BoxRec - User contributions [en]

Wee Willie Davies

2010-03-27T01:36:56Z

Chuck:

[[file:Davies.Willie.jpg|left|photo]]
<boxer>027843</boxer>
 
*Another [[:Image:Wee-Willie-Davies-1.jpg|photo]]
*Born in Wales and moved to USA as an infant.
*His brother Dave also fought as amateur and professional.
*He was not a citizen in 1924 and therefore could not particpate in Olympic Trials for the USA.

According to the U.S. Census Records database on the Ancestry.com database, one William Davies, 23 years of age, was living with his wife, son and some other relatives in Speers, Washington County, Pennsylvania during 1930. A "professional fighter" and a native of Wales, he owned his home, which was valued at $7,500.

- Chuck Johnston

Wee Willie Davies

2010-03-26T18:55:45Z

Chuck:

[[file:Davies.Willie.jpg|left|photo]]
<boxer>027843</boxer>
 
*Another [[:Image:Wee-Willie-Davies-1.jpg|photo]]
*Born in Wales and moved to USA as an infant.
*His brother Dave also fought as amateur and professional.
*He was not a citizen in 1924 and therefore could not particpate in Olympic Trials for the USA.

According to the U.S. Census Records database on the Ancestry.com database, one William Davies, 23 years of age, was living with his wife, son and some other relatives in Speers, Washington County, Pennsylvania during 1930. A "prize fighter" and a native of Wales, he owned his home, which was valued at $7,500.

- Chuck Johnston

Emile Sencio

2010-03-11T02:45:16Z

Chuck:

<boxer>114909</boxer>

Exact date of birth unknown. He was reported to have been 21-years-old when he died.

In the Montana Death Records database on Ancestry.com, there is a Celestino Cenit who was born about 1907 and died on August 24, 1930 in Beaverhead County, Montana. According to his record on BoxRec, Emilio Sencio died on August 24, 1930 in Dillon, Montana. The county seat of Beaverhead County, Montana is Dillon.

- Chuck Johnston

Pete Bross

2010-03-06T02:49:46Z

Chuck:

[[file:Bross.Pete.jpg|left|thumb|325px|Pete Bross circa 1928]]
<boxer>076912</boxer>
 
*Had a reported 80 bouts and never stopped
*Dec 1928: Bross retires and becomes Deputy Sheriff in Great Falls, MT (Cascade County)
*(1929) Deputy sheriff in Columbus, Montana
*[[:File:F1169439Ph.jpg|1940 photo]]

----

In the Social Security Death Records database on the RootsWeb genealogical Web site, there is one Peter Bross who was born on March 8, 1898 and died in October 1980, with Great Falls, Montana being his residence at the time of his death. On the FamilySearch Web site maintained by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, there is a family pedigree listing one Peter A. Bross who was born on March 8, 1898 and died on October 16, 1980.

In the World War I Draft Registration database on Ancestry.com, there is one Peter Ambrose Bross who was a native and resident of Great Falls, Montana.

- Chuck Johnston

Talk:Cliff Rossberg

2010-02-11T05:28:21Z

Chuck:

According to the Montana Death Records database on the Ancestry.com website, one Clifford Rossberg died at the age of 45 in Cascade County, Montana.

According to the 1930 U.S. Census database on the Ancestry.com website, one Clifford Rossberg, 18 years old, was born in Montana and resided in Great Falls, Montana. He lived with his parents and several siblings, including his older brother, Albert, 21 years old. Three members of the household worked at the smelter, including Clifford as a laborer, Albert as a machinist and the father, Robert, as a machinist.

Brother of Al Rossberg

Note- The Anaconda Copper Mining Company had a copper smelter in the vicinity of Great Falls.

- Chuck Johnston

Talk:Cliff Rossberg

2010-02-11T05:23:11Z

Chuck: Created page with 'According to the Montana Death Records database on the Ancestry.com website, one Clifford Rossberg died at the age of 45 in Cascade County, Montana. According to the 1930 U.S. C…'

Jack Reeves

2009-10-27T01:59:14Z

Chuck:

<boxer>011331</boxer>

Greb Site "Reeves" [http://www.harrygreb.com/jackreeves.html page]

According to the California Death Records database on RootsWeb, there is a "Reeves" Moses who has the same vital statistics (date of birth, state of birth and date of death)as Jack Reeves.

