Rocky Graziano On February 7 the New York State Athletic Commission revoked Rocky Graziano's boxing license for his failure to report a $100,000 bribe offer. A title rematch with Tony Zale, originally scheduled for March 21 at Madison Square Garden, was rescheduled for July 16 at Chicago (Illinois) Stadium. That match ended with a sixth round TKO of Zale and Graziano regaining his World Middleweight Title. Right: Rocky Graziano (right) lands a punch to the head of Tony Zale.

Other Title Bouts

Jersey Joe Walcott managed to knock Joe Louis down twice (in the 1st and 4th rounds) during a 15-round match at Madison Square Garden on December 5, but Louis ended up retaining his World Heavyweight Title by virtue of a split decision (one judge and the referee). Right: Joe Louis goes down in the fourth round of his bout with Jersey Joe Wolcott.

Ray Robinson successfully defended his World Welterweight Title twice in 1947. In the first match, at Cleveland, Ohio, on June 24, he scored a TKO against Jimmy Doyle in the ninth round. The TKO was called after a left hook literally knocked Doyle out. Doyle was taken to St. Vincent's Charity Hospital immediately after the fight, but he never regained consciousness and died a few hours later. Local authorities considered filing criminal charges against Robinson, but ultimately chose not to. Robinson's second successful defense came on December 19, when he scored a TKO against Chuck Taylor in six rounds at Detroit, Michigan. Taylor suffered a bruised kidney in the fight and was subsequently hospitalized. Left: Jimmy Doyle goes down in the ninth round of his match with Ray Robinson.

Gus Lesnevich retained his World Light Heavyweight Title by knocking out Billy Fox in ten rounds at Madison Square Garden on February 28. On November 14, Billy Fox knocked out Jake LaMotta in the fourth round of a bout at Madison Square Garden. Left: Gus Lesnevich lands a blow to Billy Fox's midsection. Right: Billy Fox (left) fights Jake LaMotta at Madison Square Garden.

Ike Williams knocked out Bob Montomery in six rounds at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on August 4 to end confusion over who was the rightful World Lightweight Champion. Both men had previously claimed the title, but neither man's claim was recognized in every state. The bout, staged in the Sesqui-Centennial Stadium, settled the issue.

Willie Pep survived an airplane accident (in January) to successfully defend his World Featherweight Title by knocking out Jock Leslie in the 12th round of a 15-round fight at Flint, Michigan, on August 22.

Manuel Ortiz lost his World Bantamweight Title to Harold Dade on decision in fifteen rounds at San Francisco, California, on January 7. He regained it on a decision over Dade at Los Angeles, California, on March 12, and successfully defended it against David Kuikong Young on April 30 and Tirso Del Rosario on December 20.

Jackie Paterson was stripped of his World Flyweight Title when he failed to make weight for a bout against Dado Marino. The British Board of Boxing Control subsequently recognized "Rinty" Monaghan as champion after he won a disputed decision over Marino in London, England. But, Paterson sued the B.B.B.C. in court, got a favorable decision, and the Board was forced to recognize him as champion.

In the Year 1947
Madison Square Garden
Joe Louis

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