Ceferino Garcia vs. Billy Soose
Ceferino Garcia 162 lbs drew with Billy Soose 170 lbs by TD at 1:45 in round 8 of 12
- Date: 1941-09-15
- Location: Gilmore Field, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Referee: Abe Roth
"Middleweight champion Billy Soose prepared to head east today, his crown slightly on the tarnished side after one of the most vicious fights with the most unsatisfactory endings witnessed in Los Angeles in years. Billy's 12 round non-title fight with Ceferino Garcia was stopped mid-way in the 8th round and called a draw because Soose's left eye was badly cut. From then on it was intense. A near riot almost ensued. Referee Abe Roth was almost mobbed as he left the ring, and today the state athletic commission promised further action after dissenting with the referee's decision. Soose, under Roth's count, captured the first five rounds with a brilliant exhibition of boxing skill. Garcia launched a savage attack and swept the next two rounds and was meting out heavy punishment in the 8th at the finish. Soose, his face a bloody mess, was hanging on desperately when Roth pushed him into his corner and called the commisssion doctor. He said Soose should not continue." -Associated Press
- Referee Abe Roth said Garcia butted Soose in the 7th round, slitting the eye lid and then hammered it wide open in the 8th. Soose claimed the butt was in the 6th round. The ringside commissioners stated they saw no butt in any round.
- State Athletic Commissioner Jerry Giesler said the commission disagreed heartily with Abe Roth's ruling, but could do nothing about it.