Seattle boxer Al Hostak, the "Savage Slav," and manager Eddie Marino look at decayed stairs leading to the former Commerce St. location of Marino's Olympic Athletic Club on June 25, 1938. Eddie Marino was an ex-Marine whose nickname was the "Little Sergeant." He had been in the boxing business for many years and had come close with many potential titleholders. His long wait finally was over; a month after this photograph was taken, Al Hostak would KO champion and Tacoma native Freddie Steele in the middleweight title fight. In a professional career that began at the age of 18, Hostak had 83 fights with 68 wins, 9 losses and 6 draws. (T.Times 6-25-38) ALBUM 9.

Hostak, Al; Marino, Eddie; Boxers (Sports)--Seattle--1930-1940; Olympic Athletic Club (Tacoma); Stairways--Tacoma;

Seattle boxer Al Hostak (right), the "Savage Slav," and his manager Eddie Marino looked at the dilapidated stairs leading to the former location of Marino's Olympic Athletic Club, 917 Commerce St., on June 25, 1938. Eddie Marino had brought his boxer down to Tacoma to introduce him to his (Marino's) old friends and decided to visit the old building where his gym had been located on the second floor. The rooms were now vacant and the front door locked tight. Hostak would go on to defeat champion Freddie Steele and claim the middleweight title on July 26, 1938. (T.Times, 6-25-38, p. 13)

Hostak, Al; Marino, Eddie; Boxers (Sports)--Seattle--1930-1940; Olympic Athletic Club (Tacoma);

Eddie Marino brought his protege Seattle boxer Al "Savage Slav" Hostak to Marino's former Commence St. location of his Olympic Athletic Club on June 25, 1938. Hostak, 22, would defeat Tacoma native and champion Freddie Steele the following month in Seattle for the U.S. and National Boxing Association middleweight title. Al Hostak would conclude his stellar career in 1949 as a two-time champion.

Hostak, Al; Marino, Eddie; Boxers (Sports)--Seattle--1930-1940; Olympic Athletic Club (Tacoma); Stairways--Tacoma;

Popular U. S. boxer Jack Dempsey, former heavyweight champion of the world, shakes hands with a young admirer at the 20th Century Gym on June 24, 1944. Dempsey visited Tacoma in support of the 5th War Bond drive. Looking on are gym owner Homer Amundsen (far left), Dick Cox (in letterman's jacket) and George Strandley. Both Cox and Strandley are from Puyallup and are being taught the fine art of boxing by Amundsen. Commander Dempsey praised Amundsen's gym and its major league equipment. ALBUM 9. (T.Times 6-27-44, p. 9)

Dempsey, Jack, 1895-1983; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Celebrities; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Amundsen, Homer; Cox, Dick; Strandley, George; Shaking hands--Tacoma;

Cmdr. Jack Dempsey, former heavyweight champion of the world, gave some pointers to two young boxers from Puyallup at the 20th Century Gym in Tacoma on June 24, 1944. Coast Guard Lt. Commander Dempsey was visiting Tacoma to support the 5th War Bond drive. Homer Amundsen, the gym owner, and boxer Dick Cox watched Dempsey closely as he worked on George Strandley's left jab. ALBUM 9. (T.Times, 6-27-44, p. 9) TPL-9813

Dempsey, Jack, 1895-1983; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Celebrities; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Amundsen, Homer; Cox, Dick; Strandley, George; Shaking hands--Tacoma;

Boxer Jack Dempsey, former heavyweight champion of the world, shakes hands with a man believed to be Homer Amundsen outside the 20th Century Gym, during a June, 1944, visit to Tacoma for a War Bond street dance on upper Broadway, sponsored by the Tacoma Elks. A large sign above the doorway proclaims the 20th Century Gym as Tacoma's Boxing & Sports Headquarters. It was the former location of Eddie Marino's Olympic Athletic Gym prior to 1930. By 1944, the gym was owned by Homer Amundsen and well known for its up-to-date boxing equipment. ALBUM 9.

Dempsey, Jack, 1895-1983; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Celebrities; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Shaking hands--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);

Tommy James, Chicago-Tacoma Welterweight, will be taking on Tommy Egan of San Francisco, California in January of 1948. The two will be the main attraction in a ten round bout at Tacoma's State Armory in an event sponsored by promoter Raleigh Sligar.This event will be Raleigh Sligar's initial 1948 boxing card. View of Tommy James at Amundsen's Gym, photo ordered by Tacoma Boxing Club (T.N.T., 1/15/48, p. 23).

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boxing--Tacoma; Sporting goods; African American boxers--Tacoma; Tacoma Boxing Club (Tacoma); Amundsen's Gymnasium (Tacoma); James, Tommy;

Tommy James had boxed against many prominent Welterweights including Tommy Bell, Lou Woods and Vern Patterson. Tommy James has a number of excellent fights in his record while his losses can be attributed to competing in the "Big Leagues." The Welterweight division is the main event in the upcoming boxing match held in January of 1948. View of Tommy James at Amundsen's Gym, photo ordered by Tacoma Boxing Club (T.N.T., 1/15/48, p. 23).

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boxing--Tacoma; Sporting goods; African American boxers--Tacoma; Tacoma Boxing Club (Tacoma); Amundsen's Gymnasium (Tacoma); James, Tommy;

Raleigh Sligar was promoting and sponsoring a boxing event, the fight would be at the State Armory. View of boxer doing his promotional photos at Kelly's Gym, the boxer is ready for his upcoming fight.

African American boxers--Tacoma; Boxing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gymnasiums--Tacoma; Kelly's Gymnasium (Tacoma); Tacoma Boxing Club (Tacoma);