Dick Tiger vs. Gene Fullmer (1st meeting)

Tiger throws a left at Fullmer

Gene Fullmer 160 lbs lost to Dick Tiger 159 lbs by UD in round 15 of 15

• Date: 1962-10-23
• Location: Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California, USA
• Referee: Frankie Carter 1-10
• Judge: Vern Bybee 5-7
• Judge: Jack Downey 5-9

• World Boxing Association Middleweight Title (Inaugural title)
• Program Cover

"The long reign of Gene Fullmer as king of the WBA middleweight division was over today, terminated by a mauler and brawler much in the same mold as the Utah strong boy. The new ruler is Dick Tiger of Nigeria, the British Empire champion of the 160 pounders, who won the title by unanimous decision Tuesday night in 15 rough, bruising rounds in Candlestick Park. There was blood, as is usual with a Fullmer fight, but no knockdowns. Fullmer fought the last 4 1/2 rounds in a familiar Fullmer pattern. He was cut and bleeding from gashes over both eyes, but he was still flailing away with both fists at the final bell." -Associated Press

Notes

• Unofficial UPI scorecard - 9-4 Tiger
• A crowd of 11,600 produced a gate of $101,000.
• Tiger was guaranteed a flat $25,000. Fullmer received 45 percent of the gate and 66⅔ percent from closed circuit TV, which was shown in 48 cities.
• This was Fullmer's first title defense since the National Boxing Association became the World Boxing Association. Fullmer successfully defended the NBA middleweight title seven times.

Post-fight comment

• "After 3 or 4 rounds I knew I was tangling with the champion." -Dick Tiger

Preceded by: Inaugural Title Fight

WBA Middleweight Title Fight # 1

Succeeded by: Tiger vs. Fullmer II