From The Phillyboxing Site

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Former welterweight Bennie Briscoe made his middleweight debut in this bout for the Pennsylvania State Middleweight Title on this day in 1966. George Benton, once the top contender for the 160-pound division, showed signs of his brilliant defensive technique early in the fight and used effective jabs and hard right hands to build an early lead. But it was Briscoe's wrecking ball style that eventually won the day. Bennie pushed forward working Benton's body, slowly wearing him down.

In the 9th round Briscoe pinned Benton in the corner and pounded away for almost three minutes. The always tough and savvy Benton survived the onslaught but the end certainly seemed near. In his corner just before the 10th and final round, George's manager Herman Diamond stopped the fight despite the beaten fighter's protest. It was only one of two times Benton was stopped (the other time due to cuts) in his long career.

For Briscoe it was the start of his great middleweight run. The following year, his draw with future Middleweight Champ Carlos Monzon at Luna Park in Buenos Aires, would solidify him as a legitimate title threat.

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DECEMBER 6, 1965

Stanley 'Kitten' Hayward W10 Bennie Briscoe

The Arena - Philadelphia, PA

On this day in 1965, two Philly legends in the making clashed in one of the most interesting matches of the mid-sixties. Stanley 'Kitten' Hayward was on a good roll, having beaten Percy Manning, Dick Turner, Curtis Cokes, Vince Shomo, & Tito Marshall in the preceding two years. The 1964 nationally televised, come from behind KO of Cokes at The Blue Horizon, was an instant classic and made him a title contender. Bennie Briscoe, four years into his pro career had held the PA Welterweight Championship, but recent decision losses to Percy Manning and Tito Marshall, had placed him a notch lower than the streaking Hayward in 1965.

It was a highly anticipated local match up, but as the bout neared, Hayward's poor training habits reached a new low. Just weeks before the December fight, Kitten disappeared to spend time with his young sexy girlfriend, who had just returned from a semester in Paris. Their lost weekend together lasted for about a week. After that, Hayward reappeared, ready to put in a solid week or two of preparation for the dangerous destroyer, Briscoe. Kitten's manager George Katz locked him up in a Philly hotel and trainer Quenzel McCall watched him like a hawk until December 6th.

From the opening bell on fight night, Hayward looked fantastic. He moved and boxed and piled up points, winning round after round, apparently inspired by his latest love. But Briscoe needed the win and his trainer Yank Durham, pushed him to pick up the pace. Bennie started to bear down in round six and his conditioning, trademark pressure, and heavy punching power got him back into the fight. Hayward's right eye started to close, and he began to tire. Briscoe kept pressing and throwing hard shots, although the ever-tough Kitten kept fighting back. Hayward landed many hard shots of his own, but the tables were turning in Briscoe's favor. Before long, Hayward's shutout was gone and the scorecards were getting close. Two questions were buzzing through the Philadelphia Arena - "Could Kitten handle this onslaught?" and "Did Briscoe have enough time to catch him?"

When the bell sounded to start round 10, Hayward still seemed to be sitting on a slight lead. Briscoe knew it and moved in for the kill. Hayward, never one to play it safe, traded with his fresher opponent. Bennie cut off the ring and maneuvered the action to a neutral corner where he blasted away. Kitten toughed it out and fired back a bit, but Briscoe administered a frightful beating until the end of the round. The 5,485 Arena fans loved it and waited for the official verdict.

In the end, the decision was split and for Hayward, but then the real drama began. "Let me live, God, let me live", Hayward ranted in the dressing room, as the doctor attended to his badly swollen eye after the fight. Kitten had become hysterical and started to hallucinate. He jumped around and screamed for several minutes. Dr. Wilbur Strickland of the PA Commission believed that either dehydration or a concussion suffered during the fight caused the erratic behavior. He sent Hayward to Philadelphia's Presbyterian Hospital for observation. By the next day, Kitten was feeling fine and was discharged.

Briscoe, still bristling over the split decision he thought should have gone his way said, "He gets the decision and has to go to the hospital. I lose it and just catch a cab and go home."

The two would fight again ten years later with Briscoe winning the unanimous decision.

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Joey Giardello W15 Dick Tiger

World Middleweight Title Fight

Convention Hall - Atlantic City, NJ

GIARDELLO BECOMES CHAMP

It was a long time coming but Joey Giardello finally became a world champion on this day in 1963. After 15 years in the pro ranks and 123 bouts on his record - including a controversial draw in a prior title contest vs. Gene Fullmer in 1960 & two earlier matches with Dick Tiger - Giardello won the world middleweight crown with a 15-round decision before 12,000 fans at Atlantic City's Convention Hall.

