Percy Pugh vs. Billy Backus (1st meeting)
Billy Backus 146 lbs lost to Percy Pugh 144 lbs by UD in round 10 of 10
- Date: 1968-06-03
- Location: Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
- Referee: Herman Dutreix 4-5
- Judge: Lucien Joubert 1-7
- Judge: Freddie Adams 2-7
"Percy Pugh, No. 2 ranked welterweight in the world, continues to chew up ground in his bid for the title. He made some headway Monday night as he outpunched a game opponent in Billy Backus to pick up a unanimous decision in the 10-round feature bout at Municipal Auditorium. Hoping for a title shot at Curtis Cokes and the big money, Pugh counter-punched skillfully, piling up points with both fists against Backus, 146, who fights out of Canastota, NY. Feinting with his right, Pugh, 144 1/4, opened a slit above Backus's left eye in the 6th round. He followed through two rounds later with a hard left to the head then pummeled Billy's face with a series of rights. Backus, who is unranked but fresh from eight straight victories, tried to protect his face as he fought back. Ever dangerous, Backus laced Pugh effectively with both hands throughout but was unable to inflict any real damage. There were no knockdowns." -Associated Press
- Unofficial AP scorecard - 5-3-2 Pugh
- Attendance - 3,229
- Gate - $12,200 (app.)
- Promoter Lou Messina offered Curtis Cokes $20,000 plus all of the TV receipts for a title fight with Percy Pugh in New Orleans. However, Cokes' manager Doug Lord stated he wanted $50,000.