DOYLE, JIMMY SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH

HISTORY: Jimmy Doyle (born August 1, 1924; died June 25, 1947) was an American welterweight boxer. Doyle made his debut as a professional boxer in 1941 and in 1946 lost to Artie Levine by 9th round TKO. After the bout, Doyle went to the hospital, suffering from a severe head injury. Although Doyle was leading, Referee Jackie Davis stopped the bout after Doyle went down for the third time in the 9th round. In 1947, Doyle challenged Sugar Ray Robinson for the World Welterweight Title. Robinson had the advantage in every round except the sixth, when he was staggered twice and hurt. A single left hook from Robinson ended the fight. "That punch knocked Jimmy rigid.... With heels resting against the canvas as if hinged, Doyle's body went down. It struck the floor with a thud, like a rigid mass falling. His head crashed against the padded canvas, and as the referee started the count. Doyle raised his head and rested on his elbows.... The referee counted to ten. Doyle was out." Doyle was taken to St. Vincent's Charity Hospital immediatedly after the bout, and failed to regain consciousness and died a few hours later. Jimmy Doyle was fighting in Cleveland, after suffering some heavy knockouts in California. The state's boxing commission would not sanction him to fight again. After his death, criminal charges were threatened against Robinson in Cleveland, up to and including manslaughter. Though, none actually materialized. Robinson biographer Wil Haygood stated during a September 25th, 2010 book festival appearance that Doyle was pushing himself to fight to " buy his mother a house, and after Doyle's death in 1947, Robinson gave the earnings of his next four fights to Doyle's mother, so she could buy that house." Offered here is a very scarce signed promotional photograph of Jimmy Doyle.

FULL DESCRIPTION: This is an original promotional photograph of Jimmy Doyle. Boldly signed in blue ink in the upper right corner, "Best regards From Jimmy Doyle. Bold, clear image. Clean front and back. Minor edge and surface wear. 5" x 8 1/8." Rare signed photo, the first we have had.