Presents:
Tony Zale versus Rocky Graziano
1st September 27, 1946
3rd June 10, 1948
Asked to identify the greatest fight of the 2,000 he had broadcast, the legendary announcer Don Dunphy had no hesitation in naming the first of the three Tony Zale-
Rocky Graziano bouts. Held in Yankee Stadium in 1946, this was the first world middleweight title fight held after World War II.
One of the greatest, most action-filled and thrill-packed fights of all-time, this great fight, shockingly, was not filmed! Now, for the first time, you will be able to “see” this classic through the medium of radio and Don Dunphy’s fantastic blow-by-blow commentary direct from ringside at Yankee Stadium.
Sadly, while their second fight, also never filmed, appears to have been lost for posterity, you will be able to hear the classic third fight, held in 1948, through the magic of the radio broadcast and Don Dunphy's electrifying commentary.
When world middleweight champion Tony Zale, a product of the tough steel mills of Gary, Indiana, returned to boxing after three years in the navy during World War II, he faced a field of challengers including such tough men as Holman Williams, Charley Burley, Bert Lytell, the Cocoa Kid, and Jake LaMotta.
But Zale could make much more money against Rocky Graziano, the colorful ex-juvenile delinquent whose explosive style and dynamite right hand had made him the darling of fight fans. The 33-year-old Zale opted for the fight certain to be far more lucrative than any other.
The challenger, Rocky Graziano, entered the ring with a record of 45 wins, 6 losses, and 5 draws, 34 of those wins by knockout. Rocky, a product of New York reform schools, and military prison, is proof of boxing’s power to remake young men and give them opportunities for wealth and fame. Graziano had never lost inside the distance prior to facing Tony Zale.
Rocky was actually favored over Tony, but no one guessed at the dynamic treat in store for the 40,000 fight fans gathered at Yankee Stadium on September 27, 1946 to enjoy one of the most explosive nights in all sports history.
At ringside with Don Dunphy is Bill Corum, the well known, highly regarded sports columnist and between-rounds analyst.
About PRIME TIME BOXING
Programming that cannot be duplicated or found anywhere else, PRIME TIME BOXING features the legendary Don Dunphy, the all-time most dynamic and knowledgeable boxing commentator describing the most exciting and memorable fights of Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, Sugar Ray Robinson and all the other great champions.
Through the incredible magic of the original radio broadcasts listeners will be able to "see" the fights for the first time - in the theater of their mind! A magical replay of exciting sports history presented on audio CD, PRIME TIME BOXING includes the greatest fights ever, including many that have never been filmed or broadcast on TV.
