GEORGE NICHOLS
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION
1932

Chaos still prevailed in the light heavyweight division, even after Rosenbloom emerged as champion.

In 1932, the National Boxing Association, which felt Rosenbloom had not defended his title frequently enough, stripped him of the crown and held a 32-fighter tournament at Chicago to find another champion.

The winner was 24-year-old southpaw George Nichols, a native of Sandusky, Ohio, who had moved to Buffalo when he was 18. Ranked as a 100-1 shot at the beginning of the tourney, Nichols beat three good fighters, including Scozza to get to the final event.

In the championship bout on March 18,1932, at Chicago Stadium- the first title fight in history between two left handers-Nichols decisioned Dave Maier of Milwaukee in 10 rounds.

Nichols "clearly outpointed" his rival, wrote Buffalo Evening News reporter Francis J. Powers. He said "Nichols was the strong hitter and much to the surprise of every-one, really outboxed his Milwaukee rival."

Buffalo boxing fans were ecstatic. With Tommy Paul already holding the featherweight crown and Nichols winning the light heavyweight title, the city could, for the first time, boast the presence of two reigning champs.

The euphoria didn't last too long for Nichols. About 2 months later, he was decisively outpointed by Scozza in a non-title bout at Buffalo. But Scozza apparently was so impressive in that contest that he earned a shot at Rosenbloom's New York State title.

Scozza and Rosenbloom met at Bison Stadium on July 14,1932, and, although Rosenbloom was knocked down in the 14th round, the champion won on points and retained his title.

Records are spotty, but Nichols apparently suffered a knee injury, lost several non-title fights, and was not able to defend his NBA crown.

Meanwhile, Rosenbloom, generally accepted as the true champion, held the title until he was defeated by Bob Ohol on November 16, 1934.

Nichols continued to fight until 1939. His career record was 71-26-11 (24 knockouts) in 108 bouts. His whereabouts are unknown. If alive he turned 88 last July 9.