Spider Webb vs. Rory Calhoun (1st meeting)
Spider Webb 157 lbs beat Rory Calhoun 162 lbs by UD in round 10 of 10
- Date: 1956-08-29
- Location: Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Referee: Joey White 46-44
- Judge: Howard Walsh 46-45
- Judge: Lou Caparelli 45-44
"Spider Webb, once a national collegiate boxing chanpion at Idaho State College, is the newest sensation to burst upon the middleweight scene. Webb scored a unanimous 10 round decision Wednesday night over previously unbeaten Rory Calhoun of New York. The scrap was a slam-bang affair from the opening bell, with the powerful Calhoun wading in for knockout blows and the nimble Webb using his rights and lefts like an epee. Calhoun absorbed all Webb's best shots without flinching and landed enough bombs himself to prove that Spider can be hit and can take it. It looked as if Webb was doomed in the 3rd round when Calhoun sledged him into the corner with a crushing right to the jaw. Calhoun was so certain he had nailed his opponent that he turned and walked away. But Webb bounced off the ropes and tore after Calhoun so vigorously that both fighters were flailing away seconds after the bell." -Associated Press
- Unofficial AP scorecard - 47-46 Webb
- It was rumored in the press that the winner of this bout would be taking on the winner of the September 28th Joey Giardello - Bobby Boyd contest in Cleveland. The two winners would meet in Chicago around October 31st with the winner lined up for a title shot, which of course, did not take place.