Albumen photograph, 100 by 55mm (4 by 2¼ inches)., mounted as a carte de visite.

Canadian born boxer (1856-1918), most famous for his ‘Pivot Punch’ that he used against ‘Nonpareil’ Jack Dempsey in 1889, winning the fight in the 32nd round. La Blanche simply extended his right arm like a stick and spun around backwards, landing the back of his closed fist on Dempsey's chin, which dropped Dempsey to the ground, unconscious, for the full count. Several bystanders said it reminded them of what a man looked like when struck in the head with a hammer.
The two me apparently loathed each other. The had met previously in 1886 when Dempsey was the winner.

Subsequently the pivot punch was ruled illegal and banned from boxing. Referring to the 1889 fight La Blanche described how to throw the pivot punch to devastating effect. "This blow is delivered by closing the eyes, turning rapidly on one heel and letting the right hand go at random." (Tacoma News Tribune, Tacoma, Washington.)

100 x 55 mm

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