Spring Premier Auction 2017
Wed, May 24, 2017 04:00PM EDT - Fri, Oct 6, 2017 11:00PM EDT
Timed Auction
Lot 653
5/15/1953 ROCKY MARCIANO FIGHT WORN & SIGNED BENLEE GLOVES FROM 2ND JERSEY JOE WALCOTT BOUT (PROVENANCE FROM FAMILY OF A'S OWNER CHARLIE FINLEY)
Sold for
$28,244.40
Sold Price includes BP
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $200 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
| $30,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $25,000 |
| $500,000 | $50,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $100,000 |
| $1,500,000 | $150,000 |
The first bout between Rocky Marciano and “Jersey Joe” Walcott on Sept. 23 1952 in Philadelphia earned The Ring Magazine’s "Fight of the Year” when heavyweight contender Marciano knocked out the then-reigning champ in the 13th round with a vicious right to the jaw. Less than eight months later came the highly anticipated rematch. Still unbeaten at 42-0 “The Brockton Blockbuster" stepped into the ring against Walcott on May 15 1953 at Chicago Stadium now looking to defend his title. What was expected to be another long epic brawl instead turned out to be a brief bout toiled in controversy.
At the end of Round 1 Walcott was sent sprawling to his back by a Marciano combo. He pulled himself up to a seated position with his right hand on the ropes and appeared ready to stand up. But he inexplicably stayed seated as referee Frank Sikora counted him out. Right after the 10-count Walcott got up but it was too late. His night was done. Walcott complained to no avail that Sikora’s count was too fast. While some felt the fight was fixed the consensus was that Walcott wanted no part of Marciano. It would be Walcott's last ever fight. Marciano’s storied career continued on as he successfully defended his title six times from 1953 to 1955. He retired in 1956 at age 32 with a perfect 49-0 record. Just thirteen years later Rocky was killed in a plane crash at the tender age of 45.
Offered here are Rocky Marciano’s Walcott II fight worn Benlee gloves from that short memorable night in the Windy City. The aged eight-ounce boxing loves show heavy fight use yet remain remarkably well-preserved after 64 years. Both gloves sport the faded "BENLEE Sporting Goods" manufacturer's tag on the back of each wrist although the original laces have been replaced by just thin strings. Both gloves are machine-stamped in silver with "707-8" right above the BENLEE wrist labels. What's more Marciano has signed the back of both gloves in aged but still legible black ink.
The gloves come with excellent provenance from the son of longtime Oakland A's owner Charlie Finley who as a young boy attended the fight with his father and received this special pair of gloves directly from Marciano. Included are two black-and-white photos showing a post-fight Marciano signing the gloves for 9-year-old Charlie Finley Jr.
Includes signed LOA from Charles O. Finley Jr.
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