Philly Boxing History

FEBRUARY 27, 1961

KITTEN HAYWARD BEATS CARL HUBBARD, NOW 11-1

Stanley "Kitten" Hayward fought his 12th pro bout, on this day in 1961, winning an 8-round decision over Carl Hubbard, in Philadelphia. At this point in his career, Hayward, a pro since 1959, was still about three years away from his breakout year of 1964, when he would become a world-ranked contender based on his KO of Curtis Cokes. Hubbard was a dangerous and accomplished foe who had an unbeaten streak until the year before. After losing to Kitten, he fought just one more time before retiring.

In time, Hayward would score wins over Emile Griffith, Bennie Briscoe, Dick Turner, Percy Manning, and Perry Abney, during his colorful run as a welterweight and middleweight through 1977. He lost his one shot at the title when he dropped a 15-round decision in Las Vegas to Freddie Little, for the Vacant World Jr. Middleweight championship in 1969. 

  1958 - Kid Anselm KO6 Johnny Cunningham at the Cambria in Northeast Philly (Kensington)