BELLOISE, STEVE INK SIGNED ALBUM PAGE

Steve Belloise, born in New York City on December 16th, 1918 started his professional fistic career on August 24th, 1938, with a sensational 4 round knockout over Vince Califano. He had 8 fights his first year, winning 6. He went thru the next 2 years undefeated beating the likes of Sammy Lufhspring, Ceferino Garcia, Paul Griffith, Art Gonzales and Eddie Dunne to name a few. During this streak he knocked out fellows like joe Comito, Ceasar Ferro, Art Gonzales, Rego Dell, Vic Dellicurti, Wicky Harkins, Marty Marino, Ralph Vona, Ernie Copeland, Lou Roig, Vinnie Vines and Eddie Dunne. His winning streak ended on November 1, 1940 when he lost a 15 round decision to Ken Overlin while trying to gain the middleweight title. After only 33 bouts Belloise fought for the world title. In this day and age with the shortage of boxers and clubs, it is a great possibility, but Steve accomplished this when boxing was at its peak. He tried in December of the same year in a return bout, but was unsuccessful in lifting Overlln’s crown. The second bout was almost an exact replica of the first, with Overlin again hitting the canvas in the sixth stanza. Steve lost both bouts by split decisions, with the referee voting in favor of Belloise in the two bouts. Steve became interested in boxing thru his brother Mike, who later became the world’s featherweight king. Belloise rated Ken Overlin as the Best Boxer he had ever faced, and Tami Mauriello as the “Best Puncher.” In Steve’s bout against Ray Robinson he did – ‘Freeze’ as so many other opponents of Ray’s did. He did not fear Ray, in fact Robinson did not have to chase Belloise, Steve came to him. It was fairly even battle. Robinson caught Steve with a left hook in the 7th round and Belloise took a 5 count. The corner consultants refused to allow Steve to come out for the 8th. His two fights against Georgie Abrams were classics. In the first battle Abrams outpointed Steve in 10 rounds. In a return bout a year later BeIIoise stopped his in 5 heats. Among his other knockout victims were Irwin Kaplan, jay Macedon, Andrea Jessurun, Jose Cabailero, Horace Jones, Joey Lynch, Milo Theodorescu, Howard Bennett, Johnny Brown, Billy Johnson, Johnny Smith, Bobby Brown, Baudelio Valencia, Paul Altman, Johnny Jones, Coley Welch, Billy Carrigan, Coolidge Miller, Bobby Berger, Willis Scott, Indian Gomez, Mel Hawkins, Anton Christoforidis, AI Hostak, Izzy Jannazzo, Pedro Cobe, Johnny Walker, Billy Cooper, Mike Birskovick, Billy Arnold, Meyer Siegel, Mickey Doyle, Joe Reddick, J.C. Wilkins, Bobby James, Henry Chemel, Leon Gabriel, J.T. Ross, Jean Stock, Cleve Bailey, Anton Raadik and Red Arrow. In his career that spanned 12 years and 110 pro bouts, with 94 wins of which 58 where by knockout route and only 13 losses you have to put Steve Belloise in the “Superior Fighter” class. Steve rates Robert Villemain of France as his toughest opponent. Belloise hit Villemain with every punch in the book, giving him 16 stitches and copping a unanimous 10 round decision. After copping an easy 10 round decision form Phil Furr in December of 1941, Steve entered Uncle Sam’s Navy and was in World War 2 as well as the Korean War. He returned to the ring in 1943. After 27 years Steve was still in the service, as a Reserve of the 378 Division at Fort Schuyler where he was a Chief Petty Officer and Drill Instructor. Offered here is an original album page which has been signed and inscribed by Steve Belloise. From the collection of former Boxing Illustrated writer Ralph Pollack who had the album page signed by Steve Belloise in the mid 1940's at Stillman's Gym in New York City.
his is an original paper album page. Bold ink signature, "To My Pal Ralph Sincerely Steve Belloise 10/27/45." Clean with only light toning from aging. Not creased or torn. Edge wear not affecting signature. 4 3/8" x 5 1/4."