Albert Morgan Pilkington (December 25, 1902 – August 3, 1953), better known as Tod Morgan, was an American boxer who took the World Jr. Lightweight Championship in 1925 in Los Angeles and held it for an impressive four years. His managers were his stepfather Frank Morgan, and later Frank Churchill, who also trained Mike Ballerino, a former Jr. Lightweight champion. His trainer was "Spider" Roach.
Early life and career
Morgan was born in the small town of Dungeness, Washington, near Sequim, on December 25, 1902.
Tod's stepfather, Fred, put Tod in boxing as a means of getting some strength into his body. His first professional fights were in 1920, in Concrete, and Anacortes, Washington, against Johnny Bitoni, and Pete Moe, who knocked him out. After these two bouts, his stepfather Fred moved him to California. After arriving in Eureka where he fought two bouts with George Green, his stepfather began training him in the backroom of the Hoffman House in Vallejo, California, a soft-drink parlor and lunch room. Tod's first fight in Valejo was around October 1920.
On May 24, 1922, Morgan defeated California boxer Ad Rubidoux at the Oakland Arena in Oakland, California in a ten-round points decision. The bout was fiercely fought and considered the most interesting of the bouts fought that night.
Taking the Pacific Coast Featherweight Title, August 1923
Morgan first took the Pacific Coast Title on August 22, 1923, against Bud Ridley in a six-round decision in Seattle. In a decisive win, he outpointed Ridley in every round but the opening of the sixth. As in previous fights, Morgan used his left to keep his opponent at a distance. Ridley's crouching style was ineffective against the left of Morgan.
In another six round points decision, Morgan defended his Pacific Coast Title on September 5, 1923, against Ridley in a rematch in Seattle. Most ringside critics felt that Morgan had defeated Ridley even more decisively than in their first match. Morgan outboxed, outslugged, and effectively out maneuvered his opponent. Morgan landed far more punches than Ridley, who showed gameness, but was clearly outmatched.
On January 22, 1924, Morgan knocked out accomplished boxer Frankie Britt in the third round at Crystal Pool in Seattle, Washington, retaining the Pacific Coast Featherweight Title.
Wins over Joe Gorman
Morgan's first meeting with Joe Gorman on February 26, 1924, ended in a six-round draw. As the bout was non-title due to Gorman's weight of 130, the bout was tame, and Morgan landed blows easily, though not with great steam. Some ringside felt Morgan had the edge in the bout.
On December 30, 1924, Morgan defeated Doc Snell at the Crystal Pool in Seattle, Washington in a six-round points decision. He had drawn with Snell two weeks earlier in Tacoma. In their Tacoma bout, several critics ringside felt Morgan had the edge, but the boxing was fast and probably close. Snell would take the Pacific Coast Featherweight Title in January 1927, and would later take the Pacific Coast Jr. Lightweight Title. He had formerly held the North Central Washington Featherweight Title.
On June 28, 1927, Morgan would lose to Snell in an unusual six round outdoor bout in Seattle. In the first two rounds, Morgan used his left jab cautiously to control Snell and defend against him, although Snell seemed to have an advantage in the third. Morgan floored Snell twice in the fourth round, once for a count of five. Snell recovered and decked Morgan in the fourth with a strong blow behind the ear. He dropped Morgan again briefly in that round and then continued in the fifth and sixth with a decided advantage as Morgan still appeared groggy. Snell may have come close to a knockout at several points in the final two rounds.
Morgan would meet Gorman again on October 21 of that year for a fairly easy decision in six rounds in Seattle. On June 10, 1925, Morgan would defeat Gorman again in Oakland in an easy ten round points decision. Gorman was knocked to the mat in the first, and was not a major threat in the following rounds.