The win was a testament to Giardello's persistence. Because he stayed in the game long enough and continued to regularly post wins, the powers that be could no longer avoid giving him his chance. And Joey made good. He would go on to successfully defend his title once before losing it back to Dick Tiger in 1965. He would end his career in 1967 with a final record of 101-25-7 (33 KOs).

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FRAZIER DEFEATS BONAVENA IN SPECTRUM TITLE BOUT
Still three years away from the Fight of the Century (against Muhammad Ali in 1971), Joe Frazier defended his New York State Athletic Commission Heavyweight Championship before his hometown fans on this day in 1968. His opponent was the tough Oscar Bona-vena, an old nemesis who gave Frazier his hardest test to date two years earlier. This time it was a bit easier for Frazier, although the fight went the 15-round limit. Frazier built a large lead over the first 10 rounds but Bonavena staged a strong comeback late, winning 4 of the last 5 rounds. In the end, Frazier won the unanimous decision and ran his record to 22-0 (19 KO). Only about 8,000 fans showed up for the event at the 1-year-old Spectrum, which made the promotion a bit of a bust.

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GYPSY JOE REPEATS
VICTORY OVER BARETTO

Just four months after squeaking out an unpopular 10-round unanimous decision over Miguel Baretto, Gypsy Joe Harris faced him again at the Philadelphia Arena before 5,029 spectators. This time Gypsy Joe's toughest foe was the scale. At the noon weigh-in on the day of the fight, Harris, the Number 1 Welterweight Contender, was three and one half pounds overweight. Gypsy sweated off the extra poundage and went on to win the 10-round rematch. Although the decision was split, Harris generally had an easier time with his tough opponent. After the fight, Gypsy, no stranger to coming in overweight or bucking the system, was slapped with a 60-day suspension for endangering the fight card and exhibiting an unprofessional attitude.

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GIARDELLO DEFEATS
THE HURRICANE
On this day in 1964, Joey Giardello defended his world middleweight title against Patterson, NJ phenom Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter. The fight is legendary for its competitiveness and closeness, although the official score-cards were unanimous for Giardello by a comfortable margin (in rounds: 9-3-3; 9-4-2; & 8-5-2). Carter was dangerous and tough, particularly in the first half of the fight, but it was Giardello who set the pace and controlled the action with his ring savvy and movement. After the 15 rounds, Joey's face was badly marked and looked the worse for wear, while Carter, a huge chiseled rock of a middleweight, looked untouched. Despite the official cards, the consensus was that Giardello won the fight, but by a much closer score.

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ARNOLD CLOSES OUT FIRST YEAR WITH ANOTHER KO

On this day in 1943, budding teenage ring phenomenon, Billy Arnold finished up his first year on the job with his 9th consecutive knockout. His victim this time was fellow Philadelphian Bob Winters. Arnold's KO came in the 1st round of a scheduled welterweight 4 rounder at the Olympia A.C. At this point in his career, Arnold never needed to go beyond the second round. His KO streak would continue into 1944 through another seven bouts, spanning 16 total. He fought 22 times in 1944, bringing his record to 30-0-1 with 28 KOs. Arnold did all of this while still in high school! The youngster started 1945 with a questionable points loss to Fritzie Zivic at the Garden. His next bout was the biggest of his career. After a strong start, Arnold fell to Rocky Graziano in the 3rd.

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Marvin "Candy" McFarland was a highly-rated amateur and a promising prospect of the 1950's. So promising in fact, he was signed to a management contract by "The Emperor", George Gainsford, who also steered the great Sugar Ray Robinson. Sugar Ray helped McFarland develop his skills and often worked his corner during fights.

Although McFarland was knocked out in his very first pro start (in 3 rounds by Joe Reynolds), he put together a very solid streak at the beginning of his career and started to climb the lightweight ranks. Early bouts included wins over J.D. Ellis, Ernie Bibbs, Ray Lancaster, and a close decision loss to Eddie Perkins.

On this day in 1957, Candy won an 8-round decision over Norman Young, in the main event at The Cambria AC. The win pushed his record to 7-1. In an early preliminary bout that night, Philadelphia's Len Matthews won his fourth pro bout.

