Fight:16214
Henry Armstrong 130 lbs beat Kid Moro 130 lbs by PTS in round 10 of 10
- Date: 1933-11-03
- Location: Pismo Beach Arena, Pismo Beach, California, USA
- Referee: Freddie Gilmore
"The 10-round bout between Henry Armstrong, 130, Los Angeles and Kid Moro, 130, Philippines, ended in a draw at Pismo Beach last night after a state commissioner present reversed a referee's decision in favor of Armstrong. The referee, Freddie Gilmore, was given police protection as protests of fans ended in a near riot." (Reno Gazette)
According to the San Luis Obispo Daily Telegram the rioters were mostly Filipinos angry after the decision went against Moro, the rioting calmed down after word began to spread that Moro had received a draw.
On November 8, 1933, the "Salinas-Index Journal" published that Referee Freddie Gilmore has decided to take a safe pastime as a result of a near-riot, of which he was a principal at the Pismo fight club here a few nights ago. Enraged at the verdict of Referee Gilmore which gave Henry Armstrong, Los Angeles, a decision over Kid Moro of Manila, countrymen of the defeated Filipino staged a near riot as an anti-climax to the main event. When Gilmore raised Armstrong's hand in token of a victory that was clear cut in the opinion of most fans, Moro's chief second crawled angrily into the ring and swung on the referee. Immediately the ring was surrounded by a mob of Filipinos who threw combs, programs and other small articles at the official. Just when the dispute appeared to be nearing an open brawl, Gilmore ended trouble by announcing he would change his decision to a draw. Moro's supporters dispersed and it was later announced that the original decision would stand. Local fight fans believe Moro's chief second will lose his state license as a result of his part in the affair.
The decision in this bout should be listed as a win on points by Henry Armstrong. There isn't any solid evidence that Referee Freddie Gilmore changed the decision to a draw. According to one report, an inspector changed the decision to a draw after there was a big commotion in the protesting crowd, which included a large number of Filipinos, but the California State Athletic Commission had an avowed policy of honoring the decisions which were rendered in bouts which took place in or outside the state of California during its early years.
During 1926, Captain Seth Strelinger, the first chairman of the commission, immediately recognized Mickey Walker as the world middleweight champion after Walker won the title from Tiger Flowers due to a very controversial decision rendered by Referee Benny Yanger in a bout which took place in Chicago, Illinois. At that time, Strelinger based this action on his policy of backing all decisions rendered in bouts. He added that a referee should be relieved of his duties if he proved to be incompetent or dishonest.- Chuck Johnston