Len Matthews vs. Willie Toweel
Len Matthews 136 lbs lost to Willie Toweel 139 lbs by SD in round 10 of 10
- Date: 1959-11-20
- Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA
- Referee: Harry Ebbets 4-5
- Judge: Artie Aidala 3-6
- Judge: Ray Kozak 9-5
"Willie Toweel, of South Africa, won a split decision over Philadelphia's Len Matthews Friday night in a rousing 10 rounder at MSG. Toweel, 139 1/4, turned in a beautiful job of counter-punching against an ever-charging opponent who packed more thunder in his punches. Floored on his back by a left hook early in the 8th round and dropped again from another furious barrage of punches, Toweel barely made the bell in that round. He was wandering wearily under heavy punishment when the gong sounded. This was a contest of punching power against boxing skill. Toweel barely survived the 8th. He was in trouble in the 4th and again was under heavy bombardment in the 10th. Toweel's jab kept the charging Matthews, 136 1/2, off balance while his overhand right stopped him short. Matthews kept slamming away at a moving target." -Associated Press
Scorecards
- Referee Harry Ebbets - 5-4-1 Toweel
- Judge Artie Aidala - 6-3-1 Toweel
- Judge Ray Kozak - 5-5, but with supplemental points 9-5 Matthews
- Unofficial AP scorecard - 5-4-1 Toweel
- Unofficial ringside poll of 9 boxing writers - 6 for Matthews and 3 for Toweel
Post fight comment
- "I knew what I was doing all the time. I knew about the 3 knockdown rule. When I got up the second time I said to myself, 'He's not going to get me, I'm going to run'." -Willie Toweel, when asked about the 8th round.