This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/11/2013
Extremely rare program from the April 5, 1915 World Heavyweight Championship Fight between Champion Jack Johnson and Challenger Jess Willard, held in Havana Cuba. Front cover features both fighters dressing in formal attire. Inside are full page black and white photos of each fighter as well as photos of all the promoters and officials involved in the fight. The first half of the program is written entirely in Spanish with the second half only in English. Both relate in great detail how this momentous World Championship Fight came into being. Complete records for all the contests of each boxer are provided. Period ads are present throughout, some in English, some in Spanish, and some in both languages. The center page has room to score all of the 45 scheduled rounds. The much anticipated bout lived up to expectations as the two men exchanged blows for 25 rounds at Havana's Oriental Park Racetrack before Willard finally knocked out the Champ in the 26th round to take the World Heavyweight crown. He would hold it for 4 years before losing the title to Jack Dempsey in what is considered by experts to be one of the most brutal beatings in the history of boxing. Large 9 1/2" by 12" program itself still in very nice shape. Covers are clean and complete. One small 1/2" tear at right center edge that goes from front to back. It has been folded vertically in 3 places, like someone had it in his pocket at the fight. One further interesting note. Written at the bottom of the page containing a photograph of the 4 promoters of the fight standing in front of a building with windows is written in ink "X indicates where body was found. Mace". The "X" mentioned is on the window above Mr. Fred Mace, listed as "Motion Picture Expert". Awesome and extremely rare program, the first we have ever seen!