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Boxing in the United States continued on a steady keel during 1956, despite widespread investigations, notably in New York, Pennsylvania and California; the retirement, as undefeated world heavyweight champion, of Rocky Marciano; and the fact that for the first time in a number of years no big summer outdoor shows were held in New York city, once the stronghold of boxing.
World Championship Matches.
With the voluntary relinquishing of the heavyweight crown by Rocky Marciano on April 27, 1956, an elimination series was held to determine his successor. Floyd Patterson and Archie Moore, world light heavy-weight champion, were the finalists, a bout between them, how-ever, being held off because of an injured hand suffered by Patterson in his winning fight against Tommy (Hurricane) Jackson. The match was finally held at Chicago, Ill., on Nov. 30, and Floyd Patterson knocked out Archie Moore in the fifth round to become the new heavyweight champion of the world.
Archie Moore successfully defended his 175-lb. title by stop-ping Yolande Pompey of the British West Indies in the tenth round at the Harringay arena, London, Eng., on June 5. Moore later (July 25) knocked out James J. Parker, Canadian heavy-weight champion, in a bout in Toronto, Ont., which was advertised as for the world heavyweight championship but which was merely another elimination contest.
Ray Robinson defended his world middleweight title once knocking out Carl (Bobo) Olson in the fourth round on May 18 at Wrigley field, Los Angeles, Calif. A crowd of more than 20,000 paid $228,500 to view the fight.
Johnny Saxton regained the world welterweight title he had lost the year previously by outpointing Carmen Basilio over 15 rounds at Chicago stadium, Chicago, Ill., on March 14. The fight grossed $104.288. In a return bout, on Sept. 12, at War Memorial stadium, Syracuse, N.Y.. Basilio rewon the welterweight title by knocking out Saxton in the ninth round.
Joe Brown won the world lightweight championship by gaining a split i5-round decision over Wallace (Bud) Smith, the title-holder, at New Orleans. La.. on Aug. 24.
Sandy Saddler retained his world featherweight title by a technical knockout of Gabriel (Flash) Elorde of the Philippines in the 13th round on Jan. 18 at the Cow Palace, San Francisco, Calif. Saddler was later injured in an automobile accident which kept him inactive for a short while.
Mario d'Agata of Italy, a deaf-mute, won the world bantam-weight championship by stopping Robert Cohen at the end of the sixth round on June 29 at the Foro Italico, Rome. It. D'Agata was the first deaf-mute ever to win a world boxing championship.
Pascual Perez of Argentina, the world flyweight champion, de-fended his title three times, winning a 15-round decision from Leo Espinosa of the Philippines at Buenos Aires, Arg. (Jan. ir), winning over Oscar Suarez of Cuba by a technical knockout in 11 rounds at Montevideo. Urug. (June 30), and stopping Ricardo Valdez in five rounds at Tandil, Arg. (Aug. 3).
Boxing Hall of Fame.
Seven new members were elected to the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1956. The Hall of Fame was inaugurated in 1954 by the Ring magazine and is housed in the Ring museum in Madison Square Garden. The board of directors voted in one pioneer of the game, Peter Jackson. The Old Timers' committee elected two, George Dixon and Jem Driscoll. The modern group named four, Tony Canzoneri, Barney Ross,Tommy Loughran and Jimmy McLarnin.
The following is a complete list of those who had been elected to the Hall of Fame:
Pioneer Group.—James Figg, Tom Cribb, Jem Mace, Tom Sayers, Gentleman John Jackson, Arthur Chambers. John C. Heenan, William Richmond, Nonpareil Jack Dempsey, Jack Broughton, Daniel Mendoza, Tom Hyer, Young Griffo, John Morrissey, John L. Sullivan, Jack McAuliffe, William Thompson (Bendigo) and Peter Jackson.
Old Timers' Group.—Stanley Ketchel, Jack Johnson, James J. Corbett, Terry McGovern, Abe Attell, George Dixon, Joe Gans, Bob Fitzsimmons, James J. Jeffries, Sam Langford, Joe Walcott and Jem Driscoll.
Modern Group.—Jack Dempsey, Henry Armstrong, Harry Greb, Joe Louis, Mickey Walker, Gene Tunney, Benny Leonard, Tony Canzoneri, Timmy Mcarnin Barney Ross and Tommy Loughran.
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