- Fought Joe Louis for the world heavyweight boxing championship on April 17, 1939 in Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, and was knocked out in the first round.
- Roper, who had scored 9 first round knockouts in his career, briefly stunned champ Louis in the first before being knocked out in 2 minutes and 22 seconds.
- Compiled a professional boxing record of 54-44-9 with 27 knockouts
- Was knocked-out in one round by heavyweight champions Joe Louis, James J. Braddock, and Jack Dempsey(in an exhibition).
- Defeated Sonny Walker, Johnny Erjavec, Patsy Perroni, Jorge Brescia, Bob Nestill and Junior Munsell prior to meeting Joe Louis for the title.
- Brother of boxer/actor Bob Roper.
- Had a boxing career from 1924 - 1940. Fought 118 bouts in the Heavy weight division. His first bout was on November 19, 1924.
- In 1939 knocked-out Luis Logan in 4 rounds in the Philippines to win the Oriental Heavyweight Title.
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