JONES, GORILLA PROMOTIONAL POSTER (1932)

HISTORY: William Landon Jones (1906–1982) known as "Gorilla" Jones, was an American boxer who held the NBA Middleweight Boxing Championship of the World. Although he was nicknamed "Gorilla" for his exceptional reach, Jones is to be distinguished from the original "Gorilla Jones", who campaigned from 1913 to 1924 and held the World Colored Welterweight title. Jones was never knocked out although he himself won by 52 knockouts out of 101 wins over 141 total fights. He was posthumously inducted into World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1994 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2009. Jones turned professional in 1923 with Stephen "Suey" Welch as manager and trained with Joe Stanley.[1] He won the vacant National Boxing Association World Middleweight Title with a win over Oddone Piazza in 1925. He lost the belt later that year to Frenchman Marcel Thil through disqualification. In 1937 he took on Freddie Steele, the National Boxing Association World Middleweight and NYSAC World Middleweight Title holder, but lost to a decision. His last win was two years later in 1939, and he lost his last fight in 1940, when he retired from boxing. Offered here is an original promotional poster of Gorilla Jones which dates to 1932 when Jones was world middleweight champion.

FULL DESCRIPTION: This is an original, paper, promotional poster which pictures Gorilla Jones. Professionally linen backed. Original fold lines are visible, but faint. Bold color and print. Bold, clear image. Minor restoration on edges. Clean. 19" x 25."