Date: June 1942

Cover: Ray Robinson

What’s So Important About This Issue? This was the first time Sugar Ray Robinson ever appeared on the cover of The Ring, with a brief description of Robinson’s victory over Norman Rubio inside. Robinson went on to become, in the opinion of many, the greatest pound-for-pound fighter who ever donned boxing gloves, but at the time, Ring Editor Nat Fleischer wondered if Robinson would ever be a true world champion, because of World War II. The line next to Robinson’s cover shot was a reflection of the times: “Ray Robinson Colored Welterweight Champion Of The World.”

Lead Story: Fleischer wrote about heavyweight champ Joe Louis taking a respite from Army life to defend the title against Abe Simon at Madison Square Garden. “The Brown Bomber’s” timing was slightly off, but Louis was still too formidable for Simon, who was battered for six rounds before the fight was finally stopped. With the United States involved in World War II, Louis’ bout with Simon hauled in $64,980.02, which Louis turned over to the Army Relief Fund.

Also In This Issue: A pictorial of the Louis-Simon bout … “Boxing’s Contributions To Service Splendid” by Dan Daniel … “Boxing Styles” by Ted Carroll … Fighter of the Month: Joe Louis.

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