Fleischer, Nat – Nat Fleischer’s All-Time Ring Record Book 1943 Edition.’ 592-pages. Good condition. Has some written notes and page numbers on the inside of front cover and numerous notes on slips of

Description

Fleischer, Nat ‘Nat Fleischer’s All-Time Ring Record Book 1943 Edition.’ 592-pages. General wear to covers with a half-circle stain in lower right of the front cover and fraying to top/bottom of spine and edges. Handwritten list of names on the inside of the front cover as well as a small sticker of Hollywood boxing collector Tommy Farmer. Good condition inside. Has some written notes and page numbers on the inside of front cover and numerous notes on slips of paper laid inside. INSCRIBED to former light heavyweight champion and member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Jack Root: “To Jack Root, In sincere appreciation for all you have done to entertain members of the Armed Forces, Sincerely, Bill Smith Nov. 20, 1944.” Root and some boxing historians claim he was the first world light heavyweight champion in 1903. Above the inscription is a blue stamp reading: Compliments. Service Sports Inc. of Southern California.”

There is also a typed letter included from former professional fighter and trainer Bobby O’Dowd that is SIGNED by O’Dowd. (O’Dowd was a durable prizefighter who shared the ring with several notable contenders of his era. One of his most well-documented local appearances occurred in June 1934, when he fought a highly publicized match against featherweight contender Jimmy Christy at Shewbridge Field in Chicago. While he never captured a world title, Bobby O’Dowd was a distinct part of the local, gritty fabric that defined Chicago’s vibrant boxing scene during the golden age of the sport.)

I’ve included a scan of an original ABEBooks listing of the book with a small black & white photograph that was laid inside the book and will be included. There are also several handwritten lists of names on pieces on the front and back of some midsized pieces of paper laid inside the book, as well as a copy of a ‘Boxing Gossip’ column by Charlie (Lefty) Longo from the Post-Gazette dated November 23, 1971, laid inside.

Nat Fleischer’s All-Time Ring Record Book (1943 Edition) is the second annual installment of the historic boxing encyclopedia compiled by The Ring magazine founder Nat Fleischer. Printed by The O’Brien Suburban Press in Norwalk, Connecticut, this 592-page hardcover volume features burgundy/red cloth covers and tracks the complete, verified professional fighter statistics updated through December 31, 1942.

The primary data center of the book maps out comprehensive, bout-by-bout career histories, knockout statistics, and win/loss breakdowns for thousands of active fighters leading into 1943.

Championship Lineage: It details an exhaustive chronicle tracking the exact succession of world championship titles for every weight class, explaining exactly how and when belts changed hands.

Wartime Boxing Landscape: Reflecting the onset of World War II, the book chronicles how the sport adapted to the war effort, highlighting active boxers who were transitioning into military service and tracking the early frozen statuses of various championship titles.

Historical “Fistic Firsts”: True to Fleischer’s passion as a collector and historian, the text documents milestone trivia dating back to the late 19th-century bare-knuckle era. This includes tracking early glove contests, the implementation of specific athletic rules, and notable pioneer fighters.

Manager and Promoter Resources: The book provides essential logistical tables to assist contemporary boxing managers and promoters in analyzing fighter data to arrange competitive matchups.