Joey Archer vs. Tony Dupas (1st meeting)

Joey Archer 158 lbs beat Tony Dupas 155 lbs by TD-S in round 7 of 10

• Date: 1959-03-10
• Location: City Auditorium, Houston, Texas, USA
• Referee: Ernie Taylor 5-1
• Judge: 3-2

"Joey Archer of New York won a split decision over middleweight Tony Dupas of New Orleans last night after ring officials and everyone else except a Houston newspaperman thought he lost. Dupas accidentally butted Archer and opened an inch long gash over his left eyelid. Trainer Bill Gore was unable to stop the flow of blood and threw in the towel. When Archer was unable to answer the bell, the ring announcer gave the fight to Dupas on a 7th round TKO. The 1,200 fans left the sports arena and the fighters went to their dressing rooms without questioning the decision. But Frank Godsoe, boxing writer for the Houston Press, wasn't so sure. He went into a huddle with Deputy Commissioner Billy Smith who was seated at ringside. Godsoe remembered a stipulation in the Boxing and Wrestling Rules of Texas that said if a fighter is leading on points and is accidentally butted and unable to continue, he wins the match. Smith checked and Godsoe was right. Smith reversed the decision and awarded Archer a split decision after six rounds on the technicality." -United Press International

Scorecards

• 5-1 Archer
• 3-2-1 Archer
• 3-2-1 Dupas