Percy Bassett vs. Teddy (Red Top) Davis (4th meeting)

Percy Bassett 126 lbs lost to Teddy Davis 126 lbs by UD in round 12 of 12

• Date: 1954-11-26
• Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA
• Referee: Al Berl 4-7
• Judge: Frank Forbes 4-7
• Judge: Artie Aidala 3-8

"Teddy (Red Top) Davis gave Percy Bassett a first class boxing lesson to make it 2-2 in their four meetings. Davis outpunched Percy through the first three sizzling rounds, dropped the 4th and 5th to Percy's solid left hooks and swinging rights to head and body, held Percy even in the 6th, and then outdazzled Percy the rest of the way. Bassett broke out with a flurry of solid punches in the 11th but otherwise it was all Davis. There were no knockdowns but Bassett's left eye was half-closed at the finish." -Associated Press

• Unofficial AP and UP scorecards both had it 8-4 for Davis.

• The NBA gave 126 lb. champion Sandy Saddler an ultimatum on November 5th to defend his world title against the winner of this bout by December 14th or face forfeiture of his title and that the winner of Davis-Bassett would be recognised as the new NBA champion. Saddler, however, had a non-title bout against Bobby Woods in Spokane signed for December 10th. In the end he was given a grace period and defended his crown against Davis the following February.

Post fight comments

• "I can beat those tall men. I beat Federico Plummer twice and he's six feet. Get me Saddler and I'll be the new champion." -Teddy Davis

• "If Saddler doesn't rip him apart with left hooks, Davis can beat him." -Percy Bassett

• "If Saddler doesn't fight Davis by December 14th, we'll claim the title. I'm going to the NYSAC and post a $1,000 forfeit next Friday." -Mushky Salow, Davis' manager