"THE GREATEST"
MUHAMMAD ALI
Jack "Kid" Berg vs Marius Baudry light welterweight World title official on-site 16 page programme. 14th December 1931, Royal Albert Hall, London.
Condition very good (light wear & tear to spine and edges, binding intact however, slight rusting to staples)
Berg W TKO 5
The packed crowd at the Albert Hall rose in uproar when the fight between "Kid" Berg, the London lightweight, and Marius Baudry, lightweight champion of France, ended in amazing fashion during the 5th round.
The boxers had emerged from one of their innumerable clinches, and Berg was about to leap in when Baudry held up one hand as a sign of surrender, block the blow that fell, and walked with eyes on the floor to his corner.
He had been fighting strongly, and was apparantly unhurt in any way except for a swollen ear. For a moment the crowd did not understand what had happended. But at once the M.C. climbed into the ring and announced that Baudry had retired. Then from all parts of the hall arose cries of "Fight on!" "Coward!" and a chorus of booing which lasted several minutes.
Price: £185
The Whitechapel Whirlwind, Jackie 'Kid' Berg training for his 1932 bout with Kid Chocolate. Tony Canzoneri wishes him well.
Jackie "Kid" Berg....It was quite a fitting nickname when you consider that he turned pro just three weeks shy of his 15th birthday.
Berg spent his early career fighting in London's East End and developed a non-stop attack that earned him another nickname, "The Whitechapel Whirlwind."
Berg moved to the United States in 1928 and battled contender Billy Petrolle to a draw in their first fight and was stopped in their second encounter. But the following year he scored a win over junior welterweight champion Mushy Callahan in a non-title bout. Then Berg opened the 1930 campaign with a decision over Tony Canzoneri and promoters quickly matched him with Callahan again with the title on the line.
Berg scored a 10th-round knockout to win the title. He returned to the United States and made six successful title defences. He also scored a 10-round decision over Kid Chocolate in a non-title fight. Chocolate, who later won the world featherweight and junior lightweight titles, was unbeaten in 160 amateur and pro fights before meeting Berg. By the year's end, Berg was considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
Canzoneri, now the world lightweight champion, fought Berg in 1931 with the lightweight and junior welterweight crowns at stake. Berg was knocked out in the fourth round and lost on points in a rematch five months later.
In 1934, Berg knocked out Harry Mizler to win the British lightweight title but failed in an attempt to capture the British Commonwealth crown two years later. He continued fighting until 1945.