Rex Layne vs. Roland LaStarza

Rex Layne 200 lbs lost to Roland LaStarza 190 lbs by SD in round 10 of 10

• Date: 1953-02-13
• Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA
• Referee: Al Berl 6-3
• Judge: Young Otto 4-6
• Judge: Harold Barnes 4-5

"Roland LaStarza is aiming at a title shot with Rocky Marciano after his close win over Rex Layne in a rugged MSG bout. Layne bulled LaStarza in the first round and almost dropped him with a smashing right to the chin. LaStarza outboxed his man in the 2nd before Layne started to throw his 200 pounds around the ring. Through the 4th, 5th and 6th Layne dug a hard right to the body and countered with a right hand when LaStarza missed with long right hand leads. LaStarza started to rally in the 7th, shortening his right hand punches while Layne tired. In the 9th the 190 pound LaStarza wobbled Layne with a right to the head. He won the 10th on all three cards to nail down the decision." -Associated Press

• Unofficial AP scorecard - 4-4-2 Draw
• Unofficial UP scorecard - 5-4-1 Layne
• Attendance - 7,180
• Gate - $24,139

Post fight comments

• "We wuz robbed!. I thought Rex won at least five of the first seven and maybe six. He was bothered from the seventh on when vaseline got in his eye." -Marv Jensen, Layne's manager.

• "Charles would beat LaStarza. Marciano is a better hitter. I don't know about Walcott. It's been such a long time since I fought him. That's almost ancient history." -Rex Layne, comparing past opponents to LaStarza.

• "We want Marciano. They ducked us after they beat us on a split decision three years ago. Now we want that rematch." -Jimmy de Angelo, LaStarza's manager, looking for a title shot against the newly crowned champ.

• "I thought I beat Marciano the first time. I feel he is easier than this guy Layne." -Roland LaStarza