Gus Lesnevich vs. Billy Fox (1st meeting)
Billy Fox 172 lbs lost to Gus Lesnevich 174 lbs by TKO at 2:19 in round 10 of 15
- Date: 1947-02-28
- Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA
- Referee: Johnny Burns
World Light Heavyweight Title
- Fox was knocked down for a count of eight in the 10th. After he got up groggy, Fox took Lesnevich down in a clinch. Referee Burns then waved off the bout. New York Times
"There was no doubt, when this one was over that Gus Lesnevich really had the customers roaring for him as he's never had them before. Except for the 3rd - when Billy Fox set off his only explosion and all but flattened the champ - and the 4th, when Gus was still recovering from the fireworks, Fox didn't take a round. Lesnevich fought a fight from start to finish as though he'd written the book, moving to Billy's left out of reach of the right-hand artillery, digging both hands to the body, snapping the challenger's chin back with jabs and mixing him up with right hand rockets. From the 6th on Gus took charge. In the 10th, he put over a right hand that the folks 10 rows back must have felt. Although Billy got up at '8,' he was helpless and referee Johnny Byrne called it a night." -Associated Press
- Attendance - 18,318