Willie Pastrano vs. Pat McMurtry

Willie Pastrano 186 lbs beat Pat McMurtry 179 lbs by UD in round 10 of 10

Date: 1956-08-24
Location: Lincoln Bowl, Tacoma, Washington, USA
Referee: Davey Ward 96-95
Judge: Ples Irwin 98-96
Judge: Al Whitman 98-94

Pastrano Jabs, Jigs Way To Close Win Over McMurtry
Associated Press | August 25, 1956

Sharpshooting Willie Pastrano jabbed and jigged his way to a close but unanimous decision over Pat McMurtry, the fistic pride of Tacoma, in a 10-round heavyweight fight here Friday night. The fifth-ranked world heavyweight from New Orleans tarnished the hometown luster of Irish Pat, the Pacific Northwest's No. 1 young heavyweight prospect. The victory kept the 20-year-old southerner's record without a mark since his climb to the ranks of the heavies. It was the first defeat for the 24-year-old McMurtry, the former Marine Corps light-heavy champion who had scored 17 knockouts in his previous 22 professional fights. Pastrano entered the ring at 186, with lightning speed in every pound. McMurtry was clumsier and slower at 178½, about six pounds under his usual weight. Referee Davey Ward gave the nod to Pastrano by a whisker, 96 to 95 points. The two judges' cards were for Pastrano by 98 to 90 and 98 to 94. The Associated Press score favored Pastrano by 98-94. Pastrano gained his edge by delivering a lightning fast jab that slowed McMurtry, then danced out of range of the Tacoman's hooks. McMurtry, who suffered an eye cut in the fourth round, landed his hooks solidly in only a couple of rounds. The first was the second, when he set Pastrano on his heels with a solid smash, but he wasn't able to follow it up. With his hopes of winning hanging on his final round showing, McMurtry never was able to uncork the slashing offense that had marked most of his previous bouts against lesser opponents, and the round and the victory went to Pastrano. There were no knockdowns. The fight drew 11,095 fans, with a gross gate of $56,240. Pastrano's share was close to $12,000. The fight was not televised or broadcast.