Gus Lesnevich vs. Joe Kahut

Gus Lesnevich 182 lbs beat Joe Kahut 181 lbs by KO at 2:45 in round 1 of 10

• Date: 1946-01-11
• Location: Auditorium, Portland, Oregon, USA
• Referee: Nat Fleischer

Bout Summary

A short overhand right hand about a minute in to the fight, caught Kahut on the jaw, and sent him forward on his hands and face. Kahut wobbled up at the count of nine. As Kahut rose, Lesnevich hammered him in the southwest corner for twenty seconds, before Kahut began to fight back. Kahut's response was ineffective, and Lesnevich trapped him in the northeast corner, where he pounded Kahut until he landed a left hook and a right hand which floored Kahut for the second time. Kahut rolled over at eight and attempted to push himself up with his hands, but he pitched forward, and was counted out by referee Nat Fleischer.

Figures

Attendance: 3,037
Gate: $29,120
Net: $24,360
Purses: Lesnevich $12,500 or 32.5% (he earned the guarantee)
Ticket scale believed to have been; $20, $12, $6. Turnout was poor, as the break-even point was $30,000.

Circumstances surrounding fight

The bout was originally scheduled to be for the World Light Heavyweight title, upon it's announcement by Joe Waterman, following Kahut's victory over Fitzie Fitzpatrick, with Lesnevich to receive a $30,000 guarantee up front. In late November, it was turned to a 10 round non-title fight. At the time of the change, former Heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey was in town to referee a Don Owen wrestling show at the Portland Auditorium. He had advised Kahut, not to force himself down in weight to fight at Light Heavyweight, and instead fight an over-the-weight bout with Lesnevich, and then consider fighting as a Heavyweight. Shortly thereafter, Kahut announced his intention to fight an over-the-weight bout, and assuming a win, to later face Lesnevich for the Light Heavyweight title.

Source: Portland Oregonian