Eddie Cotton vs. Johnny Persol (2nd meeting)

Eddie Cotton 172 lbs beat Johnny Persol 174 lbs by TKO at 2:37 in round 4 of 10

• Date: 1964-03-13
• Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA
• Referee: Zach Clayton

"Eddie Cotton feels he's "opened the door a little wider" to a light heavyweight title fight with his sensational 4th round TKO of previously undefeated Johnny Persol. The 37 year old Cotton avenged a split decision loss to Persol three weeks ago when he stopped his 23 year old opponent with a fiery barrage of blows to the body and head at 2:37 of the 4th. Persol, his back to the ropes and a dazed look in his eyes, was sagging to the floor when referee Zack Clayton sprang between the two and ended the fight. But until the sudden flurry, it appeared as if the fast moving Persol was on his way to another victory over the old man of the 175 pound division." -Associated Press

Post fight comment

• "He's real fast and I had to set him up. I knew I couldn't catch him with jabs and I had to soften him up with body punches." -Eddie Cotton