Bobo Olson vs. Rocky Castellani

Bobo Olson 160 lbs beat Rocky Castellani 160 lbs by UD in round 15 of 15

• Date: 1954-08-20
• Location: Cow Palace, Daly City, California, USA
• Referee: Ray Flores 89-76
• Judge: Fred Apostoli 85-80
• Judge: Jack Downey 87.5-77.5

"Middleweight champion Carl (Bobo) Olson remained the kingpin of the middleweight division today after having turned back the threat of the nation's top challenger, Rocky Castellani of Cleveland. Bobo of San Francisco captured a unanimous decision over Rocky last night in a 15-round nationally televised battle. Highlights of the fight were packed in the 11th and 12th rounds. As they came out for the 11th Rocky let fly with a right and before anyone realized it, the champion was sitting on the canvas. Bobo scrambled to his feet, which required a three-count, and proceeded to give Rocky all he could handle for the rest of the round. In the 12th, Bobo applied a crusher. A long overhand right found Rocky's jaw and sent him to the canvas for a nine-count. But to Rocky's credit, he fought out the round like a wounded tiger. But his hopes faded from that point on." -Associated Press

• Bobo made 160 lbs. on his second attempt.
• While throwing a left hook in the 2nd round Castellani injured the hand as he caught Olson's elbow.
• Attendance - 12,000 (est.)
• Gate - $121,470 plus $100,000 TV monies
• Purses - Olson - $125,000 (guaranteed), Castellani - 60% of the net gate and TV monies

Unofficial scorecards (all for Olson)

• AP - 89 1/2 - 75 1/2
• UP - 9-2-4 (in rounds)
• Oakland Tribune - Two sportswriters from the Trib covered this bout. Scotty Stirling had it 86 1/2 - 78 1/2 and Jack Gallagher had it 88 1/2 - 76 1/2.

Post-fight comments

• "I slipped backing away. He didn't hit me. I twisted around avoiding a right hand and lost my balance." -Bobo Olson, on his 11th round knockdown

• "Olson blocked my left hook with his elbow early in round two. I felt something give just above the thumb. It pained me throughout the fight. I'm not using it as an excuse. Olson is a great fighter and he is a better puncher than most people think. His overhand right hurts." -Rocky Castellani