Virgil Akins vs. Walter Byars
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Virgil Akins 148 lbs beat Walter Byars 144 lbs by UD in round 10 of 10
- Date: 1957-06-12
- Location: Arena, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
- Referee: Paddy Mills 99-96
- Judge: Charles E Ford 96-94
- Judge: Johnny Burton 99-96
Norfolk – June 13 (UP and The Ring) Virgil Akins of St. Louis and Walter Byars of Boston were featured in a special card at the Norfolk Arena at which 2,179 fans were present and Akins won an unpopular decision. Akins fought from long range and refused to mix it up in close where Byars is at his best. Akins’ harder punching at long range beat stubby Byars in their TV 10 rounder. It was the sixth consecutive victory for 148-pound Virgil, rated fourth among contenders. Byars, 144, suffered his second straight defeat. Many of the fans thought 29-year-old Akins didn’t deserve the decision. They booed the verdict after rooting throughout for little 24-year-old Walter, the 12-5 underdog.