Two years later, in 1959, Matthews and McFarland met in New York, and Mathews' convincing 10-round victory marked the beginning of the end for Candy McFarland. Although a couple of nice wins were ahead for him, McFarland retired about a year after the fight, only to return for a few more bouts after a five-year lay off. Overall, he posted a fine career record of 21-7-1 (5 KO).

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BUCCERONI SURPRISES
LASTARZA AT GARDEN

On this day in 1951, South Philly's Dan Bucceroni went up to New York City for a fight with heavyweight contender Roland LaStarza at Madison Square Garden. The result was a surprise win for Bucceroni, the Butcher Boy, by 10-round decision. The victory was described as probably the biggest upset of the year at the Garden. LaStarza was a streaking contender at the time. He brought a 47-1 record into the bout, with his only loss coming at the hands of rising star Rocky Marciano by narrow decision. Bucceroni was a good pros-pect, but at 35-2 with one of those losses by TKO, Dan was considered a full notch below the New Yorker. Despite the 4-1 odds in LaStarza's favor, Dan took the fight by unanimous decision. The win was probably the best of Dan's career.

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TURNER KOS MICELLI IN SIX

On this day in 1952, North Philly's Gil Turner continued to rebuild from the loss he suffered at the hands of Kid Gavilan in his July shot at the Welterweight Championship. In that bout, the previously undefeated sensation waged war with the legendary champion, but came up a little short. The fight was dead-even until Gavilan poured it on in the 11th round, and scored the TKO. Turner followed the title shot with a surprising decision loss to Bobby Dykes, before returning to his winning ways against Johnny Cunningham (KO5) and then Joe Micelli, on this day. Gil Turner was one of the most exciting and popular fighters of the 1950's. He was often featured on national television in bouts all over the country, and posted an overall career record of 56-19-2 (35 KO).

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South Philly's Philadelphia Jack O'Brien was born James Francis Hagen on January 17, 1878. He became one of the best boxers in the early part of the 20th century, with campaigns in the middleweight, light-heavyweight, and heavyweight divisions. In 1905 he won recognition as Light-Heavyweight Champion with his 13th round TKO of Bob Fitzsimmons.

About two years before winning the title, O'Brien fought Jim Jeffords at the Broadway Athletic Club, at 15th & Washington in South Philadelphia on Christmas Eve. It was a 6-round no decision bout, but the newspapers called O'Brien the winner.

Philadelphia Jack went on to an overall career record of 138-14-19 (51 KO) in a 16-year run between 1896 and 1912.

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SUGAR HART WINS

On this day in 1958, Garnet "Sugar" Hart beat tough and experienced Ralph Dupas (74-9-6) by 10-round split decision at the Miami Beach Auditorium to push his pro record to 26-3-2 (21 KO). He scored the win despite a bad cut over his right eye, impressing the judges with his sharp-punching style. The fight was a typical Sugar Hart thriller with much action & flash. With the victory, Hart held onto his #2 welter-weight ranking and closed out a very good year of boxing for him. It was his first fight since a 10-round draw against Gil Turner at Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia six months before that most observers felt Hart won, despite the official score. He would move onto to 1959 and win two bouts (including one against Issac Logart) before waging the most memorable war of his career in October vs. Charley Scott.

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BASS VS. COOL

Benny Bass, the Little Fish, won a 10-round decision over the Tacony Flash, Eddie Cool, on this day in 1933 to win the PA lightweight title. The bout took place at Convention Hall before 8,500. Bass was the aggressor throughout. Although Cool seemed content to stay back & wait through most of the bout, he did have his moments. Stinging right hands occasionally jolted Bass & even had him bleeding from the left ear during the 4th. But the Little Fish was undeter-red. He pressed forward in fast motion & appeared to gain strength as the fight wore on. By the 10th, he was in total control, just like in his old championship days. This split win surprised most observers who thought the 2-1 favorite, Bass, would win by KO. But Eddie Cool was a smart & slick opponent who could handle himself in the ring and wasn't going anywhere.

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BENTON DEFEATS JONES IN NY

George Benton closed out his fifth year as a pro with a decision win over Bobby Jones on this day in 1953. Benton, a 4-1 favorite, took his 25-2 record into Brooklyn's Eastern Parkway Arena against a very seasoned foe. Expec-tations were that the rising pro would easily handle Jones, the old pro with a 33-19-8 record. But as was the case many times in Benton's career, things didn't turn out to be as easy as predicted. Jones jumped out to take an early lead in the 10 rounder. Benton fought back well & in the end came away with the win. But the decision was split and was considered a close call. It was George's 26th win but he still had another 15 years of fighting before him. His career was an excellent one, but it was filled with frustration. The long-time top contender fought numerous fellow contenders, but was never given an opportunity to fight for a world title.

