20.04.2022
Wednesday morning's "Learn from the Fight" started in 1954 where we sourced more scant highlight footage of Japan's first world boxing champion, Yoshio Shirai in his first fight with the man he would later defend his title against, the Argentinian Pascuel Perez. We then fast-forwarded to May the following year to see their third clash with the world title at state. Finally we moved back but still in 1955 to see highlights of the still reigning undisputed world featherweight champion, Sandy Saddler defend his title against Teddy Davis.
Today's lesson might be seen as a demonstration on successful and unsuccessful range negotiation from the shorter range fighter's perspective. Pasqual Perez nimbly manoeuvred in out of Shirai's longer range in their two fights in a manner popularised by Willie Pep and Sugar Ray Robinson. Teddy Davis attempted the same against the long-limbed Sandy Saddler but just could not handle his opponent's manhandling, herding style and powerful techniques. Saddler had an answer at all ranges.
Yoshio Shirai versus Pascual Perez 24.07.1954
After winning the world championship, Shirai fought seven times before facing Pascual Perez. He lost one non-title match to Leo Espinosa, who stopped him and then later avenged the loss. He defended his title four times.
Pascual Nicholas Perez was born on 4th May 1926 in Tupangato in the Mendoza Province of Argentina. He was the youngest of nine children, born into a family of winemakers. His first work was as a labourer for his family's business, but he became a natural boxing when he started training aged 16 at the Rodeo Deportivo de la Cruz under Felipe Segura. Never reaching higher than 4'11", he was often shorter than his opponents in the flyweight division. Perez found early success in the amateur ranks, winning the Mendocino Novice Championship, in March 1944 only two months after he began officially competing. He would win a total of 16 amateur championships and fight a total of 125 bouts. He also won a gold medal at the 1948 London Olympics. Upon his return to Mendoza he was hailed as hero and was rewarded with a house and a job by the provincial government. He turned professional four years later in 1952, coming under the management of Lazarus Koci who became famed for reorganising boxing in Argentina.
Perez won his first 23 matches, including the vacant Argentinian flyweight championship which he defended once. Perez was left-handed but chose to fight in an orthodox stance. Despite his size, Perez had always demonstrated remarkable power. He stopped 18 of his opponents before winning his professional fight on points and then going on to stop the remaining four. Like all his previous fights his non-title bout with the reigning world flyweight champion, Yoshio Shirai, was held in Argentina. It was hosted at Luna Park, Buenos Aires.
The highlights of this 10 round fight revealed some truly action-packed moments. Perez definitely appeared to be running matters, swarming in with rapid combinations before bouncing back out of Shirai's much longer reach. Shirai looked ponderous, only getting in a few moments during the in-fighting with clubbing hooks. The match went the distance and Perez had his first draw.
Yoshio Shirai versus Pascual Perez Undisputed World Flyweight Championship 30.05.1955
Yoshio Shirai won two more fights after the draw with Perez. Perez became totally focused on Shirai believing he could win the title in a rematch. With the fight in Argentina proving to be very popular, Shirai agreed to put his title on the line against Perez. This time the fight was held on the champion's home territory at the Korakuen Stadium in Tokyo. The bout was Perez's first professional match outside of Argentina and his first title fight. This time it was a totally one-side affair with the challenger with Perez knocking down Shirai once in second round and then again in the 12th round, almost knocking him out again in the same round before the bell rang. He then totally dominated Shirai for the remaining three rounds coming close to knocking the champion out several times. Perez made history by becoming the first Argentinian to win a world boxing title and the smallest man to win the world flyweight championship.
A third fight was arranged between the boxers with the title on the line again. Perez took one fight in the interim defeating an opponent Shirai had recently bested, Alberto Barenghi. This time it was Shirai who didn't want to fight anyone but Perez since their fight. Once again, the two fought the Korakuen Stadium in Tokyo.
The highlights, which were even shorter this time, showed an even more competent Perez than we had seen in their first fight. He continued to bounce and out dealing punishment to Shirai. He exited the close-fighting with ease and circled the bigger fighter expertly throughout the fight. Due to his size, he didn't need to crouch at all and just darted in and out of range. He knocked Shirai down several times before the ex-champion was counted out in round five.
