ca. 1962. Portrait of boxer Emile Griffith. He has his fists clenched as he stares into the distance. He would meet Portland middleweight Denny Moyer in a 10-round matchup at the Tacoma Sports Arena on August 18, 1962. Griffith, the world welterweight champion, would not have his title at stake as both fighters would weigh over the 147 pound welter limit. The fight would be televised nationally on ABC as its "Fight of the Week." Griffith would win a split decision over Moyer before a crowd of approximately 2,600 - not a bad gate considering the match was not blacked out locally. (TNT 8-17-62, A-1, 8-19-62, A-1)

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Griffith, Emile;

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);

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 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);

1956 Golden Glove champions. These nine young men are the individual champions in their weight category for the eighth annual Golden Gloves tournament sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. Although six major cities in the Northwest plus the military were represented in the tournament, the majority of champions came from either Portland or Seattle. Kneeling in front are: Tommy Thomas, Portland, 147 pounds, Johnny White, Portland, 132#, and Tommy Takao, Seattle, 112#. Standing left to right are: Tommy Delvecchio, Vancouver, B.C., 139#, Phil Moyer, Portland, 156# , Willie Richardson, Portland, 178#, Bruce Olson, Eugene, heavyweight, Harvey Burke, Portland, 165# and Bobby Hicks, Seattle, 125#. Takao, representing the Royal Athletic Club of Seattle, was the evening's first crowned champion. Hicks, wearing the colors of the George Chemeres Boxing School of Seattle, was voted "Golden Boy" honors, as the most popular fighter. (TNT 1-23-56, p. 17) TPL-10451;

Boxing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

A boxer bows his head in apparent defeat as he has just been knocked down by the blond boxer to the left. This action occurred during the eighth annual Golden Gloves boxing tournament held at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse on January 20-21, 1956. 59 amateur boxers competed in nine weight categories. They came from six major Northwest cities plus the military. Sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission, winners might have been considered for the upcoming Olympics by the U.S. and Canadian national teams. While no one from Tacoma was declared a champion, Seattle and Portland clubs were well-represented in the finals. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 1-20-56, p. 20, TNT 1-22-56, B-11)

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

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;

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;

Two young boys were photographed in June of 1938, attired in boxing trunks and gloves. They are the sons of Ray M. Smith.

Boxing; Boxers (Sports); Boys--1930-1940; Smith, Ray M.--Family;

Two young boys "duke it out" at the gym in June of 1938 under the watchful eye of an unidentified referee. The boys, outfitted in boxing trunks and gloves, are the sons of Ray M. Smith. TPL-10061

Boxing; Boxers (Sports); Boys--1930-1940; Smith, Ray M.--Family; Referees;

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;

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);

Group of boys learning to box, Times, Chick Garrett, Carter Lee. The walls of the room are painted with mountain scenes.

Boxing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boys--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Filipino Maxie Docusen, undefeated lightweight, will be meeting Tony Chavez of San Jose, California at the Tacoma Ice Palace on Friday night for a 10 round boxing main event. View of Maxie Docusen practicing on a punching bag at Kelly's Gymnasium, for the big boxing event coming up (T.N.T., 4/28/49, p. C-8).

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sporting goods; Physical fitness--Tacoma; Exercise equipment & supplies; Boxing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gymnasiums--Tacoma; Kelly's Gymnasium (Tacoma); Docusen, Maxie; Filipinos--Tacoma;

This is the mighty right forearm of "Young Jack" Dempsey, rugged fighter out of Puyallup, as pictured on September 14, 1925. His clenched fist, popping veins, and muscular biceps are an indication of the power he unleashes in his bouts, having knocked out his last two foes. Dempsey had been training for an upcoming battle with Everett's Kid Kober in which he would emerge victorious. G53.1-129 (TNT 9-16-25, p. 26)

Dempsey, Jack; Boxers (Sports); Arms (Anatomy);

Boxing has been called the "sweet science". In this photograph from January, 1936, a group of unidentified young men from Tacoma watch intently as Morgan Jones conducts a class at the Tacoma Y.M.C.A. on the correct technique for working a punching bag. Mr. Jones has his initials embroidered on his silk boxing trunks. (T. Times).

