be some competition for the one available title belt.

[JCWeb]

FW 1932 Title Bouts

WBA: Babe Herman began the year with the belt, but he lost it to Louis Kaplan (UD 15), beginning Kaplan's fifth stint as WBA FW Champion. Kaplan defended once versus Battling Battalino (UD 15), before being dethroned by the first Mexican WBA Champion, Baby Arizmendi (UTD 11). Arizmendi then successfully defended versus Brit Al Foreman (TKO 11) to end the year as the WBA Champ.

NABF: Arizmendi began his march toward the title by capturing this belt from Jose Lombardo (UD 12). Arizmendi then defended once, besting veteran Chick Suggs (UD 12) before moving up to win the WBA crown, vacating the NABF title. Meeting for the vacant belt, ex-Champ Babe Herman beat Battling Battalino (TKO 12) to end the year with this title.

USBA: Battling Battalino defeated Dick Finnegan (TKO 11) to capture the belt, then he made one successful defense against Freddie Miller (UD 12).

CBU: Only one bout for this title, which changed hands as Canada's Pete DeGrasse managed to oust Johnny Cuthbert (UD 12), who had held the belt since 1928.

GBU: Al Foreman took the title from Cuthbert (UD 12).

EBU: This belt changed hands twice during the three title bouts held in 1932. First, Frenchman Maurice Holtzer claimed the belt, decisioning Dane Knud Larsen (UD 12). Holtzer defended against Brit Nel Tarleton (UTD 7). Finally, Dom Volante captured the title by beating Holtzer (UD 12).

OPBF: One title bout during the year, a successful defense by Elino Flores over fellow Filipino Young Nationalista (UD 12).

Division Profile

Total: 124 RL: 81 TC: 43

End: 5
Post: 22
Prime: 34
Pre: 9
Beginning: 11 (8 New)

Rated: 59
800+: 12
500+: 37
200+: 56

Jan 1933 Rankings (Perf Points and Changes from 1932 in Parens):
Champion: Baby Arizmendi 22-2-1 (10) (1134) (+12)
1. Babe Herman 34-17-5 (15) (1143) (-1) (NABF)
2. Louis Kaplan 41-12-1 (10) (1082) (+3)
3. Jose Lombardo 33-13-4 (20) (966) (+1)
4. Dom Volante 27-10-2 (17) (899) (-1) (EBU)
5. Tommy Paul 22-5-2 (6) (867) (+22)
6. Chick Suggs 42-14-5 (13) (866) (-5)
7. Freddie Miller 21-3 (10) (857) (+1)
8. Andy Martin 30-9-2 (9) (833) (-1)
9. Dick Finnegan 32-15 (10) (807) (-3)
10. Chalky Wright 19-3-2 (11) (806) (+3)

Others: 11. Al Foreman 30-18-1 (21) (805) (+14) (GBU)
14. Battling Battalino 23-6 (12) (764) (+6) (USBA)
18. Elino Flores 30-16-5 (12) (661) (-9) (OPBF)
23. Pete DeGrasse 22-7-1 (5) (624) (-7) (CBU)

Comments: Arizmendi moved all the way to the WBA title, and all three of the leading contenders -- Herman, Kaplan and Lombardo -- will begin 1933 at Post-Prime, along with Finnegan and OPBF Champion Flores. Tommy Paul, who has fashioned a two-year unbeaten streak, zoomed up the rankings with an upset win over veteran Chick Suggs. In addition to Flores, the other top 10 dropouts include ex-EBU Champ Knud Larsen (-13, to #15) and ex-CBU and GBU Champ Johnny Cuthbert (-14, to #24). Petey Hayes, debuting at #36 (16-1-1, 7 KO) is the top newcomer to the rankings list,

Prospects: Still unbeaten is Aussie Merv Blandon, who is now 13-0 (11). Jim "Spider" Kelly also remains perfect, at 10-0 (6), but a surprise TKO loss on a cut meant highly regarded Henry Armstrong ended the year at 7-1 (7).

Retirements:
Benny Vierra (USA) 1920-32 21-23-5 (6) No Titles Highest Rank: 24
Carl Duane (USA) 1920-32 25-18-3 (12) WBA Champ 1926 Highest Rank: 2
Red Chapman (USA) 1920-32 24-22-4 (6) No Titles Highest Rank: 18
Milton Cohen (USA) 1923-32 21-15-3 (9) No Titles Highest Rank: 26

Outlook: Definitely this division is in a transition period, with lots of turnover in both the titleholders and top contenders and no dominant Champion since the days of Abe Attell. Expect to see even more turnover among the top 10 list as aging hits guys like Herman, Kaplan and Lombardo. Chalky Wright, Kid Chocolate and Jackie Wilson appear to be on the way up and are future challengers. "Homicide Hank" Armstrong is still several years away. A total of 8 (!) new fighters swell the division ranks in 1933.

