Joe Louis vs. Tony Musto

**Challenger rankings**
Org.	Pos.	As of	Published
1+ Mth. Old
NBA	NR	24.12.1940	24.12.1940
Ring	N/A	N/A	N/A
2+ Mth. Old
NBA	NR	24.12.1940	24.12.1940
Ring	NR	12.12.1940	25.12.1940
3+ Mth. Old
NBA	NR	11.09.1940	11.09.1940
Ring	NR	11.11.1940	by 02.12.1940

Musto down in the third round for a count of one.

Notes

Musto was 2-4 in his last six fights, including losing to Arturo Godoy on December 2, 1940.
Originally Louis was scheduled to face Godoy for the third time, on April 15 in Los Angeles; however, on February 20 Mike Jacobs announced that the fight had been called off completely, because Godoy wanted to postpone the fight until August to fullfill his film commitments in South America. Godoy's manager Al Weill was frustrated with his fighter: "Godoy is acting very foolishly. He is not only breaking his word with me and Jacobs, but also breaking an actual contract. He had signed in late November for this Louis bout."[1][2]
On March 1, Associated Press revealed that Musto would probably be Godoy's replacement, and that the fight would take place in Cleveland.[3] Plans to make Musto Louis' next title defense were later confirmed by journalists Ed Orman, George Barton and Jack Hurley.[4][5][6]
Musto eventually signed the deal on March 18, while Louis' team signed it the next day.[7][8][9][10][11][12]

Musto entered the fight unranked by The Ring Magazine and the National Boxing Association.
In the June 1941 issue of The Ring Magazine, Musto was promoted to tenth.
- June 1941 issue released after April 4, rankings as of April 11.

There was a crowd of 17,472.
The gross gate was $52,993.75.
Musto was knocked down in the third round for a count of one, his only trip to the canvas. Louis was well ahead on points when the fight was stopped because of a cut over Musto's right eye. [13]

Preceded by: Louis vs. Simon I	NBA Heavyweight Title Fight # 29	Succeeded by: Louis vs. Baer I
Preceded by: Louis vs. Simon I	NYSAC Heavyweight Title Fight # 27	Succeeded by: Louis vs. Baer I