GRAZIANO, ROCKY-TONY ZALE WIRE PHOTO (1947-PRE FIGHT MEDICALS)

On July 16, 1947 at Chicago Stadium world middleweight champion Tony Zale fought Rocky Graziano for the second time. Zale won the first meeting, but this time Graziano was the victor stopping Zale in the 6th round to win the title. On February 7, 1947, the NYSAC revoked Graziano's boxing license and threatened to bar him for life for his failure to report two $100,000 bribe offers. The NBA, which controlled boxing virtually everywhere in the U.S. outside of New York, did not recognize NYSAC's decision. This fight was named 1947 Fight of the Year by Ring Magazine. Graziano was floored for a no-count in the third round. In the sixth round, Zale took a barrage of over thirty punches while on the ropes, and the referee stopped the fight. Offered here is an original wire photo of the two fighters receiving their pre fight medical exam on the day of the fight.
This is an original Wide World Photos wire photo with their stamp and caption on the back. Bold, clear image. Clean front and back. Minor crease in lower left corner. Minor edge wear. 7" x 9."