Jones Takes World Middleweight Honors
London, England: Bob Watson and Paddington Tom Jones earned the right to square-off for the Royal Explorers Club world title prize with victories over Tinman Hooper and Bill Wood respectively last year. Jones is widely held as the best Middleweight available so his victory came as no surprise to the fancy but it was not without controversy.
Watson was as fit as a man could be and ready for a fight. He opened with a barrage that made Jones flee and kept the pressure on clear through the seventh round. With no knockdowns under his belt and only eight rounds to go, Jones was done for in the eyes of the scribes on hand. Jones however, reached deep and brought forth a gallant effort in turning the tide on Watson. The eighth through twelfth frames all belonged to Tom as he battered his man to the cheers on an adoring crowd. As the thirteenth opened, the two men clunked noggins leaving Jones with a horrific gash on his forehead. As the blood filled both his eyes, Watson seized the moment and battered the near-blind Jones for three solid minutes. The fourteenth opened with Jones unable to see through the waterfall of crimson. The referee called the match off imediately and announced that due to the unintentional nature of the blow that struck Jones' forehead, he would declare the winner after a few moments to gather his thoughts. The crowd, mostly Jones backers, was furious, as they wanted to see their man given the opportunity to get back in the fight. Much to everyone's surprise, the official decision was eight rounds for Jones and five for Watson. It is speculated that the referee feared a Watson victory would bring out the worst in an already ugly crowd. Regardless the true reason for the call, Jones is the World Champion and protection should most certainly be afforded officials at future title matches.
