Boxing in The 1940s - 1942

1942

• January 9- In a rematch of their controversial 1941 bout, Joe Louis retains his world Heavyweight title with a first round knockout of Buddy Baer, at New York. The fight is fought as a benefit to the New York Auxiliary of the Naval Relief Society.
• February 13- Former world Light-Heavyweight champion Billy Conn beats world Middleweight champion Tony Zale by a twelve round unanimous decision in a non-title bout, at New York. This would be Conn's last fight in four years, as he would go on to serve in World War II.
• June 20- Freddie Mills conquers the British version of the world Light-Heavyweight title with a second round knockout over Len Harvey, in London.
• August 7- Manuel Ortiz becomes world Bantamweight champion with a twelve round unanimous decision over Lou Salica, in Hollywood.
• November 20- -Willie Pep wins the world Featherweight championship with a fifteen round decision over Chalky Wright, at New York