Boxing; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Young Mens Christian Association (Tacoma); Jones, Morgan;

Boys receiving instruction in self defense; offered by the Athletic Program at the WPA gym at So. 13th and Pacific Ave. The program was supervised by Frankie Britt who was assisted by Homer Amundsen (standing far right) and George Dixon. The boxing instruction program was offered every day at the gym to any boy who cared to participate. (T. Times 11/17/1938, pg. 20)

Boxing--Tacoma--1930-1940; Boxers (Sports); Amundsen, Homer;

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;

Joey Maxim is in Tacoma ready to go against Roy Hawkins in a 10 round bout at the Tacoma Ice Palace. This fight is one of the most important events in the heavy weight titles. Left to right, Al Del Monte, long time friend of Maxim and trainer, Elliot Metcalf, Manager of Tacoma Athletic Commission, and Joey Maxim, Cleveland heavy weight, club sign in background (T. Times, 5/24/48, p. 11).

Athletic clubs--Tacoma; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma; Boxing--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Maxim, Joey;

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;

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;

Two boxers are shown during a fight. The boxer on the right has ducked to miss the punch being delivered by the boxer on the left. A crowd can be seen in the stands beyond the rink.

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boxing--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Feet and fists were flying during the eighth annual Golden Gloves boxing tournament held at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse on January 20-21, 1956. Sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission, it attracted 59 amateur boxers representing clubs in six major Northwest cities plus the military. Boxing was very popular in the 1950's in this region; local newspapers continually had articles and results of matches. View of two boxers in action with the referee keeping a close eye on the match. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 1-20-56, p. 20, TNT 1-22-56, B-11)

Boxing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Referees; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

Golden Gloves tournament. The Tacoma Athletic Commission sponsored the eighth annual Golden Gloves tournament at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse January 20 & 21, 1956. They had expected between 75-80 entries; however, the final count was 59. Boxers from Tacoma, Seattle, Vancouver, B.C., Portland, Olympia and Everett in addition to the military represented their various athletic clubs or cities. Since 1956 was an Olympic year, many boxers hoped to attract the attention of U.S. and Canadian national team officials. View of two boxers in action; one is wearing the trunks of the Oregon A.A.U. The boxer to the right seems to have landed a telling blow to the head of his opponent. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 1-20-56, p. 20, TNT 1-22-56, B-11)

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

1956 Golden Gloves tournament. There was plenty of action for boxing fans at the eighth annual Golden Gloves amateur boxing tournament held at the C.P.S. Fieldhouse January 20-21, 1956. Sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission, the event attracted 59 entrants; somewhat fewer than expected since the Fort Lewis boxers could not attend. Pictured here is believed to be Phil Moyer, representing the Portland Ramblers Club, whose left hook seems to startle his opponent. Moyer went on to win the 156 pound class with a decision over Henry Brown, USS Essex. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 1-20-56, p. 20, TNT 1-22-56, B-11)

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

1956 Golden Gloves tournament. The College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse was filled with boxing fans during the Tacoma Athletic Commission-sponsored Golden Gloves amateur boxing tournament. 59 boxers participated in the two-day event in January, 1956, coming from as far away as Portland and Vancouver, B.C. There were nine different weight categories; only the bantamweight division was not represented. View of two boxers; man in dark trunks has just landed a shot to the jaw of his opponent while the referee watches intently. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 1-20-56, p. 20, TNT 1-22-56, B-11)

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

1956 Golden Gloves. The Tacoma Athletic Commission-sponsored amateur boxing tournament was held at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse on January 20-21, 1956. To pare down the field, preliminary fights were held on the 20th with semi-finals and the finals on the 21st. Nine champions were crowned in their respective weight categories with only the bantamweight division vacant. Here, eventual 165 pound champion Harvey Burke of Portland's Knott A.C. shows his form in pounding his opponent. (TNT 1-22-56, B-11, TNT 1-23-56, p. 17)

Boxing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Burke, Harvey;

1956 Golden Gloves tournament. Two boxers exchange simultaneous blows to the head during the eighth annual Golden Gloves amateur boxing tournament finals at the C.P.S. Fieldhouse on January 21, 1956. The blond on the left is believed to be Lindy Lindmoser, representing the South Hill Club of Vancouver, B.C. His opponent is believed to be Willie Richardson of the Portland Ramblers Club. Richardson would be crowned the 178 pound champion. Guest referee Pat McMurtry, former Golden Gloves champion, watches the action. The boxing tournament was once again sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 1-22-56, B-11, TNT 1-23-56, p. 17)

Boxing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); McMurtry, Pat;