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GODFREY ENDS BOUT IN HURRY WITH BODY BLOW

On New Year's day 1931 in Mexico City, George Godfrey, the Leiperville Giant wasted no time in his scheduled 10-round bout against Tunisian heavy-weight Salvatore Ruggirello. After quickly sizing up his 25 year old opponent, Godfrey, 34, stepped right in and slammed a single body blow that was hard enough to drop Ruggirello for the full ten count and end the bout early in Round 1. The fight was over in less than a minute. Godfrey's record is filled with big wins and bigger KOs - 79 of his 96 victories ended early. He had a wonderful and important career, but because he was black, George was never given an opportunity to fight for the real heavyweight title. Later in 1931, Godfrey would regain the world 'colored' heavyweight championship in a bout against Seal Harris.

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BASSETT SCORES 1ST
ROUND KO IN PARIS

On this day in 1954, West Philly featherweight Percy Bassett scored the quickest victory of his 5-fight, 1953-1954 European ring campaign with a first round KO of Frenchman Jacques Herbillon at Paris. At the time, Bassett was still in pursuit of an elusive shot at the world title held by Sandy Saddler. Unfortunately that shot would never come. The year before during his first trip to Paris, Percy won the 'interim' featherweight championship against Ray Famechon with an impressive 4th round KO while Saddler served in the Army. But despite being the number one contender and the logical choice as a challenger, Bassett was refused the world title opportunity. Bassett compiled a career record of 64-12-1 (41 KO) before a detached retina prompted his early retirement at age 25.

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Philadelphia's great tradition of lightweight boxers almost rivals its middleweight output. South Philly's Mike Evans was part of a fine crop of 135-pounders that bloomed in the 1930s and 1940s. He was a tall, rangy boxer who faced many top-notch fighters. He more than held his own, compiling a 37-7-1 (6 KO) career record. Evans beat Eddie Cool, Tommy Spiegel (twice), Tommy Cross (twice), Honey Mellody, and won two of his three bouts with Luther "Slugger" White.
However, Evans is probably best know for his two battles with uptown rival Bob Montgomery. In their first bout, Montgomery took a very close 10-round decision in a contest for the PA Lightweight Championship. A month later, Montgomery stopped Evans with three knockdowns in the first round. The only other man to halt Evans was Sugar Ray Robinson.

On this day in 1941, Mike Evans won a decision over Charley Sulic at the legendary Cambria Athletic Club on Kensington Ave & Somerset St in the Kensington section of Philadelphia.

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ZIVIC SNAPS BILLY ARNOLD'S UNBEATEN STREAK AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

In 1945, eighteen year old high school senior, Billy Arnold was zooming up the welterweight ranks and boasting a ring record of 30-0-1 (28 KOs) when he faced former Welterweight Champion Fritzie Zivic at Madison Square Garden in New York. To say that Zivic was a seasoned vet would be an understatement. This bout with Arnold was his 185th! Yet Billy Arnold was the 3-1 favorite going in - that's how highly regarded the young sensation was. He was even expected by many to score a KO.

16,923 fans crowded the Garden and watched the youngster take the fight directly to Zivic. Newspaper reports said that Arnold was dominant in many of the eight rounds, using his hard pressing, hard punching style, and bountiful energy to punish the old pro. Arnold looked sharp enough for many to believe he won the bout, but Zivic fought smart and seemed to confuse Arnold at times. In the end, the decision was a majority nod for Fritzie Zivic, leaving the unbeaten streak of the streaking young prospect from South Philly snapped.

The controversial upset victory was the last big win for Zivic, who went 16-21-3 in the final chapter of his illustrious career. Arnold moved on from this bout with his rating and reputation still intact. However, he would run into Rocky Graziano his next time out, in a fight that would cost him his ranking and much of his boxing future. Arnold's overall career record ended at 42-9-1 (35 KO).

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JANUARY 6, 1962

DICK TURNER WINS UPSET AT THE GARDEN VS. RICHARDSON

Dick Turner, the well-schooled welterweight from Southwest Philly, took a 6-round decision from Harold Richardson at New York's Madison Square Garden on this day in 1962. The win upped his record to 10-0-1 (7 KO) and once again proved him to be a spoiler.

