Johnny Jowls vs Joe Argilla

October 17, 1992. Manchester, England

Set up as part of the undercard for the Kimber-MacLaren British title fight, Bangla pulled off a coup by getting Argentinian Joe Argilla over to fight JJ on this particular bill. Argilla was undoubtedly the best opponent Jowls would have faced so far. Although past his best at 33, Argilla was a skillful fighter but who's stamina had been lacking in the past 2 or 3 years and he could run out of stamina in the later rounds. Still, 39 wins in 54 fights was impressive enough. With the British title fight on later the same evening, and a £20,000 purse for this fight up for grabs, Jowls would do well to win in front of the most notable of the British boxing writers.

Round 1. The two men were sparring in the fist minutes. After Argilla made the first impact, Jowls let fly with a right swing to the head, then a left cross to the jaw. A good opening from JJ, and a clear advantage in the opening round.

Round 2. Again both men seemed a bit wary of each other early in the round, but Jowls took control and displayed some excellent skills to win the round at a canter.

Round 3. A tougher one for Jowls. He landed a left cross and when he went to follow it up Argilla countered and got in a straight left of his own as Jowls came looking again. More of both men keeping their distance until Argilla found an opening and landed a right cross before Jowls managed to pull him in and see out the round. Maybe Argilla shaded that one, not sure.

Round 4. Argilla started to open up and take the fight to Johnny. In the middle portion he landed punch after punch and finished the round with a smacking right swing which caught Jowls on the side of the head as he backed away. Clear round for Argilla who was back in this fight.

Round 5. Jowls began well and found an opening for a great straight left through Argilla's guard. Argilla though began to come forward again and pressed Jowls for the final two minutes. Round to the Argentinian.

Round 6. Some fierce talking from Bangla and JJ came out firing in the 6th. Argilla looked as though he might be tiring and was on the run. After Jowls landed a right hook Argilla either ran or tried to spoil if Johnny got too close. Another round to Jowls, and things looked pretty even on the scorecard but with Argilla looking very tired.

Round 7. Jowls was gunning for Argilla although the Argentinian was able to hold and spoil in the early part of the round. Then Jowls caught him with a right hook just below the heart and Argilla was in trouble. Another right hook into the body put Argilla down against the ropes and the Argentinian took the full 9-count before reaching his feet. More punishment from Jowls followed but he couldn't put Argilla away this time. Round to Jowls and he was looking at his third win in a row.

Round 8. As they touched gloves the Argentinian could hardly lift his arms and right from the bell Jowls was looking to finish it. A right swing had Argilla in trouble and then a right hook inside. On the break Argilla somehow managed to land one of his own but then Jowls landed a right hook but somehow Argilla didn't go down. Argilla looked out of it though and the ref stepped in at 1:20 of the 8th round to stop the fight.

An impressive win for Jowls, taking his record now to 12-8[4]-0-4. Only now were people beginning to take notice and talk about him in the same breath as Kimber.