1948: Lee Oma - The Fight

Build-Up

When it came to the day of the fight, despite positive reports from commentators, the bookies jumped the other way and laid odds of 5 to 4 against Bruce. The other surprise was weight: Bruce was expected to scale around 13 st 12 lbs by the weigh-in, but in the event he was 14 st 1 lb to Oma’s 13 st 9¼ lb.

A Contradictory Fight

After all the anticipation the actual fight was an extremely contradictory affair. Yes, Bruce won conclusively and decisively. But the manner of the contest caused something of an uproar simply because Oma’s performance was laughably inadequate. There’s no existing footage as far as we can find, so what follows is an account from the Western Morning News, with additional details from a number of other newspaper sources, including the Aberdeen Press and Journal, and the Daily Express:

“BRUCE WOODCOCK KNOCKS OUT OMA IN FOURTH ROUND

CROWD BOOS UNIMPRESSIVE DISPLAY BY AMERICAN”

“BRUCE WOODCOCK, the British, Empire, and European heavy-weight champion, made his come-back to the ring with a sensational knockout in the fourth round of his eight rounds contest with Lee Oma, of Detroit, at Harringay last night. Bruce was on top right from the start, and three quick blows to the head left Oma, whose showing was by no means impressive, writhing on the canvas at the end. Few heavy-weight contests in the last couple of years captured the imagination so much as this clash, but it may be a reflection on the standard of heavy-weight boxing that two men not so long ago considered to be ‘washed-up’ as world title contenders, could look forward to fame and fortune if victory came their way.

Bruce Woodcock, who was having his first fight since his jaw was broken 18 months ago, had a weight advantage of nearly 61b. over the American. At the weigh-in Woodcock scaled 14st. 1 lb. to Oma's 13st. 9 lb. Woodcock is 27 years old and Oma 32. Woodcock was given a tremendous reception from the big crowd. He appeared fit and confident as he chatted to has manager, Tom Hurst, and laughed happily.”

Round by Round

ROUND ONE : Woodcock kept his jaw covered by his left shoulder as he came from his corner and Oma forced the issue at the start. The British champion backed away, but retaliated with four good left leads, the last one making Oma blink and shake his head. Again and again Woodcock’s long left found its mark on Oma’s face, but a terrific right hook sailed harmlessly over the American’s head. 

ROUND TWO : Woodcock was obviously feeling his way, but stood up to the American better at the start of the second round to land couple of stinging left leads. Oma was sent rocking back on to his heels with another left and he gasped as a right cross grazed his chin. Oma did not appear to be making any attempt to guard against Woodcock’s left leads, which by now had made his nose red and swollen. The British champion’s left glove was hardly out of Oma’s face, but he missed with a right and left, the impetus of one swinging him right round.

ROUND THREE : Unperturbed by the punches he had taken on the face, Oma kept coming back for more and forced Woodcock into a corner. Woodcock steadily came to life, rocking the American with a succession of lefts and rights, and Oma was soon staggering drunkenly round the ring. The crowd at this stage appeared dissatisfied with the fight and there was some booing. Again Oma rocked from a left and right the jaw, but he was still there fighting back in rather half-hearted fashion at the end the round. 

ROUND FOUR : When the crowd began to clap in derision at the outset of the fourth round, marking time with their hands to the tap, tap of Woodcock’s glove in Oma’s face, the American woke up for a spell and went into the attack. The crowd now began to sing ‘Lay down, lay down’ to the tune of ‘Bow Bells. ’ Eventually Woodcock landed a right-cross and Oma was down, rolling over and over in the ring. He was counted out amid the boos from the crowd and many pennies were thrown into the ring.

Oma appeared to be agony on the floor, and a doctor jumped into the ring to attend to him. Oma got to his feet and was assisted to his corner, where he hung his head and cried in disappointment. Throughout the contest Oma did not look as he was set to deliver a telling blow. Woodcock, naturally enough, carefully felt his way along for the first two rounds, but the ease with which he peppered Oma’s face with his left quickly overcame any psychological defects. Although at no time did the British champion look very good he did just as he liked with his opponent. 

A Sour Comeback

Back in his dressing room Woodcock said: “I certainly feel a lot better now. It took me three rounds to settle down as everything felt so strange. Jaw? Yes, Oma landed a hard punch there, and hurt, but I am satisfied that my jaw and my eye are quite all right.” Tom Hurst, Woodcock’s manager, said “I am well satisfied. Now I want him to have another couple of fights to get his shoes in resin. I think the American Lee Savold would be good testing opponent.” Crestfallen Oma said: “I did not know Woodcock could punch so hard. I could find no way of keeping away from that left jab of his. His style did not suit me and found it difficult to get in.”

Jack Solomons, the promoter, declared after the fight: “What can I do about it. I was just as disgusted as anyone over Oma’s performance.” As to his plans for Woodcock, Solomons said: “I think Olle Tandberg, the Swedish champion, should be given a chance at Woodcock’s European title. Afterwards Lee Savold as a stepping-stone towards Joe Louis. This second fight would, of course, only come about if Woodcock beats Tandberg, assuming the British champion agrees.”

A bit of a sour taste to the comeback - and the backlash was worse!