83 years ago
Tony Zale vs Georgie Abrams
Date: 28th November 1941
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, USA
Title: NBA & NYSAC World Middleweight Titles
Promoter: Mike Jacobs
Referee: Billy Cavanaugh
Tony Zale
(
50
-
15
-
2
)
Weight: 158ΒΌ lbs
Georgie Abrams
(
43
-
4
-
2
)
Weight: 159 lbs
On November 28, 1941, Tony Zale and Georgie Abrams fought for the undisputed middleweight championship at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Zale, recognized as the middleweight champion by the National Boxing Association (NBA), aimed to gain recognition from the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) by defeating Abrams.
The fight went the full 15 rounds, with Zale weighing 158 lbs and Abrams 159 lbs. Referee Billy Cavanaugh and judges Charles Draycott and George LeCron officiated the bout.
Zale's route to undisputed was not without its challenges. In the first round, he found himself on the canvas, a testament to the power of Abrams. However, Zale refused to stay down, demonstrating his resilience and superior boxing skills.
The eighth round brought another wave of adversity, but Zale weathered the storm, his powerful right-hand punches to Abrams' body and chin proving to be a game-changer. This display of physical prowess was hailed as one of the finest exhibitions of right-hand punching by a middleweight.
After a gruelling 15 rounds, Zale emerged as the victor, his name etched in boxing history. The unanimous decision in his favour marked him as the first universally recognized middleweight champion since Mickey Walker's reign ended in 1931.
The post-fight analysis was not without controversy, with the unofficial scorecards showing a discrepancy. United Press scored the fight 10-4-1 in favour of Zale, while the Associated Press had Abrams winning 8-7, leaving room for debate among boxing enthusiasts.