This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 6/27/2002.
On July 3, 1919, Jack Dempsey unleashed a savage attack on heavyweight champ Jess Willard, knocking him down seven times in the first round. Dempsey took the crown when Willard refused to come out for round four. The epic nature and raw brutality gave promoters the idea to turn film of the bout into a full-length film. The Dempsey-Willard film titled "The Birth of a Champion", was according to this vintage poster touting the movie as the "first showing on any screen". The bright yellow 22" x 28" VG condition poster is ringed by eight photos and has some minor fraying on the edges of the half-sheet.