Jimmy Fitzpatrick is clean cut, serious and determined to beat Eddie "Torpedo" Reed, from California, when they meet and fight for the welter weight title in their division. They have a ten round event scheduled at the Tacoma Ice Palace. Jimmy has been practicing and getting ready at Amundsen's Gym. Jimmy is wearing "Everlast" boxing shorts (T. Times, 10/29/47, p. 6).

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma; Boxing--Tacoma; Sporting goods; Amundsen's Gymnasium (Tacoma); Fitzpatrick, Jimmy;

In October of 1947, Tacoma welterweight Charley Johnston, alias the Blond Tiger, prepared in Amundsen's Gym to take on his opponent "Irish Bob" Kelly of Seattle for the third time. The regional welterweight title bout was scheduled for October 16th at the Tacoma Ice Palace. The first time the happy-go-lucky, debonair Kelly and the stoic, serious Johnston had fought was a six round near draw, awarded to Johnston on points. The second bout was stopped in round 2 by the State Examining Physician when Johnston opened up a gash over Kelly's left eye. The third bout was the decider; when before a crowd of 2,100 fans, Johnston knocked out Kelly in the 4th round. Charley Johnston went on to have a respectable 25 match career with 17 wins (11 by knock out,) 6 losses and 2 draws. Johnston was managed by Jack Connor. (T. Times, 10/15/47, p. 6; www.boxrec.com). TPL-10444

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma; Boxing--Tacoma; Sporting goods; Amundsen's Gymnasium (Tacoma); Johnston, Charley;

Amundson's Gym, contact Will Maylon. Believed to be Johnny Lovett, a Fort Lewis lightweight. He is wearing boxing shorts and boxing gloves, posing in a fighting stance in boxing ring. Photographs of boxers and posters announcing matches line the walls behind him. Johnny Lovett trained at Amundson's Gym and Will Maylon was a local matchmaker who arranged boxing matches at the Midway arena. (T.Times, 10/24/1945, p.9)

Boxers (Sports); Lovett, Johnny; Amundsen's Gymnasium (Tacoma); Gymnasiums;

Homer Amundsen and boxer in gym. Amundsen's Gymnasium was a modern gym with its own training ring and modern equipment. Homer Amundsen stands outside of boxing ring, while giving his student boxing tips.

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma; Gymnasiums--Tacoma; Amundsen's Gymnasium (Tacoma); Amundsen, Homer;

Amateur boxer Dick Ross worked out under the instruction of Homer Amundsen in January 1945. Amundsen is wearing a body bag that allowed him to take punches to the stomach without being injured. Boxing was a popular sport in Tacoma during the 1940's. Boxing bouts were taking place at the State Armory ring, and many boxers were training at Amundsen's Gymnasium at 719 1/2 Commerce St. Homer Amundsen tried to supply the most modern training equipment for athletes. (T. Times, 1/15/45, p. 9).

Boxing--Tacoma; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma; Coaching (Athletics)--Tacoma; Exercise equipment & supplies; Amundsen's Gymnasium (Tacoma);

Amundsen, picture in studio of Dick Ross. Amundsen's gymnasium is well known for their boxing. Dick Ross on left with Homer Amundsen.

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma; Ross, Dick; Amundsen, Homer; Amundsen's Gymnasium (Tacoma);

Amundsen, Homer picture of boxer. Photo of unidentified boxer at Amundsen's Gymnasium.

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma; Amundsen's Gymnasium (Tacoma);

Armory picture of fighters for War Athletic Commission. Tacoma Athletic Commission hosted many tournaments at the Armory Ring. Eight unidentified boxers posing for picture at Armory Ring.

Boxing--Tacoma; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

Boys Club team pictures. The Tacoma Boys Club was founded in 1942 by Superior Court Judge Fred G. Remann. E. S. Ostberg is the Executive Director of club and Remann now serves as the president of the club. Eight unidentified boys from the boxing team and their coach.

Boxing--Tacoma; Boys--Societies & clubs--Tacoma; Tacoma Boys' Club (Tacoma);

Studio portrait of a boxer. This young man in stocking feet is poised to make a run in the annual Golden Gloves amateur boxing tournament coming up in early February of 1979 at the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse. The tournament had been sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission since 1949. A close-up of the boxer is D169239, image 5. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission.

