LASKY, ART & MAURICE LASKY SIGNED PROMOTIONAL PHOTO (1932)

Arthur Lakofsky (November 16, 1909 – April 2, 1980), also known as Art Lasky, was a heavyweight professional boxer from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Lasky made his professional debut with a knockout of Sam Baker in May 1930. He faced his first notable opponent, Jimmy Gibbons of Saint Paul, on January 8, 1931, knocking the 28-0-2 Gibbons unconscious in the second round. Gibbons was down twice in the second from Lasky's left hooks. The round ended when Lasky' blows knocked Gibbons to the mat. He was completely out when the referee reached the count of six, and Gibbons's manager threw in the towel making the victory a technical knockout. Lasky remained undefeated until his 16th bout, a newspaper decision loss to Dick Daniels, also of Minneapolis. He bounced back, however, and by September 1932 was sporting a 14-1 record when he faced Primo Carnera, one of his first rated opponents, in Saint Paul. Future World Heavyweight Champion Primo Carnera defeated Lasky in a ten-round newspaper decision in St. Paul on September 1, 1932. On May 12, 1933, Charley Retzlaff scored a six-round technical knockout against Lasky in their first State Heavyweight Championship bout at the Auditorium in St. Paul. Retzlaff's right cross and jabs landed too frequently against his opponent. A blow by Retzlaff in the second round first opened a cut on Lasky's right eye, greatly hindering his chances in the remaining rounds. A few of Retzlaff's blows again targeted the injured eye in the fifth and sixth rounds. At the end of the sixth, with Lasky staggering and unable to defend himself, the referee called the fight ending the bout. Lasky was hospitalized after the fight for several injuries, but primarily to close a severe cut above his right eye which was affecting his vision. Loss of vision would be the deciding factor in ending his career in 1939. On June 12, 1934, Lasky had his first bout with Jewish heavyweight Chicagoan King Levinsky before 9000 roaring fans at Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, where Levinsky fell in 10 rounds by a unanimous decision. Levinsky, who was not known for boxing ringcraft, was groggy in the eighth and again in the tenth from the superior speed and technique of Lasky, who won decisively by the tenth round. The referee gave seven rounds to Lasky, with only two to Levinsky. The bout was an important win against a rated heavyweight opponent. In late 1934, Lasky began a losing streak that included losses to heavyweight contenders Jim Braddock and Charley Retzlaff as well as a draw with fellow Jewish heavyweight contender King Levinsky. On June 30, 1936, he met Johnny Paycheck at Olympic Stadium in Los Angeles. Though Lasky won the fight 1:40 into the fourth round by technical knockout, he suffered a detached retina which hastened his retirement from boxing and caused blindness in his right eye. After retirement from boxing in 1939, Lasky appeared in several movies, often as a boxer or a boxing adviser. According to his son Aron, twenty years after his boxing career ended in 1970, Lasky's mental acuity and control of his personal finances began to unravel. He died in San Bernardino, California on April 2, 1980 in a nursing home. Offered here is an original, first generation, circa 1930's, promotional photo of Art Lasky as he looked at the early part of his career. Also pictures his brother and manager Maurice Lasky. Signed and inscribed by both Art and Maurice Lasky.
This is an original, first generation, promotional photograph. Boldly signed ink, "Good Luck To Doc Allen, Wife & Daughter Art Lasky" and "With best wishes Doc Allen and family real friends From Maurice Lasky 3/14/32." Bold, clear image. One border spot on lower border, other wise clean front and back. Not creased or torn. Minor corner wear. 8" x 10."