May 1941
Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California
This is former World Middleweight Champion Freddie Steele's final career bout.
Jul 1938
Civic Stadium, Seattle, Washington
The crowd of 35, 000 saw Steele knocked down four times. He was counted out at by Referee Dempsey, former World Champion. Some ringside observers accused Steele of coming out against Hostak with his hands down, thus getting KO'd in the first round. But Steele had been hampered by a cracked breastbone, which prevented him from lifting his gloves high to where they belonged--according to his chief sparring partner, Davey Ward.
Jun 1938
Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
Feb 1938
Public Hall, Cleveland, Ohio
The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) afterward withdrew its recognition of Steele as its world champion, when Steele reportedly refused to defend against Fred Apostoli.
Feb 1938
Convention Hall, Rochester, New York
Jan 1938
Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Sep 1937
Civic Auditorium, Seattle, Washington
After 10 seconds of the fourth round Steele "took advantage of his first real opening. He hit Overlin with a left to the chin that staggered him, followed up with another left that sent the challenger falling and then finished him with two bullet-like rights as he was dropping." (Associated Press). This was Steele's first bout without his longtime manager and mentor Dave Miller, who had died suddenly two weeks before. More than 9, 000 people packed the venue--the largest crowd ever to see an indoor boxing match in the Pacific Northwest to date. Tacoma News Tribune
Jul 1937
Griffith Stadium, Washington, District of Columbia
May 1937
Civic Auditorium, Seattle, Washington
Mar 1937
Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Feb 1937
Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Jan 1937
Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Jones was down in the 7th for a 3-count, supposedly the first time he was ever floored.
Dec 1936
Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California
Nov 1936
Coliseum, San Diego, California
Nov 1936
Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California
Oct 1936
Civic Auditorium, Seattle, Washington
Sep 1936
Armory, Spokane, Washington
Aug 1936
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Jul 1936
Civic Stadium, Seattle, Washington
Apr 1936
Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
Mar 1936
Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
Feb 1936
Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California
Feb 1936
Crystal Pool, Seattle, Washington
Jan 1936
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Grace was knocked down three times.
Nov 1935
Civic Auditorium, Seattle, Washington
Oct 1935
Coliseum, San Diego, California
Oct 1935
Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California
"Referee Jack Kennedy stepped between the fighters with Berglund reeling helplessly against the ropes and blood streaming from a deep gash over the right eye." United Press
Sep 1935
Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
Jul 1935
Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
Referee McCarthy stopped the bout midway through the round after Dundee, the former middleweight champion of Baltimore, had been knocked down eleven times. Dundee hadn't landed a single effective blow. He sustained a slight concussion and a broken jaw on the left side, between the second and third molars, clear through. He was taken to Seattle's Providence Hospital, where he recuperated about a week. Doctors advised him not to fight for three months or longer.
Jun 1935
Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
May 1935
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Apr 1935
Civic Auditorium, Seattle, Washington
Apr 1935
Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California
Feb 1935
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Rivers was down in the seventh and eighth rounds, both for nine-counts. He was fouled by Steele just as the third ended, but the fight was ordered resumed after a five-minute rest period.
Feb 1935
Auditorium, Portland, Oregon
Jan 1935
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Jan 1935
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Dec 1934
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Dec 1934
Walla Walla, Washington
A Christmas charity show. Steele scored five knockdowns. Tacoma News Tribune
Nov 1934
Crystal Pool, Seattle, Washington
Steele is the Northwest Middleweight Champion. Referee Schacht stopped the bout to save Evans from further punishment.
Nov 1934
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Oct 1934
Armory, Yakima, Washington
According to the Yakima Herald the bout was over in less than a minute.
Jun 1934
Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
Jun 1934
Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco, California
Referee Toby Irwin chased the boxers from the ring after Slaughter had fallen ten times in less than two minutes, eight times without being hit. Irwin started to count the last time Slaughter fell, but changed his mind, and ordered the two out of the ring. Promoters tried to bring the boxers back to resume the fight, but Irwin refused to referee, and no other official could be found. Steele and Slaughter were later rematched in San Francisco, but Steele ran out on the bout when he injured his shoulder. After he left for Tacoma without checking with commission doctors, the California Athletic Commission suspended Steele, as well as his second Joe Waterman and manager Dave Miller.
Jun 1934
Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco, California
"[T]he impressive fashion in which the local trial horse was trounced last night convinced fans the youth from the Northwest is one of the best prospects to appear here in a long time. Making the third 10-round battle of his career, Steele battered Marino's face into almost unrecognizable shape, dropped him for a seven count in the fifth and won eight of the sessions with a combination of boxing and punching skill that could not be denied." AP
May 1934
Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
Apr 1934
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Apr 1934
Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
Mar 1934
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Feb 1934
Crystal Pool, Seattle, Washington
Feb 1934
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
First bout for Steele -- the newly-crowned Washington State Welterweight Champion -- after a four-month layoff due to a kidney infection. "To many, knowing that Steele has no love in his heart for Bennett, it appeared as though the Tacoman purposely allowed the Detroit welter to stay the limit so that he could administer as much punishment as possible." Tacoma News Tribune
Oct 1933
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Later this month, Steele is "forced on the shelf" after a serious kidney infection returns.
