GALINDEZ, VICTOR-RICHIE KATES OFFICIAL PROGRAM (1976)

HISTORY: On May 22,1976 Victor Galindez met Richie Kates for the Light Heavyweight Title. Galindez would win the bout by KO in the 15th round in defense of his title. 

Galindez, ahead on points, stops Kates with one second to go in the final round "WBA light heavyweight champion Victor Galindez retained his title in Johannesburg via a 2:59 of the 15th round kayo over Richie Kates. In a bout described by ringsiders as one of the most savage ever seen in South Africa, Galindez overcame the handicap of a gaping wound over his right eye (the wound, which gushed so profusely Galindez resorted to wiping it on referee Stan Christodolu's white shirt as the fight went on, later requiring seven stitches) to batter Kates with a frenzied array of punches, to have the Bridgeton, NJ boxer teetering in almost every round, to floor him in the 7th and, with 11 seconds remaining in the fight, to zero in with two paralyzing left hooks that nailed Kates on the bloody canvas for the full count, which was completed one second before the final bell rang." -International Boxing, October, 1976 issue-After a clash of heads in the 3rd round, referee Stanley Christodolu stopped the action in order to have a ringside doctor look at Galindez' wound. However, the crowd of over 35,000 mistakenly thought the bout was stopped in Kates' favor and it took almost 10 minutes to clear the ring of spectators, reporters and photographers in order to resume the fight. Offered here is an original, official program for this event. 

FULL DESCRIPTION: This program measures 8 1/4 inches by 12 inches. The program contains 8 pages and is not scored. The program has a fold down the middle. General handling wear, with no tears. The spine is tight. Illustrated cover.