APOSTOLI, FRED-MARCEL THIL ORIGINAL WIRE PHOTO (1937-WEIGH IN)

On SEptember 23, 1937 at the Polo Grounds in New York middleweights Fred Apostoli and Marcel Thil battled in one of the featured fights on the card. Apostoli stopped Thil in the 10th round. One of four title bouts on Promoter Mike Jacobs's "Carnival of Champions" fight card: including Sixto Escobar-Harry Jeffra for the Bantamweight Title, Lou Ambers-Pedro Montanez for the Lightweight Title, and Ceferino Garcia-Barney Ross for the Welterweight Title. Under compulsion of the NYSAC, both boxers had to sign an agreement stipulating that no title was at stake, as the Commission recognized Freddie Steele as champion. A severe cut over Thil's right caused the stoppage. Thil led on the scorecards at the time of the stoppage. This was Thil's final career bout. -"Fred Apostoli, San Francisco, stopped Marcel Thil of France in the 10th round of a 15 round match Thursday night on the Carnival of Champions card. Referee Arthur Donovan halted the bout and awarded Apostoli the TKO verdict because of Thil's badly gashed right eye. Apostoli came from behind with a slashing attack to penetrate the veteran's crafty defense and punish him so badly he was in no shape to continue. The 9th round was the turning point as Apostoli's left hook gashed a cut over Thil's right eye and also brought blood pouring from the Frenchman's nose. Thil was permitted to continue after an examination between rounds by Dr. William H. Walker, official physician of the NYSAC. Apostoli quickly started the blood streaming and the referee intervened after only 44 seconds of the 10th round elapsed. A crowd estimated at 40,000 by promoter Mike Jacobs saw Apostoli turn the tide quickly after being outboxed and outpunched during most of the early rounds." -Associated Press. Offered here is an original wire photo depicting the two fighters squaring off at the weigh in.
This is an original wire photo. No caption. Labeled on back. Bold, clear image. Clean. Small crease at top left corner. 6 1/2" x 8."