83 years ago

Date: 17th February 1941

Venue: Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Title: World Heavyweight Title

Promoter: Mike Jacobs, Herman Taylor

Tv:

Joe Louis
( 45 - 1 - 0 )
Weight: 203 lbs

Gus Dorazio
( 50 - 9 - 1 )
Weight: 193½ lbs

On February 17, 1941, at the Convention Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Joe Louis defended his World Heavyweight Championship for the fourteenth time, facing off against Gus Dorazio in a scheduled 15-round bout. The fight, officiated by referee Irving Kutcher, saw Louis emerge victorious with a knockout victory over Dorazio at 1 minute and 30 seconds into the second round.

The matchup between Louis and Dorazio was set into motion when promoter Herman Taylor announced on November 15, 1940, that Louis would face the winner of a scheduled bout between Dorazio and Red Burman, initially slated for November 17, 1940. However, due to Dorazio reportedly being ill with the flu, the fight between Dorazio and Burman did not materialise, and Burman received an automatic title shot against Louis. Instead, Dorazio was scheduled to face Herbie Katz in a rematch, with the winner possibly earning a shot at the heavyweight title.

The bout between Louis and Dorazio was officially confirmed between December 20 and December 23, setting the stage for their showdown in Philadelphia. A crowd of 15,902 spectators gathered at the Convention Hall to witness the championship bout.

Louis showcased his trademark power and precision from the opening bell, asserting his dominance over Dorazio. In the second round, Louis unleashed a lethal right hand that landed flush on Dorazio's chin, sending him crashing to the canvas in a state of unconsciousness. Referee Irving Kutcher swiftly intervened, recognising Dorazio's incapacitated state and calling an end to the contest.

Following the fight, the Associated Press reported on the devastating impact of Louis's knockout blow, describing how Dorazio fell flat on his face, utterly senseless from the force of the punch. Despite his state of unconsciousness, Dorazio later expressed a belief that the fight should not have been stopped, indicating his determination to continue.

In the lead-up to the bout, Dorazio had expressed confidence in his ability to defeat Louis by employing a strategy of bobbing and weaving. However, Louis, ever the formidable champion, remained unfazed by his opponent's tactics, declaring his readiness to face Dorazio's challenge head-on.
Ultimately, Louis's victory over Dorazio further solidified his status as one of the greatest heavyweight champions in boxing history, as he continued his remarkable reign atop the division with yet another successful defence of his title.