ROBINSON, SUGAR RAY-ARTIE LEVINE OFFICIAL PROGRAM (1946)

On November 6, 1946 at the Arena in Cleveland, Ohio future world welterweight champion Sugar Ray Robinson took on Artie Levine in the main event. Robinson prevailed knocking out Levine in the 10th round. Robinson would win the welterweight crown in his very next fight. The attendance was 12,102. Robinson received a purse of $12,500. "Sugar..was almost kayoed in the fourth round. A left hook, followed by a right cross, both to the chin, put (him) down and almost out...Sugar rose unsteadily and called upon all his ring skill and stamina to last out the round...Sugar had several other close calls during the course of the evening. Artie's left hooks and resounding right crosses occasionally found their marks and with telling effect. Robinson's class and body punching were taking their toll from the heavier Levine as the bout progressed. Sugar started the tenth with knockout intent. With the round about two minutes gone, Sugar paralyzed Artie with a right to the solar plexus. Then Sugar became a 'killer,' throwing punches with reckless abandon to both head and body with the result that Artie was beaten to the floor" (The Ring, January 1947, page 34). Offered here is a very scarce original, official program for this event.
This is an original, official program consisting of ten pages with profiles of the fighters and a scorecard. Not scored. Tight binding. Mild center crease. Generally clean. 6 1/8" x 9 1/4."