Lee Savold vs. Bruce Woodcock (1st meeting)

Bruce Woodcock 191 lbs beat Lee Savold 188 lbs by DQ at 1:40 in round 4 of 10

• Date: 1948-12-06
• Location: Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, United Kingdom
• Referee: Sam Russell

"Bruce Woodcock, British heavyweight champion, beat Lee Savold of Paterson, N.J., on a 4th round foul Monday night but the verdict caused an immediate storm of protest. Savold brought blood to Woodcock's nose in the 1st round but the Englishman was credited with an edge in the round after harassing the American with stabbing left hands. The 2nd round was about even with any margin to Savold, who started meting out punishment with vicious left hooks. In the 3rd, Savold caught the Briton with a left hook to the chin and sent him spinning to the floor for an eight-count. In the 4th, the American landed a solid right to the stomach and Woodcock winced. Savold pressed the attack but the Englishman waltzed out of reach. Suddenly Woodcock rolled to the canvas after being struck by a right hand. He clutched his groin, writhing and grimacing, while Savold stood by, frowning in bewilderment. Referee Sam Russell stepped in quickly and ruled that Savold had struck a low blow. The American was disqualified." -Associated Press

Post-fight comments

• "It wasn't a low punch. It landed on the solar-plexus. In any case it was just a light tap." -Lee Savold

• "Woodcock's a faker. He knew Lee had him going and that was the only way he could win the fight." -Bill Daly, Savold's manager

• "There was no other decision I could make. If Woodcock had got up unhurt I would probably have warned Savold but with Woodcock lying in agony on the canvas I had no alternative but to stop the fight." -Referee Sam Russell