83 years ago

Date: 21st February 1941

Venue: Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois

Title: NBA World Middleweight Title

Promoter: Chicago Stadium Corporation

Tony Zale
( 46 - 15 - 2 )
Weight: 159 lbs

Steve Mamakos
( 25 - 8 - 1 )
Weight: 157½ lbs

In an intense rematch with the NBA World Middleweight Title at stake, held on February 21, 1941, at the Chicago Stadium, Tony Zale defended his championship against Steve Mamakos in a dramatic and brutal encounter. Known for his formidable resilience, Zale, the "Man of Steel," faced a fierce challenge from Mamakos, who had shown his mettle in their previous non-title bout by relentlessly pressing the action despite Zale's powerful punches.

The fight was a rollercoaster from the start. Mamakos displayed a bold and aggressive style that had him leading on the scorecards through sheer aggression and an ability to absorb Zale's punishing attacks. This pattern held until the critical 13th round, when Zale, finding himself on the brink of defeat, unleashed a devastating combination of punches. This onslaught began with a straight right that stunned Mamakos, followed by a left to the body and a right to the face that sent the challenger reeling to the canvas. Although Mamakos managed to rise at the count of six, the bell's toll did little to clear his evident grogginess.

At the start of the 14th round, Mamakos was only semi-conscious as the bell sounded, and Zale wasted no time. He delivered a knockout blow 26 seconds into the round, decisively ending the match and retaining his title. The crowd of over 14,000 spectators was left in awe of the dramatic turnaround, witnessing first-hand the grit and determination of a champion who refused to yield under pressure.

This match not only solidified Tony Zale's reputation as a champion capable of overcoming adversity but also highlighted the ferocious spirit and potential of Steve Mamakos, who, despite losing, had given one of the era's toughest fighters a run for his money. The fight was a testament to the brutal and unforgiving nature of professional boxing, where fortunes can change with a single punch, and the will to win can often be as crucial as skill in determining the outcome.