FRAZIER, JOE-OSCAR BONAVENA & SONNY LISTON-AMOS LINCOLN CLOSED CIRCUIT POSTER (1968)

On December 10, 1968 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia world heavyweight champion Joe Frazier defended his title against Oscar Bonavena. Frazier won a 15 round unanimous decision. Right from the opening bell neither man budged, but it was the champion's better work that earned him the decision while Bonavena (207) tended to throw single shots. Although there were no knockdowns it was a vicious battle, made worse by the fact that Bonavena was unable to keep his punches up, Frazier (203) being forced to complain on several occasions. After the referee deducted a point from the Argentinian in the eighth it failed to make the slightest difference, Bonavena continuing to punch wildly despite the referee warning him again and again. All the better blows came from Frazier, especially in the fourth when he rocked the tough Bonavena with several terrific left hooks that would have seen off most opponents. At the end of the contest both of Bonavena's eyes were almost closed. Also being shown on this show was the Sonny Liston 2nd round stoppage of Amos "Big Train" Lincoln. "The manager of losing fighter Amos (Big Train) Lincoln was embittered Tuesday night, after Lincoln was kayoed at 2:46 of the 2nd round by former heavyweight champion Sonny Liston. He was mad at referee Benny Goldstein who kept the fight going after Lincoln's second had thrown a towel into the ring, a symbol of surrender. Liston hurt Lincoln with a left hook and then knocked him onto the canvas with a three-punch combination midway through the 2nd round. Lincoln rose dazedly and his handlers threw in the towel. But Goldstein chose to ignore the towel, and Liston finished Lincoln quickly with a hard left hook that left Lincoln slumped over the lower ropes for three minutes. Doctors and seconds finally revived him and he left the ring under his own power." -United Press International. Offered here is an original, vlosed circuit poster for this event.
This is an original, cardboard, closed circuit poster which pictures Frazier, Bonavena, Liston and Lincoln. Bold color and print. Bold, clear images. No center crease. No tack holes. Clean front and back. Minor edge wear. 18" x 24."