BoxRec

Freddie Steele, Johnny Bumphus, Rocky Lockridge, and Leo Randolph.
Plus '72 Olympic Gold Medalist Ray Seales.

What other NW cities boast as many champs?

I used to box at the Sprague Ave. Boy's Club, and had the distinct pleasue of meeting Leo Randolph. One of the nicest people I've ever met in any walk of life. Just about the only "name" fighter that would take time out to help out and encourage us newbs at the gym. He was embarking on what turned out to be an aborted comeback at the time (1985), so he wasn't around long, but he was a great guy.

Seales hung around the gym a lot too, and tried to be helpful. Truth was, he was an Amway salesman at that time, trying to make ends meet. His cataracts were very bad, but he too seemed very cool and would occasionally pull me aside to offer pointers and give a pat on the back. Hope he's doing well.

Chava wrote:I used to box at the Sprague Ave. Boy's Club, and had the distinct pleasue of meeting Leo Randolph. One of the nicest people I've ever met in any walk of life. Just about the only "name" fighter that would take time out to help out and encourage us newbs at the gym. He was embarking on what turned out to be an aborted comeback at the time (1985), so he wasn't around long, but he was a great guy.

Seales hung around the gym a lot too, and tried to be helpful. Truth was, he was an Amway salesman at that time, trying to make ends meet. His cataracts were very bad, but he too seemed very cool and would occasionally pull me aside to offer pointers and give a pat on the back. Hope he's doing well.

So sad what has happened to Rocky Lockridge.

No city in the Pacific NW has produced as much talent as Tacoma. John David Jackson has roots in Tacoma as well.

Lockridge had questionable decision losses vs Pedroza, Gomez and Chavez. With a bit of luck he'd be a Hall of Famer.

I saw Lockridge's first fight with Tony Lopez the other day for the first time. Real war, real raucous crowd. Recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it, '88 fight of the year. Another close decision loss for Lockridge.