GANS, JOE-BATTLING NELSON LARGE FORMAT PHOTO (1906)

The Joe Gans-Battling Nelson fight in Goldfield, Nevada on September 3, 1906 rates as one of the greatest lightweight championship bouts ever contested. For 42 hard fought rounds the two lightweights engaged in a titanic struggle, which is the longest gloved championship match recorded under Marquis of Queensbury rules. The San Francisco Chronicle reported on Sep 4, "Dancing lightly in and away, Gans hit Nelson when and where he pleased" and described Gans as "a marvel of speed and science." Gans scored two knockdowns and had his opponent out on his feet on two other occasions when the granite chinned Nelson was saved by the bell. In today’s fight game the fight would have been stopped long before the 42nd round when Bat purposely fouled out. Nelson absorbed a frightful beating, his left eye was closed and he was bleeding from his ears, mouth, and nose, as well as cuts on his face. Frankie Neil, a former bantamweight champion and a ringside eyewitness, said, “It looks as though Nelson, who was a very badly beaten man, took an easy way to quit." (Chronicle Sep 4, 1906). Presented here is an original, first generation, large format, antique photo depicting the two fighters squaring off as their handlers look on before the fight. This is a Dana photograph.
This is an original, first generation, large format photo. Caption and written information at bottom. Bolkd, clear image. Clean. Some tape on back which has no effect on the photo. Small clip in upper right corner. 4 small closed tears at top border with no paper loss. 9 3/4" x 13." Exceedingly rare, especially in this size. A pristine and important early photo from one of boxing's most historic events.