Washington state legalized prize-fighting, effective June 8, 1933. On Dec. 11, George Adams, chairman of the state athletic commission, named the very first state champions of each division. (There was no middleweight champion selected, however.) Steele becomes the first Welterweight Champion of Washington.
Aug 1933
Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
Jun 1933
Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
Jun 1933
Natatorium Park, Spokane, Washington
Jun 1933
Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
Jun 1933
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
May 1933
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Steele's return bout after a four-month lay-off caused by a broken jaw. "A well-timed one-two punch sent Attell down for a nine-count in the first round, and the San Franciscan went down for the count in the third from a hard right uppercut to the chin." (AP)
Jan 1933
Crystal Pool, Seattle, Washington
Pacific Northwest Welterweight Title
Nov 1932
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Nov 1932
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Oct 1932
Crystal Pool, Seattle, Washington
Sep 1932
Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California
Sep 1932
Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California
Sep 1932
Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
Aug 1932
Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
Aug 1932
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Aug 1932
Gonzaga Stadium, Spokane, Washington
Jul 1932
Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
Jun 1932
Arena, Dishman, Washington
Jun 1932
Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
May 1932
Auditorium, Portland, Oregon
May 1932
Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
Apr 1932
Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
Pacific Northwest Welterweight Title
"Steele sent a barrage of smashing straight lefts at Tony that bounced him to the canvas three times, cut his upper lip severely and battered him soundly in every stanza to win a [$500 diamond-studded] gold belt, emblematic of the mythical Pacific Northwest welterweight crown." (AP)
Apr 1932
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Steele scored two nine-count and one eight-count knockdowns.
Mar 1932
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Mar 1932
Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
Mar 1932
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
This is Steele's first bout after a three-month layoff due to a kidney infection. Reported as Goldstein's 114th bout (with no KO losses). Tacoma Times
Sep 1931
Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
Aug 1931
Arena, Dishman, Washington
Jul 1931
Arena, Dishman, Washington
"Thank the Lord there's only one Freddie Steele, " commented Fraser afterward. Bellingham American
Jul 1931
Arena, Dishman, Washington
The referee stopped the bout. Former World Champion Jack Johnson fought a three-round exhibition with Dee Richmond of Chemelah, Washington, on this card.
Jun 1931
Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
May 1931
Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
May 1931
Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
May 1931
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Apr 1931
Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
Apr 1931
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Apr 1931
Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
Mar 1931
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Mar 1931
Knights of Columbus Gym, Yakima, Washington
Feb 1931
Crystal Pool, Seattle, Washington
Feb 1931
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Jan 1931
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Dec 1930
Crystal Pool, Seattle, Washington
"Steele tried to cut-box Portillo while on the run last night and his backing up tactics cost him the fight. It was the Tacoma lad's first defeat." Modesto News-Herald
Dec 1930
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Oct 1930
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
"Steele landed some hefty blows and several times it looked as though Coffman was groggy and about to bow before the twin gods of Morpheus wrapped up in the Tacoma boy's mitts. But no; Coffman hung on for a moment, shook the gathering cobwebs from his brain and, when he squared off again, seemed as fresh as a daisy." Tacoma News-Tribune
Oct 1930
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Oct 1930
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Sep 1930
Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
Jul 1930
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Jun 1930
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
May 1930
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
May 1930
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Apr 1930
Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
Mar 1930
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Feb 1930
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Jan 1930
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Jan 1930
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Dec 1929
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Steele's first main event appearance. "Steele won almost every round, taking the first four with monotonous regularity. Boxing beautifully, Freddie scored repeatedly with straight lefts to the face, left and right hooks to the stomach and an occasional right cross to the chin." Tacoma News-Tribune
Nov 1929
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Nov 1929
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Davis was knocked down 10 times before the towel was tossed into the ring.
Oct 1929
Northwest A.C., Tacoma, Washington
Although the Oct. 8 Tacoma News Tribune announced the boxers on this scheduled card, neither it nor any of the Seattle papers published the results.
Oct 1929
Northwest A.C., Tacoma, Washington
Melody was disqualified in the second for going down without being hit, but the bell saved him. The only pro bout on an amateur card.
