Thanks for the info WACO! I solved problem. Went and got a round plastic box for old work, the one wiyh the metal ears that grab the drywall from behind. Or shake in this instance. Traced the box and cut the hole. Fixture was nice and tight after that. The old fixture was just as you said, With a mounting strap with a short nipple through the center to hold the fixture base. the splice was made right inside the canopy. Am I correct in assuming that you cannot have a splice inside of canopy unless there is a box there?. Also, I inittialy did mount a pancake box and mounted fixture to yhat with mounting strap but it was a little loose and I was not feeling good about that! The way I see it, is that I,m gonna do it right or not do it at all. Thanks much!