John Henry Lewis vs. Al Gainer (2nd meeting)

John Henry Lewis 174 lbs beat Al Gainer 170 lbs by UD in round 15 of 15

• Date: 1938-10-28
• Location: Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
• Referee: Dave Fitzgerald

"John Henry Lewis today is the winner and still champion of the world's light heavyweights - but he doesn't know what to do with the title. Lewis, Phoenix, Ariz., weak from making 174 pounds, successfully withstood the challenge of Al Gainer, New Haven, Conn., in a 15-round title bout here last night, unleashing a vicious attack in the final five rounds to win the unanimous decision of the two judges and referee Dave Fitzgerald. Gainer came back at the start of the 12th and stung Lewis with lefts to the head, but midway through the round Lewis bounced him into the ropes with four drives to the belly that had Gainer holding on." -Associated Press

• Unofficial AP scorecard - 8-5-2 Lewis
• Unofficial UP scorecard - 7-5-3 Lewis
• This bout carried only NBA recognition. The NYSAC vacated Lewis' title for refusing to defend against their leading challenger, Tiger Jack Fox of Spokane, Wash. Lewis stated after this bout, "No, I won't fight Tiger Jack Fox. He won't draw."
• Attendance - 2,278
• Gate - $7,085
• Purses: Lewis - (less than) $2,500, Gainer - (app.) $500

Post-fight comment

• "It was a good, scientific fight, but I don't know what to do with the title. There doesn't seem to be any money in it and hasn't been any since I've had it. I had some trouble making the weight and what I got for risking the title tonight and going through a good tough fight certainly wasn't worth it." -John Henry Lewis