Hank Kaplan's boxing memorabilia

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Posted By: Murray G

I had the honor of corresponding with Hank for several years, and we finally met in person at the Hall of Fame a few years ago. Back in the early 1980s he promoted a couple of pro shows here in Alberta, and he always let me know when he acquired items related to Canadian fighters that I might want to add to my collection. He was particularly diligent in tracking down hard-to-find programs, posters and handbills from fights involving our mutual friend, George Chuvalo. Just weeks before he passed away, Hank called to tell me to expect "something special." A few days later, I received a package via courier, containing beautiful on-site posters of Chuvalo's fights with Tony Alongi and Willi Besmanoff in Miami in the early '60s. When I called to thank him, Hank quickly changed the subject to something else (as was his way), and concluded by telling me he was feeling "almost 100%." That was the last time I spoke to my friend.