Joe Salas won the National AAU title in 1924, which also served as the Olympic trials. Also chosen to represent the U.S. as a featherweight was Salas’ good friend, and Los Angeles AC clubmate, Jackie Fields. At the Paris Olympics both Fields and Salas won their preliminary matches easily and met in the finals. It was a very close fight, but Fields was given the decision in three rounds. After the verdict was given the two fighters embraced in the ring while two American flags were raised. Back in the United States public interest demanded another fight between the two friends. Again Fields defeated Salas in their last amateur fight. They turned professional and debuted against one another in late 1924 – with Fields again winning, this time a 10-round decision. Joe Salas continued to fight professionally for several years but he never lived up to his initial promise.
United States