[JCWeb]

BW 1932 Title Bouts

WBA: Four title bouts in 1932, and the title changed hands four times. Speedy Dado began the year with the belt, but ex-Champ Panama Al Brown successfully challenged and regained the title from Dado (TKO 5). Then, Brit Johnny King dethroned Brown (UD 15). Archie Bell then defeated King in the latter's first defense (TKO 12). Finally, the title returned to the Philippines when Pable Dano defeated Bell (UD 15) to become the fifth different titleholder during the year.

NABF: Canadian Bobby Leitham, the "Verdun Flash," retained the belt with two successful defenses, beating Dynamite Murphy (TKO 12) and Bobby Green (TKO 11).

USBA: Archie Bell captured the belt from the previous titleholder, Eddie "Cannonball" Martin (UD 12) and defended once, versus Happy Atherton (UD 12). Bell then relinquished the title after winning the WBA belt. In the matchup for the vacant belt, Pete Sanstol defeated Bud Taylor (UD 12).

CBU: Johnny King began the year with this belt and defended successfully against Bobby Leitham (MD 12). The belt was vacated when King moved up to win the WBA title. In the matchup for the vacant belt, Leitham was successful, downing Howard Mayberry (UD 12). Leitham then defended once, edging Brit Benny Sharkey (SD 12).

GBU: Johnny King relinquished the belt, and Benny Sharkey was elevated to the position of titleholder without the need for a title bout -- and no defenses by Sharkey to date.

EBU: King began the year with this title, but the belt was vacated after King won the WBA crown. In the matchup for the vacant belt, Kid Francis defeated Benny Sharkey (UD 12). Then, in a rematch, Sharkey turned the tables and beat Francis (SD 12) to end the year with this title.

OPBF: Speedy Dado, former WBA Champion, was reinstated as OPBF Champion and successfully defended against Pablo Dano (UD 12) and aging veteran Pete Sarmiento (TKO 7).

Division Profile

Total: 95 RL: 58 TC: 37

End: 5
Post: 17
Prime: 17
Pre: 11
Beginning: 8 (2 New)

Rated: 44
800+: 15
500+: 32
200+: 43

Jan 1933 Rankings (Perf Pts and Changes from 1932 in Parens):
Champion: Pablo Dano 25-2-2 (14) (1184) (+1)
1. Bobby Leitham 25-4-1 (10) (1137) (+5) (NABF, CBU)
2. Johnny King 26-3 (14) (1100) (+2)
3. Archie Bell 32-8-2 (9) (1090) (+7)
4. Speedy Dado 22-8-1 (12) (1083) (-4) (OPBF)
5. Bushy Graham 31-14-1 (10) (1043) (-2)
6. Pete Sanstol 25-3 (8) (1026) (+7) (USBA)
7. Memphis Pal Moore 55-22-8 (15) (930) (+2)
8. Kid Francis 25-11-3 (6) (913) (NC)
9. Bobby Green 32-14-4 (15) (906) (+7)
10. Eddie Martin 35-16-3 (15) (892) (-8)

Others: 13. Benny Sharkey 19-2-1 (15) (812) (+7) (EBU, GBU)

Comments: Bell and Martin at Post, and Memphis Pal Moore hanging in despite being at End career stage; by contrast, ex-Champ Panama Al Brown, still at Prime, toppled nine spots all the way down to #14 after suffering an upset loss to Brit Dick Corbett; it is the first time Brown has been outside the top 10 since 1925. Another top 10 dropout was Canadian veteran Vic Foley, who slipped from #7 to #12. Still at Pre-Prime, Sixto Escobar at 15-0 (8) is the top newcomer to the list, debuting at a lofty #11 position. Another top newcomer, at #25, is Young Tommy, at 15-2 (11).

Prospects: Canto Robleto staggered to a 10-4 (8) career start, having suffered a couple of tough losses to "name" opponents. Korean Jo Teiken has kept a clean slate and ended the year at 12-0 (11). Mickey Cohen checks in at 12-1 (7).