Turner started pulling upsets early on in his career. In just his third bout, he knocked out Al Styles in an Atlantic City eye-opener that turned him from 3-fight pro to hot prospect. His first trip to the Garden in 1960 produced a surprising KO of Walter Daniels. Next, his 1961 fight with Sugar Smith was called a draw but most credited Turner with another shocker.

After the Richardson win, more surprises were on the way. Turner would eventually post upsets over Federico Thompson and Percy Manning, followed by a hard-fought 10-round decision over seasoned vet Isaac Logart.

Sadly Turner's career would end early after losing a split decision to Kitten Hayward and suffering a detached retina in 1964.


OTHER RESULTS ON THIS DATE:
1926 - George Godfrey WDQ7 Sully Montgomery - Los Angeles

1939 - Leroy Haynes KO4 Don Petrin - Atlantic City
1951 - Joey Giardello W8 Freddie Lott - Brooklyn
1955 - Jimmy Soo KO7 Jimmy DeMaura - Philadelphia - The Plaza

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Philly Boxing History
JANUARY 7, 1944

'BLACKJACK' BILLY FOX SCORES 12TH CONSECUTIVE KO

Billy Fox ran his knockout streak to twelve with a first round stoppage of Frankie Mack at The Cambria in Philadelphia on this day in 1944.

Fox's consecutive KO streak would ultimately reach 43 - a boxing record at the time. The run would be broken in Billy's first try at the Light Heavyweight Championship - a 10th round TKO loss to Gus Lesnevich in 1947. In a return title bout a year later - earned with a dubious KO of Jake LaMotta - Fox would fare much worse, going down against Lesnevich in the 1st round from a sneaky wrecking ball of a right hand.

But Fox's penchant for knockouts is legendary. His cumulative pro record wrapped up at 55-9-1 with a whopping 54 KOs! His streak of 43 consecutive stoppages still stands as the Philly record, with second place held by Earl Hargrove who managed just 24 straight. (see KO Streaks)

Although it is true that Fox may have had some help along the way (especially in the LaMotta fight), he was a real prospect with great power.

OTHER RESULTS ON THIS DATE:
1929 - Al Walker WDQ3 George Godfrey at The Philadelphia Arena

1929 - Harry Blitman WDQ6 Johnny Sheppard at Atlantic City, NJ
1944 - Bob Montgomery W10 Joey Peralta at Detroit, MI
1966 - Johnny Persol W10 Harold Johnson at Madison Square Garden
DEATHS:
1987 - Frankie Caris

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Philly Boxing History

JANUARY 8, 1954

GIARDELLO KO's GARTH PANTER IN NEW YORK

Joey Giardello KO'd Garth Panter in the 5th round to win his 53rd pro bout (53-10-5) on this day in 1954. The site was Madison Square Garden in New York City.

At that point in his career, Giardello, the poster boy for patience, had 68 fights and was still six years away from his first title shot (D15 Gene Fullmer in 1960) and nine years away from his championship winning effort (W15 Dick Tiger). They say good things come to those who wait.

At the end of his illustrious career, Joey's overall record was 101-25-7-1 NC (33KO). He fought everyone under the sun - who was willing to face him, including not only Fulmer and Tiger, but Sugar Ray Robinson, George Benton, Joey Giambra, Billy Graham, Gil Turner, Johnny Saxton, Tiger Jones, Jimmy Beecham, Henry Hank, Holly Mims, Ralph Dupas, Terry Downes, Hurricane Carter, and about 120 others.



OTHER RESULTS ON THIS DATE:
1938 - Al Brown W10 Tommy Forte at The Cambria in Philadelphia

1943 - Bob Montgomery TKO7 Chester Rico at Madison Square Garden
1957 - Gil Turner KO2 Jimmy Morris at Miami Beach, FL
1958 - Garnet Hart W10 Larry Baker at Chicago, IL
1980 - Rocky Lockridge TKO5 Sammy Goss at Totowa, NJ

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JANUARY 9, 1981

HARGROVE DROPS HART IN FIRST FOR 10th STRAIGHT KO

On this day in 1981, Earl Hargrove scored his 10th consecutive KO in a bout against Robert Hart in Atlantic City. The fight ended in round one and was a typical outing for the hard-punching slugger from South Philadelphia.

