HARRIS, GYPSEY JOE WIRE PHOTO (1968)

Gypsy Joe Harris was a welterweight contender whose boxing career ended with the discovery that he had concealed blindness in one eye. Harris was born in Camden, N.J., and was raised in North Philadelphia. A street fight blinded his right eye when he was 11, but he pursued a boxing career anyway and won 24 of 25 fights. He lost his only fight on Aug. 6, 1968, in a decision to Emile Griffith, a former welterweight champion. A routine physical examination two months later by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission showed that Mr. Harris was blind in his right eye, and his boxing license was revoked. Harris passed away in 1990 at the age of 44 from heart failure. Offered here is an original wire photo of Gypsey Joe Harris dated October 11, 1968. It depicts a dejected Harris after learning his license was permanently revked due to blindness in one eye.
This is an original United press International wire photo with their stamp and caption on the back. Bold, clear image. Clean front and back. No tears. Mild crease in upper right corner. Several small tack holes at top and borders. 7" x 9."