Aug 1929
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
"It was hectic while it lasted. Smith, a wild swinger, caught Freddie low early in the round, but after a couple of seconds rest, they continued. Steele caught Smith a right to the chin and floored him for nine and put the big crush on him a moment later with another right to the chin." (Also on this card, reportedly for 50% of the gate receipts, future World Heavyweight Champion Max Schmeling boxed two two-minute, two-round exhibition bouts with Herman Hellar and Walter Sells.) Tacoma Daily Ledger
Jun 1929
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
The crowd believed Smith had won, and gave "the most determined amount of booing a Tacoma ring has heard in years." Steele's "nose bled and his face looked like the inside of a watermelon." Tacoma News-Tribune
May 1929
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
"Steele revealed everything a great fighter in the making needs. Give him time and proper breaks and some day the kid, who will grow into a heavy or light heavy, will write plenty of ring chapters." Tacoma News-Tribune
Apr 1929
Tacoma, Washington
Mar 1929
Tacoma, Washington
Mar 1929
Tacoma, Washington
Jan 1929
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Steele "gave away some four or five pounds, but he boxed like a little master and used ring brains that were simply unusual. He is only a boy of 16 years old last month." Tacoma News Tribune
Nov 1928
Eagles Hall, Port Angeles, Washington
Nov 1928
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Leonard was floored twice. Steele is described as a "Jason Lee school boy" by the Tacoma Times.
Oct 1928
Eagles Hall, Port Angeles, Washington
It was later reported that Freddie Steele had recently beaten Verley Smith in Port Angeles, prior to his November 29th appearance in Port Angeles. It is probable that it was this fight, attributed to a Perry Martin of Tacoma, who has no record.
Oct 1928
Tacoma, Washington
Sep 1928
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Smith's professional debut, after being a star amateur boxer at Tacoma's Starlight A.C. (Often incorrectly recorded as a draw.)
Sep 1928
Tacoma, Washington
Aug 1928
Skating Rink, Centralia, Washington
Often incorrectly recorded as a win for Steele.
Jul 1928
Centralia, Washington
Often recorded as a first-round KO, the Centralia Daily Chronicle reported KO-2.
Jun 1928
Chehalis, Washington
Uncertain of Date but there was a big fight program scheduled for Chehalis on this date.
May 1928
Legion Hall, Olympia, Washington
May 1928
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
"What a prospect this Steele is. He's only 16." Tacoma News-Tribune
Mar 1928
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
After Weaver had been knocked down once in the first round, and twice in the third and fourth rounds, the towel was thrown into the ring.
Mar 1928
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Steele, a 15-year-old bantamweight, "looks like a comer." Tacoma News-Tribune.
Jan 1928
Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma, Washington
Steele fought from the first round with an injured right hand. Steele's first Tacoma bout: He "made his start here... and won handily[.]" Tacoma Times.
Apr 1927
Liberty Hall, Bellingham, Washington
Fourteen-year-old "Steele took the first two cantos handily, [sic] he was slightly bested in the third after he took a couple on the solar plexus. The white boy then came back to win the fourth by a hair and was awarded the decision." The Bellingham American. This was the final card of the Bellingham boxing season. Being an in-door sport, boxing was scheduled to resume in the autumn.
Mar 1927
Liberty Hall, Bellingham, Washington
Fighting at 105 pounds each, they provided "the most entertaining engagement on the bill." Bellingham American.
(Earlier, the Feb. 16 Bellingham Herald reported that Steele was suffering from the grippe, so a Mike Haget was to sub for him on that night's card. There was an Eddie Hargott who fought that night.)
Jan 1927
Liberty Hall, Bellingham, Washington
On Jan. 1, The Bellingham American, at p. 6, said: "Steele is the classiest 100-pounder in these parts, and he is a big favorite with the fans." A few days later, on Jan. 4, p. 6, the paper reported: "Freddie Steele is the third member of the McAllister stable that will show on the card. Steele is believed by many fans to be a little bit the best looking boxing prospect uncovered here in a decade. The little 100-pounder has plenty of natural class which is coupled with an ability to use his head. He will be paired with George Wilson in the deuce spot."
Dec 1926
Liberty Hall, Bellingham, Washington
The "curtain raiser." Steele "made a big hit with the throng. Canning was dropped for a three-count in the first, but came back to hold Steele on even terms in the next two rounds. The fourth was Steele's by a small margin. Both boys showed lots of class." The Bellingham American.
Nov 1926
Liberty Hall, Bellingham, Washington
"[A] draw decision although the bout did not go the four rounds. Just before the final bell was due Steele protested that he had been unintentionally fouled. As Jones did not see the foul he proceeded to call the match a draw as Steele previously had built up a fairly good margin. Britt showed improvement and he kept Steele going at top speed." Bellingham American
Nov 1926
Liberty Hall, Bellingham, Washington
Future World Champion Freddie Steele's professional debut.
"Both boys showed lots of speed and each packed a healthy sock. Steele landed a majority of the pokes and he had the best footwork."
Bellingham American.
