Forgotten and Underrated Heavyweight Classic: Roland LaStarza vs. Rex Layne

Expectation: Having read the boxrec account and about both boys as well I was expecting a great, rugged fight.

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1. Layne was the stalker as always, and although I'd never seen LaStarza before, I was kind of expecting to see a good boxer, which is what I saw. LaStarza showed a good left jab, a high guard, and carried adequate power. The round was just fresh and Layne already landed a really good right overhand which dropped LaStarza. LaStarza collapsed , although neither a knee nor a glove ever touched the canvas. If Layne hadn't been so close to LaStarza, he would have gone down in a more familiar manner. From the records I've seen, this was not counted as a knockdown, although I think it should have been. However, should it not count, since LaStarza did not touch a knee or glove on the canvas? LaStarza was a pretty audacious fellow; he didn't run or try to tie Layne up, he instead was landing 1-2's on Layne and even tried to trade left hooks with Layne. LaStarza finally did clinch when Layne landed another clean overhand right that had gotten Roland in trouble earlier. The hectic pace continued until the bell rang with LaStarza landing sharp 1-2's and Layne was scrambling after LaStarza in a most Oscar Bonavena-like manner trying to land body shots. Layne.
2. Went really well for LaStarza. LaStarza landed a darn good 1-2 nearly immediately that I think shook up Layne. LaStarza fought smartly, landing many fine 1-2's which kept Layne stumbling around and clinching whenever he thought Layne might get the better of him. Layne's eye was beginning to gush blood already. So I would say this was a big success for LaStarza. LaStarza.
3. LaStarza wisely remained faithful in replicating his previous successes. He just kept doing what he was doing, and it was working beautifully. Another good 1-2 combination buckled the knee of Layne as he was advancing. And by the end of the round, it was Layne who was hanging on, not LaStarza. LaStarza.
4. The round was in the bag for LaStarza, but Layne did land a right overhand, left hook, right overhand combo that hurt LaStarza at the end of the round. LaStarza.
5. LaStarza.
6. LaStarza was pretty tired, so it was Layne who landed the more damaging punches. Layne.
7. Probably an even better round for Layne: he was getting through to LaStarza with more shots to the head, and they were more damaging. He was landing quite a few more jabs than he had been previously. LaStarza did land two good counter right hands during the round, but was fairly exhausted, even slipping to the canvas once. A pretty decisive round for Layne. Layne.
8. LaStarza was putting some water on Layne's smoke, mostly with clinching, but also offering the most offensive action since round 5, though it was not high quality punching by LaStarza. Layne.
9. LaStarza is on the comeback. The snap is back in his punches. A right overhand followed by a left then a right hook almost made them even on the knockdowns. From there, they clinched the round away. LaStarza.
10. LaStarza boxed as he coasted (in comparison to other rounds), while Layne went for broke, as much as you can when you're that tired. It was LaStarza's more accurate blows which made the difference. LaStarza.

Final score: 6-4 for LaStarza. I was awfully glad I rewatched this fight cuz my score was originally overwhelmingly against Layne, but it turned out to be a pretty close fight. I originally overlooked how badly LaStarza tired through the sixth through eighth frames. One of Layne's best showings on film really.

Assessment:
LaStarza-A pretty good boxer. Not the best footwork in the world, but a good jab, good defense, durability, decent power, and a smart mind. He will for sure be a challenge for Marciano.
Layne-Layne is Layne. Not a polished fighter by any means, but he came to fight. His stamina seemed better than it did in his earlier contests with Charles and Marciano, and he was throwing in the jab more, which looked improved as well. My favorite aspect about Layne is his great overhand right. I just love a good overhand right.
Anybody could figure out that boxing skill, power, brains, and guts (LaStarza) is going to beat power and guts (Layne).

Funny story, when I took notes on this the first time, as I always do, I would write the initials of the winner of each round after the observations. I unwittingly did so here, and that's why I had to rewatch the fight all over again.

Verdict: Goes hand-in-hand with the expectation. One of those great grueling fights that you just gotta love to see two guys give so much effort. See it for sure guys.

 

Oh brother! I don't know how this happened.

Thanks bro, I might never have figured it out!

 

@Gazelle Punch, what do you think of this one?

 

I did see Marciano-LaStarza II, one of the first fights I ever saw actually, such a long time ago.
I could very well be wrong about the footwork, it may have been rather subtle, I wasn't giving it all my attention. But what I did see of his footwork didn't impress much upon my mind.

 

Building off of what you have said, a LaStarzs rematch was probably much more financially beneficial than a Layne rematch. After the draw with LaStarza, probably a lot of hype was stimulated for a rematch. I don't think Layne 2 would have differed greatly from the first fight and I think fans would've known it.

 

Yep, it was not a draw, is what I meant.

Fighting Layne again just seems like a carbon copy in the making.