LOUIS, JOE-JOHN HENRY LEWIS WIRE PHOTO (1938-CONTRACT SIGNING)

On January 25, 1939 at Madison Square Garden in New York heavyweight champion Joe Louis defended his title for the fifth time. Fresh off his victory ober Max Schmeling in June, 1938 Louis enetered the ring with peak confidence. His opponent was the current light heavyweight champion John Henry Lewis. Louis weighed in at 200 3/4 lbs. to Lewis at 180 3/4lbs. The bigger and more powerful Louis made short work of it attacking his smaller foe from the outset. Louis put Lewis down three times before knocking him out in the very first round. Offered here is an original wire photo dated November 3, 1938 showing the two in New York with Mike Jacobs of Madison Square Garden at the contract signing.
This is an original ACME NEWSPICTURES wire photo with their stamp and caption on back. Bold, clear image. Clean front and back. Not creased or torn. 7" x 9."