joe louis v johnny davis...in a 4-rounder for the world heavyweight title.

It was set up as an exhibition, but under NSAC rules champion were required to put their title on the line every time they fought in NY. At least that's the way I understood it.

 

And, per NYSAC requirements, Jack Dempsey could NOT knock out Jimmy Darcy in their four rounder 22 years earlier, ALSO in Buffalo. Double the puzzle, double the fun.

 

Here is what the New York Times reported prior to the bout

New York Times, November 11, 1944

"Sergeant Joe Louis, World Heavyweight Champion on furlough from the army after overseas service, yesterday received permission from the State Athletic Commission to engage in an exhibition bout as part of his current tour. The exhibition will be against Johnny Davis, Brooklynite, in Buffalo on Tuesday night."

This article clearly states it is an exhibition twice. I checked boxrec and they give no source for their title on the line claim. It is interesting they list judges. Would Louis have risked losing his title on a 4 round decision?

The Ring Record Book did not list this as a defense, and whatever one thinks of Nat Fleischer, he was around at the time. It is hard to believe he wouldn't have noticed a title defense.

I just think boxrec is full of it.

If someone really wants to check this, I wouldn't bother with this newspaper or that newspaper.

The phone number for the NY State Athletic Commission is 212-417-5700

Perhaps some one can check if they have records of this decision.

Unless direct records of the NYSAC are found, I would assume this was an exhibition.

**I am sorry. I hadn't the article that was posted. It is beyond bizarre that an article on December 2 has to explain that there was a fight with the championship on the line several weeks earlier. I must say, it has a certain "smell" of an excuse for Louis' handlers explaining why he brutally ko'd Davis.

***One question I would like an answer to. I thought the NYSAC had three members and it would be the majority vote that mattered.

I repeat that it might be good for someone in NY to check with the NYSAC or the state records and see what the ruling really was.

 

Just stepping out of arguing the facts for a post, I think it just distorts the records to consider something like this a defense even if some old fool like General Phelan makes a political ruling. It is only politics which allows this totally unqualified challenger to be considered legitimate. Louis had seventeen exhibitions (at least) between the Mauriello and first Walcott defenses. Why shouldn't these be considered defenses under the same criteria? The fighters were often much better.

Ezzard Charles had eight exhibitions in 1949 and 1950. Why aren't these considered defenses?

I think common sense should rule, not General Phelan.