Spring Premier Auction 2016

Vintage photograph featuring the signing of the contract for the World Heavyweight Championship Fight between Champion Jack Johnson and challenger and former retired champion Jim Jeffries, to be held in Reno, Nevada on July 4, 1910. All the principles involved with the fight are pictured. The day after Christmas in 1908 Johnson had taken the heavyweight title by giving Tommy Burns one of the most one sided beatings ever witnessed in a title fight, to become the first African-American Champ. Thus began the public outcry for a "Great White Hope" to defeat Johnson and retake the title. In 1909 Johnson knocked out Stanley Ketchel and now would get his chance to face the former undefeated champ in the ring. Jeffries, now an alfalfa farmer, has bloated up to almost 300 pounds since his retirement 6 years earlier. By the time of the fight he had lost over 70 pounds. He managed to stay with the better conditioned Johnson for the first few rounds. Johnson started to gain the edge in the 6th and continued to build up momentum in the over 100 degree heat. Jeffries, known for his legendary ability to absorb punishment, managed to stay with him. In the 14th, Johnson knocked Jeffries to the canvas 3 times, the first time the former champ had been knocked down in his career. Finally Jeffries' camp threw in the towel and Johnson retained his World Championship title. 11" by 14" photo mounted to black thick cardboard backing bringing the size to 11 1/2" by 16". At the lower right corner on the photo is printed "COPYRIGHT 1909. FRED HEMMENT N.Y.". Photo itself does has some light soiling. Upper right corner missing tip. Wear to other corners. Back shows evidence of being taped in frame at one time. Piece does have some warping. Nice memento from one of the most historic fights in boxing history!