LOUIS, JOE-TAMI MAURIELLO WIRE PHOTO (1946-POSTFIGHT)

When the great Joe Louis fought challenger Tami Maurielli on September 18, 1946 he had already been heavyweight champion of the world for over nine years and was in the twilight of his brilliant career. It has been generally acknowledged by boxing historians that Louis was not the same fighter after World War II and that his skills had diminished considerably. Age and the one hundred exhibition fights he had while entertaining the troops during the war had taken its toll. Joe’s record was fifty seven wins with one loss when he entered the ring against the tough Mauriello. 38,494 boxing fans were in attendance at Yankee Stadium to witness what almost everyone assumed would be another easy knockout by the famed “Brown Bomber”. Mauriello was Frank Sinatra’s favorite fighter and it was rumored that Frank used his influence to help Tami get the title shot against Louis. Mauriello, who was coming off eleven straight knockouts, had other ideas. He really thought he had a good chance at pulling off a huge upset. Tami was not the least bit in awe of Louis as so many of his previous opponents had been. Louis weighed in at 211 ¼ pounds while Mauriello came in at 198 ½ pounds. Long time respected referee Arthur Donavon would officiate the fight. Mauriello’s game plan was not to hold back against Louis, but to surprise him by going immediately on the attack. Tami was known for a tremendous overhand right hand and was not shy about letting his hands go early. Mauriello closed out his career with sixty knockouts in eighty wins and had eleven first round knockouts. When the bell sounded for the first round Maureillo immediately went to center ring looking for an opening to land his vaunted lightning quick right hand. He did not disappoint. Within seconds he made Louis a believer by staggering him with an overhand right. Louis stumbled into the ropes. Tami quickly moved in looking to finish off Louis. Joe turned to meet Mauriello and clinched briefly. At that point a firefight ensued with both fighters throwing bombs. The film footage of what happened next would demonstrate once again the greatness of Joe Louis. With both fighters trading punches Joe landed a lightning quick left hook to the jaw of Mauriello. The punch was delivered with such forced that still photographs show that both of Tami’s feet left the canvas. Maurello went down but showed he had a great deal of heart in getting back up. Louis, always a great finisher pursued Mauriello around the ring, landing punishing shots to the body and head. Finally Tami, after being barraged by a withering display of Joe’s firepower, sank to the canvas and was counted out at 2:09 of the first round. Years later Louis would say that his fight against Tami Mauriello was his last great fight. He got it all together for that one night. All his speed and power was there. It was “Bomber” Joe’s fifth first round knockout as heavyweight champion, which set a record. Offered here is an original wire photo which depicts the two fighters shaking hands after the bout.
This is an original wire photo, labeled in pencil on the back. Bold, clear image. Clean front and back. Mild crease in upper right corner. Minor edge wear. 8" x 10."