JO Sports Inc.
HISTORY: On June 26, 1976 World Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali fought an exhibition match with the famous Japanese wrestler Antonio Inoki. The match took place in Tokyo. After 15 rounds it was declared a draw, but Ali took severe punishment to his legs which bothered him for years following. On the same date at Shea Stadium in New York Chuck Wepner found himself in another ring against another one of the greats, this time Andre the Giant. On June 25th, 1976, Chuck Wepner took on Andre at Shea Stadium. The fight was a the headliner of the WWWF’s Showdown at Shea and was held in conjunction with the Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki bout in Boduokan Hall in Tokyo, Japan. Both matches were marketed under the banner, “War of the Worlds” and were shown on closed circuit television. Following the Wepner fight, the fans at Shea Stadium were able to watch the Ali/Inoki bout on a three-sided video screen that was placed on the field. The fight was scheduled for three ten minute rounds, but lasted just one minute and seventeen seconds. There was some controversy on whether or not it was a work or a shoot, and honestly may have been a combination of both. The fight actually takes on the same flow of the Thunder Lips/Rocky fight from Rocky III, but Wepner makes it back into the ring and is ultimately counted out. Also on the show at Shea Stadium Bruno Sammartino defeated Stan Hansen, Ivan Putski defeated Ernie Ladd and Chief Jay Strongbow and Indian Billy White Wolf defeated The Executioners.
Offered here is an original, extremely rare, on site poster covering all these matches at Shea Stadium.
FULL DESCRIPTION: This is an original, cardboard, on site poster which names the contestants and pictures Andre The Giant, Chuck Wepner, Muhammad Ali, Antonio Inoki, Bruno Sammartino and Stan Hansen. Bold color and print. Bold, clear images. Mild center crease. Tack holes on perimeter with small holes at right and left edges. Clean front and back. Mild edge and corner wear. 14 1/2" x 23."