Boxing--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

Studio portrait of a boxer. Roger McCane has his gloved fists up in a traditional boxing pose when photographed in early January of 1979. He would be participating in the Tacoma Athletic Commission's annual Golden Gloves amateur boxing tournament to be held on February 3, 1979, at the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Boxing--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1970-1980; McCane, Roger;

Close-up of an intense Dale Grant with clenched fists. 18-year-old Dale Grant, the half-brother of Olympic gold medalist Sugar Ray Seales, was also a product of the Tacoma boxing scene. Unlike his brother who was born in the Virgin Islands, Dale Grant was born in Seattle in 1955. Following in the footsteps of his older brother, he won the 1972 National AAU championship but in the 156-lb. division. He would also win the 1973 National Golden Gloves championship in that weight division; Sugar Ray Seales had won the 1972 National Golden Gloves championship in the 139-lb. division. Mr. Grant, a TCC student, would turn pro on October 5, 1973, and make his successful debut in Santa Rosa, California, on October 13th. His manager was Larry Morris, son-in-law of local promoter George Yelton. Photograph ordered by Larry Morris. (www.boxrec.com; TNT 10-5-73, B-3 article)

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Grant, Dale; Families--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Olympic gold medalist Sugar Ray Seales sparring in a local gym on October 2, 1973. This is possibly Sugar Ray's own gym, newly opened at 1517 Commerce St. He was the sole American gold medalist in boxing in Munich's 1972 Olympic Games. Sugar Ray had his first pro fight on January 11, 1973, at the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse. By October of that year, he had turned 21 years old and was 11-0. His younger half-brother, Dale Grant, also turned pro in October of 1973. The hard-hitting brothers would be training together. Photograph ordered by Larry Morris. (TNT 8-7-73, B-1-article; TNT 8-17-73, B-2 article; TNT 8-19-73, D-2 article; TNT 10-5-73, B-3-article)

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Seales, Ray;

Tacoma boxing champ Dale Grant was 18 when he posed behind his impressive array of trophies including several large Golden Gloves awards in October 1973. Dale Grant was the half-brother of Olympic gold medalist Sugar Ray Seales. At that time, Mr. Grant was a student at Tacoma Community College. He announced that he was turning pro on October 5, 1973, with a debut scheduled in Santa Rosa, California, on October 13th. He went on to defeat veteran boxer Dave Arrealino in an unanimous six-round decision. Dale Grant began his boxing career at the Tacoma Boys Club in 1966. He had a 290-18 amateur record and won 29 championships. Unlike his older half-brother, he was a right hander. (Photograph ordered by Larry Morris, manager.) (TNT 10-5-73, B-3 article; TNT 10-14-73, B-1 article)

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Grant, Dale; Awards;

Tacoma boxer Dale Grant poses with an unidentified man, possibly his new manager Larry Morris, on October 2, 1973. Following in the footsteps of his half-brother Sugar Ray Seales, Mr. Grant had already won numerous boxing awards and honors. He would announce turning pro on October 5, 1973, with a bout scheduled eight days later in California. He would go on to defeat veteran boxer Dave Arrealino in an unanimous six-round decision. At the start of his professional career, Dale Grant was six feet tall and weighed 153 lbs. Photograph ordered by Larry Morris. (TNT 10-5-73, B-3 article; TNT 10-14-73, B-1 article)

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Grant, Dale;

Half-brothers Sugar Ray Seales (l) and Dale Grant (r) assume a typical boxing pose in this October, 1973, studio portrait. Tacoma was well represented at the 1972 Olympic games by Mr. Seales who would become the sole American boxing gold medal winner. His younger brother, Dale Grant, also was a notable local boxer who was named the US Amateur Boxer of the Year in '72 for his outstanding record. Mr. Seales was born in the Virgin Islands in 1952 while his father was stationed at an Army post there. He became involved in the Tacoma Boys Club in Tacoma after moving here in 1965 and was coached for many years by Joe Clough. Mr. Clough would resign as Mr. Seales' manager in May of 1973 after his first seven victories as a professional. Bill Dickson would then manage Mr. Seales. Photograph ordered by Larry Morris.

