Roland LaStarza vs. Don Cockell

Roland LaStarza 190 lbs lost to Don Cockell 211 lbs by PTS in round 10 of 10

• Date: 1954-03-30
• Location: Earls Court Arena, Kensington, London, United Kingdom
• Referee: Eugene Henderson

"Don Cockell was the man of the hour here today. He skyrocketed to a contending role in the heavyweight picture by outpointing Roland LaStarza in 10 rounds at Earls Court Arena Tuesday night. Cockell took over in the 5th and piled up points the rest of the way. In fairness, LaStarza wasn't that bad. For four rounds, he looked as though he intended to do a workmanlike job on Cockell. But the Britisher got wise in the 5th, became the aggressor, broke up LaStarza's counter-punching and piled up point after point. Cockell was warned four times about low blows and LaStarza and his manager both said the American would have been DQ'd if it had been the other way around." -Associated Press

• Attendance - 18,000
• Gate - $1112,000 (app.)
• Purses (app.) - LaStarza - $16,800, Cockell - $14,000

Unofficial scorecards

• AP - 5-4-1 Cockell
• UPI - 5-3-2 Cockell

Post fight comments

• "Rollie never really hurt me. It was nice to win." -Don Cockell

• "To tell the truth, I was expecting this. I was told before I came that I'd have to win by a knockout. I was slow starting and fought a bad fight. But I think I won." -Roland LaStarza

• "If nothing else comes along, we'll probably fight Harry Matthews in Seattle again." -John Simpson, Cockell's manager, on awaiting a chance at Rocky Marciano's heavyweight title.

• "Cockell should have been thrown out of the ring. He landed at least 20 low blows. If my boy landed two, he would have been thrown out on his ear." -Jimmy DeAngelo, LaStarza's manager