FIGHT OF THE WEEK 4- Johnny Bratton vs Charley Fusari (70th Anniversary edition)

I scored this one for Fusari 9-5-1 in rounds and 143-141 on a 10 point system. I gave Bratton 3,4,5(2),9,10(2), I gave Fusari 1,2,6,7,8,11,12,13,14, and 15 EVEN. Fusari was BUSY, I wouldn't be surprised if he threw over 100 punches a round, maybe even 2,000 for the 15 rounds.

Fusari was an arm puncher. Lots of times he threw a right hand and didn't rotate/shift his weight at all. Bratton was faster, stronger, and hit harder, he had most of the advantages, but not as busy and at times looked overwhelmed by Fusari's aggressiveness. I was expecting Bratton to get some more knockdowns as the fight went on, but Fusari was a hard guy to fight. Fusari didn't cut the ring well, but maybe he didn't want to, Bratton could punch and if Fusari cut the ring he might have walked into something? I wasn't expecting Bratton to get the decision, maybe the judges gave more points for the knockdowns or maybe it just looked different from ringside.

 

Johnny Bratton v Charley Fusari

RBR with notes and scoring summary:
1 Even (cracking opener - could have gone either way)
2 Fusari (more quality action. Fusari taking it to Bratton)
3 Bratton
4 Bratton (flash knockdown in a round Fusari was otherwise winning)
5 Bratton (some good rights from Bratton)
6 Bratton (some great action as Fusari battles back after taking some punishment from Bratton. Still Bratton's round though)
7 Fusari (Fusari continues his strong end to the previous round by giving Bratton a beating)
8 Fusari
9 Bratton (good start from Fusari before Bratton lands some bombs - great action)
10 Bratton (big right hand puts Fusari down hard and he barely makes the count. Bratton back in control)
11 Fusari (close. Slower round which Fusari finishes stronger to take it)
12 Fusari (similar to the previous round but Fusari clearly took it)
13 Fusari (Fusari doing enough to take another round)
14 Fusari (both fighters weary now but Fusari throwing more leather)
15 Bratton (terrific final round action with Bratton finishing just the stronger)

7-7 with 1 even

What a great fight - this is definitely one that flew under my radar but I decided to dedicate some time to the 50s welterweight era because it had some fantastic champions, contenders and fights. But I didn't realise that this fight was so good.

This was close and the scoring system you choose could have a significant outcome on who was the winner. I didn't attempt the 150 point scoring system because I couldn't work it out. I generally score on a 10 point must so have tallies here for both RBR (above) and 10 point must - based on that I have it either a draw in rounds or a narrow points win for Bratton, courtesy of the knockdowns in round 4 and round 10. I scored round 4 10-9 only to Bratton as I felt Fusari was winning and it was such a quick flash knockdown that it seemed harsh on Fusari to make it a 2 point margin to Bratton. Round 10 though was a definite 10-8. That brought my overall total to 143-142 in Bratton's favour.

 

First of, thanks to @PhillyPhan69 and @Jel for putting this on our radar. I have seen this fight out there for awhile but never bothered to check it out. My bad! I thought this was a terrific contest.

First of all, the scoring. I always stick to scoring with the system used. Whether it be the NY system of a rounds basis, the California 1 point a round, 0 for even, etc., the Australian system of the 50s, 5 point, British, 5 point or 10 point. It is the system in place which can reflect how the judges see a fight. However, I will be honest that I just don't have a handle on the Illinois system. I also have seen this system used in a number of Charley Riley fights that I viewed that took place in Missouri. So maybe this was a Midwest thing, I just don't know and it could be a case of being wildly liberal with points. So rather than score it wrong, I will simply go with a rounds basis and a 10 point like most of you guys are doing. Here we go.

Johnny Bratton v Charley Fusari (vacant welterweight title)

Round 1: Fusari
Round 2: Fusari
Round 3: Bratton
Round 4: Bratton (scores a knockdown)
Round 5: Even
Round 6: Bratton
Round 7: Fusari
Round 8: Fusari
Round 9: Bratton
Round 10: Bratton (scores a knockdown)
Round 11: Fusari
Round 12: Fusari
Round 13: Fusari
Round 14: Fusari
Round 15: Even

Total: 8-5-2 Fusari in rounds, 143-142 Fusari on 10 point must, or 68-67 Fusari on 5 point must - all which are inaccurate with the scoring method used. (Actual scores: 77-73 and 78-72 both for Bratton and a 76-74 for Fusari)

To begin, for some reason - going into this fight - I thought Fusari was more boxer and Bratton was a busy type fighter. Neither was correct. Bratton was a type of lazy fighter who seemed to fight only in spurts. On my card he let this fight get away from him. When he did fight, he was sharp as hell. Fusari on the other hand, was constantly plugging away with clubbing - not hard - shots and never let up. I made notes about round 4 & 5 that I would have given the 4th to Fusari if not for the knockdown and in the 5th he caught Fusari twice with a couple of zingers then went into La-La land and Fusari carried the freight most of the round. I also made notes that rounds 11-14 that Fusari was unspectacular, yet was the only one doing the fighting. It was there after 10 rounds for Bratton to take and I felt he did little. Bratton came alive a bit in the 15th to make it a good round, but again, only in spurts and I again felt Fusari's dogged effort evened that round. A very close fight and a different scoring system might change my card, but it is what it is. An excellent fight, guys.

 

I concur. I really enjoyed this fight.

 

It's a great fight. Whoever recommended this really knows his ****.

 

Thanks as ever @PhillyPhan69 for your round up and I'll be on the lookout for more lesser known gems. I like the anniversary theme as well so will be looking for fights that work with that too.