Offered is the much scarcer, tri-fold photographic version of the programs available for the legendary fight for the “World's Heavyweight Championship” on September 22, 1927, between Gene Tunney and Jack Dempsey, known as "The Long Count Fight." The program is made of heavy stock and actually stands on its own to create an impressive display. The legendary fight's infamy was garnered from a supposed "long count" when Dempsey knocked down Tunney for the first time in his career. Dempsey delayed in going to a neutral corner and delayed the count, enabling Tunney to recover and finish the fight, which he won by unanimous decision.
The Wikipedia description: "Apparently dizzy and disoriented, Tunney grabbed on to the ring's top rope with his left hand. Dempsey, who often stood over downed opponents and rushed back at them after they got up, looked down on Tunney. Referee Dave Barry ordered Dempsey into a neutral corner to no avail; Dempsey remained standing near Tunney, observing his opponent. This gave Tunney precious seconds to recuperate. By the time Dempsey finally walked to a neutral corner, Tunney had been down for around 3 to 8 seconds. Barry could not start to count on Tunney until Dempsey reached the neutral corner, but he was still able to count to nine before Tunney got up. Some believe that if Dempsey had responded to the referee's orders in time, he would have likely regained the world heavyweight crown with a seventh round knockout. The validity of this argument has been debated to this day. In the fight film, a clock was superimposed that recorded Tunney's time on the floor as 13 seconds, from the moment he fell until he got up. Because of this delay, it became known as The Long Count Fight."
The program measures 17 ¾ x 10 inches when fully unfolded. The telegram presents with signs of heavy wear and minor paper loss. Excellent condition. The program exhibits extraordinary preservation to the interior photographs (which are in stunning NM condition), but with some minor distresses, toning and chipping to the edges of the program's cabinet-like exterior, overall the technical grade is Excellent.