Retirements:
Nat Pincus (UK) 1922-32 19-21 (11) No Titles Highest Rank: 37
Packey O'Gatty (USA) 1916-32 34-24-5 (19) USBA Champ Highest Rank: 7
Abe Goldstein (USA) 1916-32 39-18-4 (12) NABF, USBA Champ Highest Rank: 1
Carl Tremaine (CAN) 1918-32 33-27 (16) CBU Champ Highest Rank: 12
Henny Catena (USA) 1921-32 23-24-2 (7) No Titles Highest Rank: 15

Outlook: With four new Champions in four title bouts during 1932, the top of the BW is definitely in a state of flux. Young guns like Sixto Escobar, Benny Sharkey and K. O. Morgan are definitely in the mix, but even ex-Champs like Johnny King, Panama Al Brown and Speedy Dado cannot be ignored. Two newcomers are slated to join the division in 1933.

[JCWeb]

FLY 1932 Title Bouts

WBA: Midget Wolgast started the year with the title belt, and he was an active champion, defending four times: versus Kid Socks (TKO 8), Fidel LaBarba (UD 15), Izzy Schwartz (TKO 8) and Pinky Silverberg (TKO 15).

NABF: Izzy Schwartz took this title from Ruby Bradley (UD 12), making it three new champions in the last three title bouts.

USBA: Schwartz began the year with this belt, defended versus Frankie Genaro (TKO 8), then stepped up to claim the NABF title. Then, Fidel LaBarba beat Newsboy Brown (UD 12) to claim the vacant belt.

CBU: Kid Socks retained this title in his only defense of the year, bettering Canadian Albert "Frenchy" Belanger (UD 12).

GBU: Jackie Brown captured the title from Johnny Hill (TKO 11).

EBU: This belt also changed hands in 1932, with Harry Stein downing Emile Pladner (UD 12).

OPBF: This title has remained inactive since the retirement of Pancho Villa in 1930.

Division Profile

Total: 62 RL: 36 TC: 26

End: 2
Post: 9
Prime: 13
Pre: 6
Beginning: 6 (3 New)

Rated: 24
800+: 4
500+: 15
200+: 22

Jan 1933 Rankings (Perf Pts and Change from 1932 in Parens):
Champion: Midget Wolgast 30-4 (15) (1181) (NC)
1. Izzy Schwartz 29-13-2 (7) (1024) (NC) (NABF)
2. Fidel LaBarba 30-6-1 (9) (1005) (+1) (USBA)
3. Frankie Genaro 40-13-1 (18) (853) (-1)
4. Johnny Vacca 27-6-2 (11) (729) (+2)
5. Pinky Silverberg 32-21-5 (10) (719) (+5)
6. Kid Socks 28-16-2 (8) (696) (+6) (CBU)
7. Newsboy Brown 36-11-2 (11) (695) (-3)
8. Jackie Brown 21-6-2 (9) (626) (+5) (GBU)
9. Harry Stein 27-9-1 (19) (599) (+8) (EBU)
10. Emile Pladner 20-9-1 (8) (598) (-5)

Comments: For 1933, LaBarba and Newsboy Brown will be joining Schwartz and Vacca at Post-Prime career stage. Those dropping out of the top 10 from 1932 were Ruby Bradley, down four spots to #11; Emil Paluso, -5 to #14; and Black Bill, -7 to #15. Top newcomer to the list is Hungarian Istvan Enekes, who is ranked #12 with a 14-1-1 (8) career start.

Prospects: Spaniard Fortunato Ortega improved to 12-1 (7) despite a loss early in his career. Brit Benny Lynch (11-0, 10 KO) and Filipino Small Montana (11-0, 6 KO) maintained unbeaten slates.

Retirements:
Alex Burlie (CAN) 1922-32 19-19-4 (8) No Titles Highest Rank: 10
Johnny Hill (UK) 1926-32 20-12-1 (12) CBU, GBU Champ Highest Rank: 13
Lew Perfetti (USA) 1922-32 26-20-4 (14) NABF Champ Highest Rank: 5
Elky Clark (UK) 1921-32 32-15-2 (16) WBA Champ 1925-26, 1929

Outlook: With the aging kicking in for several top contenders, Wolgast may be set for a lengthy run as WBA Flyweight Champion; his perf point totals are approaching 1200, an all-time high for this division. Enekes and Tunisian Young Perez may be building their careers to become future contenders. Only three new additions to the FLY ranks in 1933.