Joe Louis vs. Jack Roper

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Challenger rankings
Org. Pos. As of Published
1+ Mth. Old
NBA NR 19.12.1938 19.12.1938
Ring NR 15.12.1938 26.12.1938
2+ Mth. Old
NBA NR 13.09.1938 13.09.1938
Ring N/A N/A N/A
3+ Mth. Old
NBA NR 13.09.1938 13.09.1938
Ring N/A N/A N/A

Joe Louis 201 lbs beat Jack Roper 205 lbs by KO at 2:20 in round 1 of 10

  • Date: 1939-04-17
  • Location: Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California, USA
  • Referee: George Blake

Notes

Joe Louis (left) vs. Jack Roper

Timeline

  • Contract signed by both parties on February 7.[1][2]
  • The news caught boxing journalists by surprise.[3] The fight was highly criticized by the Associated Press: Eddie Brietz wrote that "Joe Louis vs. Jack Roper is a laugh if there ever was one", while Robert Myers wrote "For the benefit of those who don't know, Jack Roper is best described as a human being". United Press pointed out that Roper was not ranked by the National Boxing Association (NBA).[4][5][6]

Ranking Movements

  • Roper remained unranked by The Ring and NBA going into the fight.

The Fight

  • Title defense not recognized by the NYSAC.[7][8]
  • The Oakland Tribune reported that a crowd of 21,125 produced a gross gate of $87,697.75.
  • Louis was a 10-1 betting favorite.
  • Louis' purse was $45,000, and Roper's was $10,000.
  • Louis battered Roper along the ropes and sent the challenger to the canvas with a barrage of punches, finishing with a right hand. It was the only knockdown of the fight. Roper tried to pull himself up with the ropes, but he was counted out.
  • This was Louis' third straight first-round knockout victory.

External Link


Preceded by:
Louis vs. Lewis
NBA Heavyweight Title Fight
# 19
Succeeded by:
Louis vs. Galento