Hargrove's KO streak eventually ran to 24, with the end coming in his fight for the Vacant IBF Jr. Middleweight Championship. In that bout, he was KO'd by Mark Medal in the fifth round.

Hargrove fought from 1979 to 1986, piling up 26 knockouts in his 27-2 career record. His 24 straight KOs is second on the all-time Philly list behind Black Jack Billy Fox.


OTHER RESULTS ON THIS DATE:
1925 - Johnny Jaddick W8 Harry Gimble at The Cambria in Philadelphia

1928 - Harold Mays W10 Matt Adgie at The Philadelphia Arena
1931 - Eddie Cool W6 Teddy Edwards at Philadelphia, PA
1940 - Spider Armstrong KO7 Johnny Marcelline at The Philadelphia Arena
1941 - Danny Falco W8 Al Davis at the Olympia in Philadelphia, PA
1941 - Johnny Forte W8 Nick Spano the Olympia in Philadelphia, PA
1941 - Tommy Cross KO5 Buck Stretor at the Olympia in Philadelphia, PA
1941 - Wicky Harkins W8 Pedro Tomez at the Olympia in Philadelphia, PA
1947 - Johnny Forte W8 Willie Weasel at Philadelphia, PA
1951 - Dan Bucceroni KO1 Jimmy Bell at Akron, OH
1954 - Frankie Sodano W8 Jimmy DeMura at Miami, FL

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JANUARY 10, 1952

BENTON UPSETS MIMS

In his 17th fight as a pro, George Benton of North Philly won a unanimous 8-round decision over Holly Mims, on this day in 1952.

Mims, a veteran of 35 bouts - including battles with Johnny Bratton (W10, W10), Otis Graham (W10), & Sugar Ray Robinson (L10), entered the ring as the favorite. Benton had a prior win over Jetson Arnold but was virtually unknown. However, in the end, it was the underdog who won the bout before 2,152 fans at The Met.

The two would fight a rematch in 1959, with Mims winning the 10-round decision. Note: the photo at left is from their second bout.


OTHER RESULTS ON THIS DATE:
1938 - Al Ettore W10 Gus Dorazio at The Philadelphia Arena

1947 - Harold Johnson KO2 Frank Lowry at Philadelphia, PA
1986 - Matthew Saad Muhammad KO6 Chris Wells at Hallendale, FL

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JANUARY 11, 1986

PARKER DROPS DECISION TO OLAJIDE AT SHORE

Curtis Parker lost a split decision to Michael Olajide on this day in 1986. The site was the Sand's Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, NJ.

Parker, on a 3-bout winning streak (Billy Robertson W10, Frank Fletcher KO2, Ricky Stackhouse W10), entered the ring at 28-6. The younger Olajide had a 15-0 record and in Parker, was facing his toughest opponent to date.

Olajide used his speed and silky style to take the fight, although the decision was split. He was about one year away from challenging for the title.

Parker only fought three more times, losing two. He retired in 1988 with an overall record of 29-9 (21 KO).


OTHER RESULTS ON THIS DATE:
1940 - Gus Dorazio W10 Joe Barr at the Olympia A.C. in Philadelphia
1990 - Tim Witherspoon TKO5 Jeff Simms at The Trump Plaza in Atlantic City, NJ

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The Mims - Benton photo is a classic of two superb infighters. Mims neutralizes Benton's left hand to the body with his right elbow and completely shields his upper left side.
Chuck Hasson
phillyboxinghistory.com

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JANUARY 15, 1940

SPEIGEL TOPS MAHER IN 12 Takes Pennsylvania Lightweight Crown

On this day in 1940, Tommy Speigel regained the Pennsylvania Lightweight Championship from Billy Maher, before 7,000 fans at the Philadelphia Arena.

Speigel toughed his way to the title. He took everything that the cleaner-punching Maher had to offer (like the left shown in the photo), only to bully his way inside. Speigel clutched and grabbed, and popped Maher with countless short right-hand punches over the top. He was relentless.


