Naval Battle

For the first time in U.S. ring history, a champion risked his title for charity last week. Since he knocked out Heavyweight Buddy Baer in exactly 2 min. 56 sec., Joe Louis kept his title, but his purse (40% of the gate) went to the New York Auxiliary of the Navy Relief Society. That night, Joe was notified that he had been drafted into the U.S. Army.

Just 21 years ago, Anne Morgan promoted a bout between Lightweights Benny Leonard and Richie Mitchell for the benefit of devastated France. The title was not at stake, but the proceeds were $75,000. Not since then has Madison Square Garden been packed with so swank a prizefight crowd as packed it last week. Ringside seats were $30 each.

Even the dumbest debutante knew that Buddy Baer had knocked Louis out of the ring in their first match last spring; that he was five inches taller, 43 pounds heavier, and had ten inches more reach than Louis. Slow, powerful giants like Baer are known to the ring as dreadnoughts. But Joe beat the dreadnought to the punch. He floored him twice in the first two minutes of the first round. The third time was enough.

It was Joe's 20th defense of his title, his 56th victory in 57 starts.

The Navy's total take from the match was $89,000, of which Joe contributed about $60,000 and Baer about $700 (2 1/2% of his share of the gate). The rest came from Promoter Mike Jacobs. The donation from the bout thus exceeded the Leonard-Mitchell record. Joe now wants to fight another charity bout--this time for the benefit of the U.S. Army.

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