Shirai announced his retirement after this fight. He transitioned into sports commentary and journalism. In 1977 Ring Magazine inducted him into their Hall of Fame. In 1995 he and another Japanese boxer, the 1976-1981 WBA world light-flyweight champion, Yoko Gushiken, opened up a sports gym together. This was the same year that the Japanese government gave him a special award for his services to boxing. He died of pneumonia 26th December 2003, aged 80.
Sandy Saddler versus Teddy Davis Undisputed World Featherweight Championship 25.02.1955
After his second successful defence of his title against Willie Pep, Sandy "The Stick" Saddler fought 15 non-title fights before he defended his crown. He lost only four of these. One these was a second loss to Paddy DeMarco, another split decision he avenged with a ninth round technical knockout. His other losses were against George Araujo, Armand Savoie and Hoacine Khalfi.
Teddy "Redtop" Davis was born on 23rd June 1923 in Laurens, South Carolina. His interest in boxing appears to have begun when he served in the military during World War 2 where he saw in action in Europe. During that time he earned three battle stars and also became the ETO (the USA's European Theatre of Operations) Lightweight Champion. He went down a weight class and turned professional as Featherweight in 1946. After this point he embarked upon a career that produced a bizarre boxing record. He would win and lose in long streaks, boxing at least once a month. On average, he was a journeyman but still pulled off some surprising upsets. Over a three month period in 1950 he beat Elis Ask, Julie Kogon, George Dunn and Paddy DeMarco. All of these were high-ranked fighters with impressive records. Finally in 1955 he was deemed worthy of a shot at the world featherweight title and Sandy Saddler. Davis stood at 5'6" and had a reach of 68". He weighed 126 lbs to Saddler's 124 1/2 lbs and was three years younger.
In round one Davis worked from the outside, constantly circling in one direction. Saddler was content to hold the centre position, using a high rear hand guard. Eventually he began to use a collar tie to pin down Davis with strikes off his rear hand to the body for which he was cautioned.
Round three saw Saddler advancing with regular shovel hooks to the body as Davis buzzed around him with jabs. It wasn't long before the champion was cautioned again by the referee this time for blatantly grabbing the challenger by the throat. He barely acknowledged the break and continued to advance with both hands whilst Davis did his best to fire in multiple jabs. Eventually Saddler maneuvered Davis into the corner and physically restrained him with posts whilst he pummelled away with both hands. The challenger just slipped out of the tight spot seconds before the bell rang.
In round eight Davis seemed to return with renewed vigour. However, he was immediately in trouble negotiating Saddler's extraordinary reach and not to mention his power. Despite clear bravery shown by Redtop, The Stick had landed the most impactful punches. This could be seen straight away as he herded Davis backed towards the corner delivering powerful hooks to the body. Davis moved out and the exchange continued in the middle of the ring. Saddler landed a hard right to the body but the challenger weathered the blow. Apparently the referee had complained several times that Saddler was not fighting fairly but did not penalise the champion. With Saddler preferring the in-fighting where he could manhandle, foul and land multiple heavy punches, Davis's best strategy appeared to be using his swift footwork from the outside. However, the problem here was presented by Saddler's obvious range advantage that he used to great effect. Such confidence showed signs of possibly being his undoing at one point when he began throwing haymakers that missed their target. Davis got his timing in and landed a hard left hook to the stomach, resulting in the champion having to clinch. As Saddler began to swarm he resorted to twisting his opponent off-balance and Davis attempted to wrestle back. The referee warned them both shortly before the bell rang.
Round 11 saw Saddler ahead on points. He came out dominating with jabs. Being a converted southpaw, this was really his power hand and they began to damage the already vulnerable Davis who back-peddled. Saddler continued to stalk his opponent around the ring, scoring punch after punch. He had switched to more straights but his lethal hooks to the body were still ever present.
By round 15 the writing was on the wall. Davis needed a knockout having never been able to match Saddler's power punches and trailing on the cards. However, his best scoring weapon - indeed pretty much his only weapon of any use - was his jabs that weren't ever going to stop the champion. Saddler continued to press forward and land one hard punch after another at long rang, mid range and then maul the challenger in the clinch. One would assume that he was behind by the way he now urgently seemed to try to secure a knockout. He pummelled Davis unmercifully and ragdolled him into the ropes, almost sending him to the canvas. Saddler emerged the victor by a clear unanimous decision. It would be almost another year before he would put the title on the line again.
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