But after starting quickly in the first two rounds, Speigel began scratching his head for a stretch, as Maher started coming on and taking the better of it for several sessions. The pro-Maher crowd loved it, as their man took the lead and seemed to have things in hand. But Speigel, who lost this same title to Maher just about one month before, brought the battle into the trenches. They traded and struggled evenly in the middle portion of the fight, but Speigel's hard-boiled tactics began to pay off. Maher began to tire, and Speigel, slightly behind on the scorecards, rallied in the final four rounds. It was this final surge that sealed the close but unanimous victory for Speigel (7 rounds to 5). The newspaper accounts of the day called the fight a "savage, rough and tumble" battle.
Leading up to, and including this fight, the PA Lightweight Title had been like a hot potato, changing hands 4 times in just 3 months. On October 23, 1939, Bob Montgomery won the vacant crown in a fight with Mike Evans. A month later, Speigel took a controversial decision over Montgomery to wrest the title. About one month after that, Maher claimed the prize by beating Speigel. 25 days later, Speigel regained the title over Maher, in the fight we celebrate today.


FIGHT RESULTS ON THIS DATE:
1932 - Leroy Haynes KO5 Jack Silva at San Francisco, CA

1958 - Vince Martinez W12 Gil Turner at the Philadelphia Arena
1958 - Len Matthews KO3 Milton Ferguson at the Philadelphia Arena (Matthews' 5th fight)
1959 - Paul Armstead W10 Len Matthews at Hollywood, CA (Matthews' 1st loss)
1972 - Joe Frazier TKO4 Terry Daniels at New Orleans, LA for the World Heavyweight Title
1973 - Sammy Goss KO2 Raul Cruz at the Philadelphia Spectrum
BIRTHDAYS:
1954 - Roger Stafford
1965 - Bernard Hopkins
DEATHS:
2001 - Tommy Forte

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JANUARY 16, 1928

BLITMAN BEATS NEBO IN PHILLY

North Philly featherweight Harry Blitman kicked off the most eventful year of his entire career on this day in 1928. The lefty decisioned Pete Nebo over 10 rounds at the Arena to run his record to 29-0. Later on in the year, Blitman would experience his biggest-ever win as well as his very first loss. It was a tumultuous 12 months.

That June, Blitman faced champion Tony Canzoneri, in an outdoor non-title bout at Philadelphia's Baker Bowl. Canzoneri was the clear favorite but Blitman pulled a shocker, winning a 10-round decision in the highlight of his 8 years in the ring.

Later the same year, Blitman fought fellow Philadelphian Benny Bass at Shibe Park in another high-profile outdoor bout. Bass, who lost an earlier title war to Canzoneri, was looking for a second shot, while Blitman needed the win to secure his own rematch with Canzoneri. In one of the all-time great Philly slugfests, Bass KO'd Blitman in 6 to knock him out of title contention.


OTHER FIGHT RESULTS ON THIS DATE:
1938 - Johnny Paycheck TKO6 Al Ettore at Des Moines, IA

1942 - Gus Dorazio W10 Jimmy Gardner at the Camden (NJ) Convention Hall
1953 - Harold Johnson W10 Jimmy Slade at St. Nicholas Arena in New York

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JANUARY 17, 1984

BLACK GOLD WINS

James 'Black Gold' Shuler defended his NABF Middleweight Title with a 12-round decision against Nashville's Clint Jackson on this day in 1984.

Against Shuler, Jackson looked to finally break his local jinx, as his three losses to date had all come at the fists of Philly-area fighters - Camden's Tony Braxton (TKO by 9), Southwest Philly's Animal Fletcher (L12), & South Philly's Buster Drayton (KO by 2).

Jackson fought tough and went the distance, but in the end, it was Shuler, the undefeated-would-be Olympian who came out on top, staying undefeated (19-0) and keeping Jackson's curse intact. With the win Shuler, moved a step closer to a title shot against Marvin Hagler that of course, would never come.

In 1986, Shuler lost his big test to Thomas Hearns in a nightmare of a fight (KO by 1), and just one week later, was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident.


OTHER FIGHT RESULTS ON THIS DATE:
1936 - Leroy Haynes KO2 Sal Ruggirello at Philadelphia, PA

1958 - Harold Johnson W10 Bert Whitehurst at Syracuse, NY
1966 - Joe Frazier KO1 Mel Turnbow at the Philadelphia Athletic Club
1973 - Tyrone Everett W6 Luciano Santos at The Catholic Youth Center in Scranton, PA
1977 - Bennie Briscoe W10 Karl Vinson at The Philadelphia Spectrum
1978 - Augie Pantellas KO5 Isaac Vega at The Philadelphia Spectrum
1986 - Tim Witherspoon W15 Tony Tubbs at Atlanta, GA (Won WBA Heavyweight Title)

BIRTHDAYS:
1878 - Philadelphia Jack O'Brien

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JANUARY 18, 1972

BRISCOE TKOs QUINNEY AT ARENA; LOOKS TOWARD REMATCH WITH MONZON

Number 1 middleweight contender Bennie Briscoe opened 1972 with a TKO victory over Buffalo's Al Quinney on this date, before 3,323 Philadelphia Arena fans.