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Seales, Ray; Grant, Dale; Families--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Sugar Ray Seales, left, and half-brother Dale Grant, right, come from a Tacoma family of boxers; both have become champions in the boxing arena. In this 1973 photograph, Seales is a 1972 Olympic Gold Medalist and an unbeaten pro welterweight vying for the world championship. Seales would be the sole American gold medalist in boxing. Grant, an 18-year-old righthander, is just entering professional boxing. Grant was named U.S. Amateur Boxer of the Year for 1972 by the AAU and has a championship 290-18 record. He would be training alongside his brother who stated that "Nobody's hit me any harder than Dale in training." (TNT, 10/5/1973, B3). Photograph ordered by Larry Morris.

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Seales, Ray; Grant, Dale; Families--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1910. Copy of old boxing picture for the Times. Barechested man with ornate belt. This is identical to series C3-4 which depicts Stanley Ketchel, American middleweight boxing champion, 1908-1910. The elaborately designed belt is his championship belt. Ketchel was the first two-time middleweight champ and died at age 24, victim of an allegedly jealous ranch hand. Stanley Ketchel was part of the inaugural class of inductees into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. (T.Times 11-15-1938, p. 12; boxrec.com)

Boxers (Sports)--1900-1910; Ketchel, Stanley;

Army boxers prepare at the YMCA for the upcoming benefit boxing show at the Armory, scheduled for October 24, 1941. The Young Mens' Business Club (YMBC) is sponsoring the show to raise money for the 103rd Anti Tank Unit's Athletic Fund. Pictured in the ring are Charles Rosengren, Art Gowan and Coach Ernie Jensen. Along the ropes are Art Erickson, Doc Angelo, Roy Regensberg, Spence Pitts, Grant Buck, Bill Springer, Mervin McAtee and Walter Cotter. (T. Times 10/21/1941 p.13)

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boxing--Tacoma; Young Mens Business Club (Tacoma);

Packing house building; shingled structure with overhang, boxes stacked under overhang. Rural location not provided. Photograph was taken on July 9, 1941.

Boxes; Buildings;

Former World Heavyweight Boxing Champions Joe Louis, far right, and Max Baer, far left, during an appearance at Tacoma's B&I Circus Store on May 3, 1958. Louis speaks with B&I owner E. L. Irwin. Frank Stojack, football and wrestling standout, stands next to Baer signing autographs. ALBUM 9.

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baer, Max, 1909-1959--Public appearances; Louis, Joe, 1914-1981--Public appearances; Stojack, Frank; Irwin, E.L.; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Autographing--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Former world heavyweight boxing champions Joe Louis, left, and Max Baer, right, with store owner E. L. Irwin during a May, 1958, appearance at Tacoma's B&I Circus Store. Cliff Olson, PLU coach and athletic director; Frank Stojack, football player and wrestling champion; and Pat McMurtry, heavyweight boxing title contender, also participated in the autograph event. (TNT, 5/1/1958, p. C9). TPL-187. ALBUM 9.

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baer, Max, 1909-1959--Public appearances;Louis, Joe, 1914-1981--Public appearances; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Irwin, E.L.;

Former World Heavyweight Boxing Champions Joe Louis, second from left, and Max Baer, far right, signed autographs during a special appearance at Tacoma's B&I Circus Store, 8012 South Tacoma Way, on Saturday May 3, 1958. Joining them at the autograph tables were Frank Stojack (far left), professional wrestling standout and Pierce County Sheriff, and a fourth unidentified man. Boxers Louis and Baer had been flown by helicopter to the B&I from the Lakewood Villa Plaza where they had signed autographs earlier the same day. ALBUM 9.

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baer, Max, 1909-1959--Public appearances; Louis, Joe, 1914-1981--Public appearances; Stojack, Frank; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Autographing--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Max Baer, left, clowns around with three other men during an appearance at Tacoma's B&I Circus Store on May 3, 1958. He has a large fist against the jaw of Frank Stojack, former city councilman and current Sheriff. Stojack, a graduate of Washington State College, had played professional football and also wrestled professionally, even after his election to city office. Max Baer was the father of actor Max Baer, Jr., of television's "The Beverly Hillbillies." He joined boxer Joe Louis and other Tacoma sports figures in issuing autographs to their many fans. ALBUM 9.

