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    Boxing: "The Sweet Science"

    Michigan was the home of numerous big-time fighters as well as host to several championship bouts. There are interesting facets of boxing-"the sweet science"-in Michigan's history, including the two following examples.

     

    Joe Louis talkes to young fans about his other passion--golf.Joe Louis came out of retirement in 1951 to fight Rocky Marciano. Although he lost the fight, Louis remained in the spotlight. Plagued by financial troubles, he was lured to the less credible sport of professional wrestling and returned once again to the ring.

     

    In the photograph, Joe Louis talks about another favorite sport-golf-with some of his young fans


     

    Joe Louis wresting card. Wrestlers and boxers were required to register with the State Board of Athletics.  This is Louis's wrestling card.


     

    Bright red Sugar Ray Robinson-Chuck Taylor ticketThis is a ticket to the Sugar Ray Robinson-Chuck Taylor welterweight championship match at the Olympia Boxing Club in Detroit, December 19, 1947.


    This telegram from Taylor's manager, Jack Laken, to John Hettche, Chairman of the Michigan Boxing Commission, claims the title for Taylor because of alleged illegal punches by Robinson.


     

    Telegram from Chuck Taylor's manager to the Michigan Boxing Commission Chairman.

    -Mark Harvey, State Archivist
    E-mail:harveym@michigan.gov


     

    Click Archives of Michigan to visit the Archives of Michigan home page.

    Click Image of the Month Archives for other archived image pages.

    Archives of Michigan
    Michigan Library and Historical Center
    702 W. Kalamazoo Street
    Lansing, MI 48913
    Phone: (517) 373-1408
    E-mail: garrettr1@michigan.gov

    Updated 05/18/2006.


    Michigan Historical Center
    Use and Reproduction Information [PDF]
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