Fight:470897

Roy Higa 119 lbs beat Black Joe 125 lbs by TKO at 2:13 in round 8 of 10

• Date: 1948-07-08
• Location: Memorial Civic Auditorium, Stockton, California, USA
• Referee: Harry Atwood

Berja (Black Joe) and Higa boxed with six-ounce gloves as prescribed by the California State Athletic Commission.

Going into the 8th round, the action was going in Higa's favor. Higa had been cut over the eye in the 3rd round, which had bothered him, and he had put Berja down for a no-count in the the 6th round. In the 8th round, Berja suddenly developed rubbery legs following blows to the side of the head.

Berja went down for a no-count knockdown early in the 8th round, and then took a three-count later on. Berja was down for a third time, for an eight-count, most of which he took on one knee. Berja rose to continue, but the referee decided that Berja was too dazed to continue.

Berja then collapsed in his corner after being assisted there, he was taken to the hospital, where he lapsed into a coma, and died the following morning at 7:45 AM.

Source: Stockton Record