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baer, Max, 1909-1959--Public appearances; Stojack, Frank; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma);

Publicity picture for Golden Gloves. The Tacoma Athletic Commission was once again sponsoring the amateur boxing tournament, the Golden Gloves, during January, 1957. This event continued to attract entrants from across the Pacific Northwest and Canada. Welterweight Paul Olive of Tacoma poses for a studio portrait in the traditional boxing stance. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 1-18-57, C-13)

Boxing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Olive, Paul; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Athletic Commission would be sponsoring the ninth annual Golden Gloves tournament January 18 & 19, 1957. Charles "Charley" Brown, Fort Lewis light-heavyweight, takes a familiar stance. Brown would be one of twelve Tacoma-area entrants. He would eventually meet Johnny White of the Portland Knott Streeters in the finals of the 147# class; White would decision Brown for the victory. The Golden Gloves traditionally attracted many entrants from throughout Washington, as well as Oregon and British Columbia. Military personnel also commonly entered the amateur boxing tournament. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 1-17-57, C-9, TNT 1-21-57, p. 14))

Boxing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Brown, Charles; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

Heavyweight Champion Gene Tunney, center, removes his leather flying helmet after arriving at Camp Lewis by plane from Seattle on February 8, 1927. He is met by Governor Roland H. Hartley, left, and Brig. Gen. Robert Alexander. Tunney will complete the remainder of his journey to Olympia by automobile. He is being honored at a luncheon in Olympia where 200 guests will hear him speak about the proposed boxing commission bill for Washington. Tunney was the Champion from 1926- 28, defeating Jack Dempsey for the crown, and retired undefeated in 1928. He was known as being handsome and intellectual. He served in the Navy in World War II, was successful in business and wrote two books. (TNT 2/8/1927 p.1)

Portrait of pugilist Gene Tunney, taken on February 8, 1927, when he landed at Camp Lewis, enroute from Seattle to Olympia. The military two person plane was met at Camp Lewis by a delegation from Olympia, headed by Governor Roland H. Hartley. Tunney, heavyweight boxing Champion from 1926-28, was honored at a luncheon in Olympia where he spoke about a proposed boxing commission bill for the state. Tunney had defeated Jack Dempsey in 1926, and again in 1927, for the heavyweight crown. He retired as Champion in 1928. (TNT 2/8/1927 p.1)

Kay St. Main Event. The Glide Rink is packed with spectators eagerly anticipating the main event boxing match on January 24, 1924. Three stern men, including the referee, observe two fighters in action. It is noticeable that the audience, apparently all male, is well dressed with suits and ties worn. Gene Cline of Oakland and Eddie Roberts of Tacoma headlined the card with a six-round bout. Roberts, a welterweight, decisioned Cline in a tough contest. The boxing match, along with other bouts, was sponsored by the Kay Street Athletic Club. G53.1-130 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 1-20-24, C-3-article; TDL 1-25-24, p. 10-article)

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1920-1930; Sports spectators--Tacoma--1920-1930; Boxing--Tacoma--1920-1930; Cline, Gene; Roberts, Eddie;

Former heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey (at left) posed with Allen Motor Co. president Harold A. Allen (center) and Mr. Dempsey's manager, Leonard Sacks, on September 10, 1931, at the Union Station, 1717 Pacific Avenue. A new Studebaker President eight brougham, courtesy of Allen Motors, is ready for Mr. Dempsey, per his request. The boxer customarily drove a Studebaker at home and asked to be transported in one while in Tacoma. He was in town for the Junior League Milk Fund Benefit which would earmark proceeds towards the purchase of milk for undernourished children at Tacoma Public Schools. Mr. Dempsey was the star attraction for the September 10th event which was held outdoors at Stadium Bowl. Photograph ordered by Allen Motor Co. TPL-678 (TNT 8-28-31, p. 1-article; T. Times 9-12-31, p. 9)

Dempsey, Jack, 1895-1983; Boxers (Sports); Allen, Harold A.; Studebaker automobile; Sacks, Leonard;