SOOSE, BILLY-KEN OVERLIN OFFICIAL PROGRAM (1941)

HISTORY: On May 9, 1941 at Madison Square Garden in New York world middleweight champion Ken Overlin defended his title against Billy Soose. Soose won a unanimous 15 round decision and the title. Although the decision was unanimous, "it was a mystifying one, mysteriously arrived at, and so unexpected that it left the onlookers stunned for several minutes. For 11 of the 15 sessions Overlin held an edge over his rival and in several the margin was so great he may as well have been in the ring by himself so little was the damage he suffered at the hands of his foeman. Ken knew all the tricks, and he brought them into play. At times he had Soose looking more puzzled than a retarded high school freshman writing a thesis on the quantum theory... In Soose's favor it must be said he forced the going... In the matter of holding, too, Overlin was often at fault, and it might have been this inclination to cling to his rival in the hope of weathering stormy passages that influenced the arbiters in their decision." New York Times. Offered here is an original, official program for this event.

FULL DESCISION: This is an original, official program consisting of 48 pages plus 4 page insert with profiles and photos of the fighters. Not scored. Tight binding. Not creased or torn. Minor edge wear. 8 1/2" x 11."