JEBY, BEN SIGNED PROMOTIONAL PHOTO

Ben Jeby (Morris Benjamin Jebaltowsky; born December 27, 1909, in New York City; died October 5, 1985) was an American boxer. Jeby was the world middleweight champion in 1933. After a successul amateur career, Jeby turned professional in 1927, and moved up the ranks in the middleweight division. In September 1930, he defeated former world welterweight champ Joe Dundee in an 8-round decision. Although Jeby lost to Vince Dundee (Joe's brother) on June 4, 1931, he was a top contender for the middleweight crown when the title was vacated by Mickey Walker only 15 days later. The division soon fragmented as the NBA (National Boxing Association) recognized Gorilla Jones as the champion, and the IBU (International Boxing Union) recognized Frenchman Marcel Thil. Jeby staked his claim to the title by winning all but one of his fights in 1932, and the following year he got a shot at the title. The New York Commission, possibly the most powerful in the 1930s, did not recognize either Jones or Thil as champion. After a year-and-a-half with a vacant championship, the New York Commission recognized Jeby as world champion after he knocked out Frank Battaglia in the 12th-round on January 13, 1933.[1] Two months later, Jeby fought Vince Dundee in a rematch, this time for the title, and retained the belt with a 15-round draw (the only middleweight champion to ever retain his title with such a verdict). Jeby successfully defended his title (and revenged an earlier defeat) in July against top contender Young Terry, winning a 15-round decision. A month after beating Terry, Jeby faced Lou Brouillard for both the New York and NBA versions of the title; the NBA title was considered vacant because it refused to recognize Marcel Thil, who had defeated Gorilla Jones in June 1932, as champion. Although the IBU still recognized Thil as champion, the American boxing world considered the Jeby-Brouillard bout for the undisputed world title. On August 9, 1933, Jeby's reign as world champ came to an end when he was knocked out in the 7th round by Brouillard.Presented here is a signed and inscribed photo of Ben Jeby.
This signed and inscribed photo of Jeby measures 8 inches by 10 inches. The photo shows just minor edge and corner wear with mild creases in upper corners. Clean. Bold image. The signature is in ink and bold.