Len Matthews vs. Tommy Tibbs

Len Matthews 132 lbs beat Tommy Tibbs 131 lbs by UD in round 10 of 10

• Date: 1958-09-12
• Location: Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
• Referee: Pete Tomasco 49-42
• Judge: 50-37
• Judge: Jim Weston 49-43

"Philadelphia lightweight Len Matthews gave a sparse Arena crowd - an estimated 2,000 saw the nationally televised fight - an excellent demonstration of boxing. He worked over Tommy Tibbs with beautiful right and left hand combinations, staggering him several times and planting a big mouse under the Bostonian's right eye. Matthews was unmarked and unruffled at the end. Despite his easy victory, Matthews still has to show his worth against a top flight opponent. Tibbs is a sturdy little fellow who can take a punch. But he also proved to be a light hitter whom Matthews could wade into without fear of being hurt." -Associated Press

• Unofficial AP scorecard - 50-35 Matthews

Post fight comments

• "Sure I tried to knock him out when I had him in trouble in the 10th round, but my manager is right. Winning on points is the best thing to happen to me. I've got to realize you can't win them all by knockouts." -Len Matthews

• "That's right, kid. You showed you can box and can defend yourself. Now we're ready for any of the rated lightweights." -Tony Graziano, Matthews' manager