BLACKBURN, JACK-HENRY HAUBER ORIGINAL ON SITE POSTER (1917)

Jack Blackburn, a professional boxer himself, is perhaps best-known as the trainer of long-time World Heavyweight Champion Joe Louis. He had fought some of the best fighters of his era, including Joe Gans, Sam Langford and Harry Greb. He regularly fought bigger men, even heavyweights. He claimed to have had 385 fights. In a time when boxing was illegal in numerous states, many of his fights went unrecorded. Charley Rose ranked Blackburn as the third greatest lightweight of all-time. In 1909, Blackburn was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to ten to fifteen years in prison. While in prison, Blackburn gave boxing lessons to the warden and his children. He was released on good behavior after four years and eight months. He returned to boxing upon his release. Blackburn initially expressed skepticism about the potential of Joe Louis, believing that a black heavyweight would have few opportunities. But Blackburn agreed to train Louis nonetheless. He also trained George Godfrey, Sammy Mandell, Bud Taylor, and Jersey Joe Walcott He also trained Sailor Friedman for his welterweight title fight against Mickey Walker in 1925. He helped train Young Hockbones and Kid Mazza. Blackburn was referred to as "Old Hockbones" in an Arizona Republic newspaper article. On February 15, 1917 at the Broadway Athletic Club in Philadelphia Jack Blackburn fought Henry Hauber in the main event. Black burn won a 6 round decision. This was a newspaper decision in favor of Blackburn from the Philadelphia Public Ledger (Paul Zabala) and the Philadelphia Record. Offered here is an extremely rare original, on site poster for this event.
This is an original, paper, on site poster which pictures Jack Blackburn in full fight pose. Professionally linen backed. Clipped corner at lower right. Bold, clear image. Bold color and print. Minor restoration at corners. Minor surface wear. 10 3/8" x 17 3/8."