Lou Nova vs. Joe Baksi
Joe Baksi 211 lbs beat Lou Nova 201 lbs by UD in round 10 of 10
- Date: 1945-03-30
- Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA
- Referee: Ruby Goldstein 5-3
- Judge: Frank Forbes 7-2
- Judge: Bill Cohen 6-3
Baksi knocked Nova down in the 4th round for a nine-count, with a left hook to the body.
Source: New York Times
"Joe Baksi's sweeping left hooks pounded out a unanimous 10 round decision tonight over Lou Nova at MSG. Lou tired in the late going and suffered heavy punishment from his younger opponent. A left hook to the head gashed Nova's right brow deeply in the 9th round, and he bled so profusely that it was uncertain if officials would permit the bout to continue. Lou had also suffered a slight gash on the left brow in the 2nd round. Baksi floored Nova with a left hook to the head in the 4th session, and Lou took the count of nine although not badly hurt. He rose and fought back savagely. That was the lone knockdown of the bout, although Lou was staggered a couple of times in the 9th. Nova made a good showing until he ran out of gas. Although 30 years old, he displayed an excellent left jab and he was fairly accurate with his right, although his 'cosmic punch' seemed to lack authority." -United Press
- Unofficial UP scorecard - 5-2-3 Baksi
- Unofficial AP scorecard - 7-3 Baksi
- Baksi had served as Nova's sparring partner for his 1941 bouts with Max Baer and Joe Louis.
- Attendance - 14,094
- Gate - $46,394
- 10% of the gross receipts of this card were donated to the Red Cross.