Curtis Cokes vs. Stanley Hayward

Curtis Cokes 147 lbs lost to Stanley Hayward 151 lbs by TKO at 2:45 in round 4 of 10

• Date: 1964-05-01
• Location: Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
• Referee: Zach Clayton
• Judge: Dave Beloff
• Judge: Bill Hall

"Stanley (Kitten) Hayward came off the floor in the 2nd round to stop Curtis Cokes at 2:45 of the 4th round Friday night in their nationally-televised scheduled 10 rounder. Hayward was the aggressor from the start. Hayward appeared in command during the 2nd round as well when Cokes suddenly sneaked across a right hand that floored Hayward for the first time in his career for the count of nine. Cokes jabbed deftly at the start of the 4th round when Hayward finally cornered Cokes against the ropes and crossed his line of retreat. Then he connected with a right to the jaw. Cokes was shaky when he rose and tried to cover up. But Hayward unleashed a volley of lefts and rights to the head and Cokes began to sag. A solid right to the jaw sent Cokes to the canvas again. Cokes made a gallant effort to rise, but referee Zach Clayton intervened and declared it a TKO victory for Hayward." -United Press International

• It was reported that matchmaker Teddy Brenner had promised Hayward a bout with Jose Stable next, and if successful, a match with world champion Emile Griffith.

Post fight comment

• "I've never been knocked down before even in a gym. And it really made me angry." -Kitten Hayward, on the 2nd round knockdown.