Identity elements
Reference code
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Level of description
Item
Title
BOLAND-B17111
Date(s)
- 1927-07-21 (Creation)
Extent
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Scope and content
Thousands of men, women and children gathered in Ledger Square to receive the returns of the Jack Dempsey-Jack Sharkey heavyweight match on July 21, 1927. Boxing was very popular then and the local newspapers heavily covered the sport. The Ledger posted blow-by-blow reports on its outdoor "Bulletin Board" of the Yankee Stadium bout. Johnny Pepe utitlized his deep bass voice to full advantage through a megaphone in keeping the massive crowd posted. The winner of the match would challenge Gene Tunney for the heavyweight crown. The aging Dempsey went on to knock Sharkey out in the 7th round although not without controversy. The Daily Ledger noted that this seemed to be a Dempsey crowd in Tacoma that night and there was mass cheering when the knockout occurred. Gene Tunney would retain his heavyweight crown as he once again defeated Dempsey later in 1927 during the bout that became known as the "Long Count." G53.1-133 (TDL 7-22-27, p. 7-photograph flipped)
Sports spectators--Tacoma--1920-1930; Crowds--Tacoma--1920-1930;