The fireworks started almost immediately as Briscoe blasted his spidery 6' 1" foe with his usual right and left-hand bombs, scoring a knockdown toward the end of the first round. But that was just the warm-up. In round two, Briscoe whacked away at Quinney, putting him down three times in 1:45 for the automatic stoppage. It was Briscoe's 10th KO in a row.

The win lifted Bennie's record to 41-9-1-1 NC (34 KO) and pointed him back toward old rival Carlos Monzon, by then the middleweight king. Briscoe's prior draw with a pre-champion Monzon was disputed by many who felt Bennie should have gotten the decision. Thus a rematch was a natural and was hotly anticipated by boxing fans. However, steering Monzon back into the ring with the ever-tough Briscoe would prove to be a challenge. None the less, it would happen by the end of the year.

ALSO ON THIS DAY:
ARREDONDO DOES IT AGAIN
On this day in 1971, Mexico's Ricardo Arredondo returned to the Spectrum to beat another local featherweight in rather impressive fashion. This time Ricardo scored a 10th round TKO over Augie Pantellas in the final round of their main event bout. It was a rough & tumble fight with both men landing their shots. Arredondo seemed to be building a nice lead before Augie managed to drop him in the 8th. But Ricardo got up & continued his mission to beat our 2nd-best 126 pounder. Two months prior, Arredondo had demolished the #1 local feather, Sammy Goss, in five rounds in the same Spectrum ring. Against Pantellas, Arredondo didn't settle for coasting to a decision win. He came out for round ten with "KO" on his mind. It turned out to be a good idea. The judges had Augie in the lead.

OTHER FIGHT RESULTS ON THIS DATE:

1971 - Willie 'The Worm' Monroe W10 Alvin Phillips at The Philadelphia Spectrum
1972 - Miguel Barreto W10 Mario Saurennann at The Philadelphia Arena
1972 - Richie Kates TKO3 Elliott Miller at The Philadelphia Arena
1972 - Roy Williams W10 Roger Russell at The Philadelphia Arena (PA Heavyweight Title)
1992 - Meldrick Taylor W12 Glenwood Brown at Pennsylvania Hall in Philadelphia

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Philly Boxing History

JANUARY 20, 1964

HAYWARD WINS BATTLE OF LOCAL WELTERS - EDGES TURNER AT ARENA

Stanley 'Kitten' Hayward pulled out a close 10-round spilt decision against Dick Turner at the Philadelphia Arena on this day in 1964.

The bout, fittingly billed as "Philadelphia's Fistic Natural" by promoter Herman Taylor, had the makings of exactly that. It pitted two rising stars of the welterweight division with strikingly similar credentials. Hayward entered the ring with a record of 17-2-1 (8 KO), and was coming off his KO of Percy Manning. Turner, 19-1-1 (11 KO), was fighting for the first time since his only loss - a 10-round decision to Jose Stable at the Garden. Turner had a KO of his own over Percy Manning, while Hayward's record showed a 10-round blemish against Stable. Both fighters had scored decision wins over Gaylord Barnes, Hayward in six and Turner in eight. So only their bouts with Willie Davis produced different results. While Hayward was held to draw, Turner managed a sixth round TKO. Clearly this fight was a toss up going in.

The fight itself was a squeaker and the result was disputed by some. But Kitten came away with the biggest win of his career, up to that point. He would continue to have a great run, beating Curtis Cokes, Vince Shomo, Tito Marshall & Bennie Briscoe over the next two years, bringing him to the brink of a title shot.

After this fight, doctors discovered that Dick Turner had suffered a detached retina during the battle. To Turner's credit, he decided to step away from the game, showing grace and common sense - two qualities often lacking in boxing. But what a rematch it would have been!


OTHER FIGHT RESULTS ON THIS DATE:
1944 - Eddie Giosa W8 Rudy Garcia at The Olympia in Philadelphia

1947 - Bob Montgomery KO5 Eddie Giosa in Philadelphia, PA
1956 - Gil Turner W10 Jackie LaBua in Syracuse, NY
1964 - Bennie Briscoe W6 Johnny Clyde at The Philadelphia Arena (Hayward-Turner undercard)