Fight:285713

Joe DeNucci 167 lbs beat Harold Simmons 167 lbs by UD in round 10 of 10

• Date: 1960-09-27
• Location: Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
• Referee: Billy Connelly 96-95
• Judge: Tom McNeeley Sr 98-94
• Judge: Joe Murphy 99-96

A good last round, a round he seemed to need badly, gave Joe DeNucci a unanimous decision in the arena last night. The Newton light-heavy came through with five overhead rights in a row, all on target, to edge Harold “Babe” Simmons of New York, in 10 good rounds. Off fast and apparently on his way to an easy victory, 20-year-old DeNucci had to go all out in the final to grab this one off the way (the fans saw it). The minute crowd of 944 (net $1521, gross $1880) was on the side of the 18-year-old Babe, fighting his 10th pro fight and going 10 rounds for the first time. He deserved some nods, especially the way he came back from early round beatings. But back he came with a nifty attack to the body. He was inside Joe from the fifth through the ninth, tagging him solidly with good lefts and rights, good shots that wore Joe down. After the fifth, it was possible this youngster from Manhattan was going to win. He was fresh and coming on. Joe was weary, quite obviously tired. Then, when the tough moments came, Joe got back his urge to win, and his experience stood by him. Five times at the start of the tenth he shot that overhand right into his rival’s face. Even the crowd had to agree he had it. From there on he was completely in charge, winning his 25th fight with only three defeats. Referee Billy Connelly was the only official who had it close. Bill called it 96-95. Judge Tom McNeeley, father of the Arlington heavyweight, had Joe well ahead, 98-94. Judge Joe Murphy, a new one, liked Joe 99-96. [John Ahern, The Boston Globe]