Dragons in the USA: 10 Welsh fighters in America

10 of the most notable occasions when Welsh fighters have boxed in the US

BN Staff

Dragons in the USA: 10 Welsh fighters in America
Joe Calzaghe
  1. JOHNNY OWEN vs LUPE PINTOR (1980)
    Tragedy struck in Los Angeles when Owen was KO’d by WBC bantamweight titlist Pintor in the 12th round. He underwent an operation to remove a blood clot from his brain, yet tragically passed away weeks later.
  2. TOMMY FARR vs JOE LOUIS (1937)
    Farr was famously the first man to challenge Louis for the world heavyweight championship. “The Tonypandy Terror” lost unanimously on points in The Bronx but enhanced his reputation with a courageous effort.
  3. JOE CALZAGHE vs BERNARD HOPKINS (2008)
    After proving himself as a supreme super-middleweight fighting on European shores, Calzaghe ventured to Las Vegas to showcase his talents at light-heavy. A split verdict victory over Hopkins was a legacy-elevating win.
  4. JIMMY WILDE vs PANCHO VILLA (1923)
    In his final fight, Wilde lost the world flyweight crown to Villa via seventh-round KO in New York. Having been out of the ring for well over two years beforehand, this bout was a bridge too far for “The Mighty Atom”.
  5. FREDDIE WELSH vs BENNY LEONARD (1917)
    Welsh had his world lightweight title taken from him by Leonard on a ninth-round stoppage. This contest in New York marked the only time that the defensive marvel was ever beaten inside the distance.
  6. JIM DRISCOLL vs ABE ATTELL (1909)
    Up against Attell in New York, Driscoll pounded the world featherweight champ for 10 rounds, earning a ‘newspaper decision’. Unfortunately for “Peerless Jim”, the belt could not change hands in these circumstances.
  7. TOMMY WEST vs TOMMY RYAN (1901)
    A brutal and bloody battle ensued between old foes West and Ryan when they contested the latter’s world middleweight strap in Louisville, Kentucky. West was eventually forced out in the 17th session.
  8. FRANK MOODY vs HARRY GREB (1924)
    Waterbury, Connecticut was the venue for Moody’s non-title clash with world middleweight ruler Greb. Moody gave it his all but ultimately succumbed to a barrage of blows in the sixth round.
  9. EDDIE MORGAN vs JOHNNY KILBANE (1915)
    The first of two ‘no-decision bouts’ in quick succession between Morgan and world featherweight king Kilbane was fiercely fought, with US reporters awarding Kilbane the ‘newspaper decision’ after six rounds in Philadelphia.
  10. COLIN JONES vs MILTON McCRORY (1983)
    In a hotly anticipated rematch following their nip-and-tuck draw, Jones was edged out on the scorecards by McCrory in Las Vegas. A split vote saw McCrory claim vacant WBC welterweight honours.

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