Classic Entertainment Autographs

Cat. #00611: TONY ZALE

Sorry, this item has already been sold.

Nifty 5x7-inch black and white boxing portrait on card stock, boldly signed with his name alone in black marker in the 1980s.  In good condition, with one very minute handling ding and the faintest of creases to the upper right-hand corner, both invisible when the photo is viewed head-on.  American middleweight pugilist Tony Zale was dubbed the Man of Steel, in honor of his birth in steel town Gary, Indiana.  A strong body puncher, he punished his opponents and steadily wore them down before going in for the kill.  He was also noted for being able to take fearsome poundings, and still rally to win.  Out of 87 bouts, Zale won a remarkable 67, 45 of which were by knockouts.  Best known for his three title bouts with Rocky Graziano, he was cast to portray himself in the 1956 Graziano biopic Somebody Up There Likes Me.  When he was sparring with the film's star, Paul Newman, Newman got rough and Zale knocked him unconscious.