According to ancestral records on Ancestry.com, there is a "Reeves" Moses who has the same vital statistics, including the city of birth, as Jack Reeves.

According to the U.S. Census Records on Ancestry.com, there is a "Reeves" Moses, a native of Montana, who was living in San Francisco, California during 1930 and a "Reeve" Moses who was living in Chestnut, Montana during 1900 and in Red Lodge, Montana during 1910.

- Chuck Johnston

Ernie Goozeman

2009-08-28T04:15:49Z

Chuck:

<boxer>050975</boxer>

According to the 1920 U.S. Census, there was an Ernest Ghuzman (born in Arizona in 1900) who was living with his parents in San Diego, California at the time. His father, Juan, was born in Mexico.

According to a marriage record on RootsWeb, one Ernest J. Ghuzman, age 22, married Luella M. Anderson in August 1922 in San Diego County, California.

Also reported to have been born of Spanish parents who immigrated to California from Seville, Spain

Most of this record is courtesy of [[Charles E. Johnston]] of the Internation Boxing Research Organization ([[IBRO]]).

George William Thompson

2009-08-17T12:17:28Z

Chuck:

According to the World War I Draft Registration database on the Ancestry.com website, one George William Thompson, a professional boxer and a resident of San Diego, California, was born on January 28, 1894 in Yonkers, New York.

According to the 1920 U.S. Census Records database on the Ancestry.com website, one George W. Thompson, 25 years old, was a resident of San Diego, California, a carpenter and living with his parents, two brothers and one cousin.

According to the 1930 U.S. Census Records database on the Ancestry.com website, one George W. Thompson, 36 years old, was a resident of San Diego, California and a native of the state of New York. He had a 24-year-old wife named Mildred and five children (two boys and three girls). In addition, he was a plastering contractor and owned a home which had a listed value of $12,500.

According to the California Death Records database on the RootsWeb website, one George W. Thompson was born on January 28, 1894 and died on March 24, 1965 in San Diego County, California. His Social Security number was 553-16-0748. His mother's maiden last name was Herbert.

- Chuck Johnston

George William Thompson

2009-08-17T12:12:01Z

Chuck: New page: According to the World War I Draft Registration database on the Ancestry.com website, one George William Thompson, a professional boxer and a resident of San Diego, California, was born on...

According to the World War I Draft Registration database on the Ancestry.com website, one George William Thompson, a professional boxer and a resident of San Diego, California, was born on January 28, 1894 in Yonkers, New York.

According to the 1930 U.S. Census Records database on the Ancestry.com website, one George W. Thompson, 36 years old, was a resident of San Diego, California and a native of the state of New York. He had a 24-year-old wife named Mildred and five children (two boys and three girls). In addition, he was a plastering contractor and owned a home which had a listed value of $12,500.

According to the California Death Records database on the RootsWeb website, one George W. Thompson was born on January 28, 1894 and died on March 24, 1965 in San Diego County, California. His Social Security number was 553-16-0748. His mother's maiden last name was Herbert.

- Chuck Johnston

Terry Kellar

2009-05-29T22:05:42Z

Chuck:

[[file:Kellar.Terry.jpg|left|Terry Kellar]]
<boxer>010579</boxer>

 
*Reportedly won amateur championship in Utah in 1905 (Oakland Trib, Feb. 1908)

*Per [[T. S. Andrews World?s Sporting Annual Record Books]] (1915), p. 220, Kellar "won 27 contests as an amateur in Utah, winning the lightweight, welterweight and middleweight championships."

The following information about Terry Kellar was found in "Nuts on the Family" on James Callow Keller's Family Tree Project homepage:

Real Name: Roy Walter Keller;
Born: March 7, 1890 in Omaha, Nebraska, USA;
Died: May 22, 1950 in Camarillo, California, USA;
Burial: May 27, 1950 in Ogden, Utah, USA;
Father: Charles Celestine Keller Jr. (1852-1904);
Mother: Julia Pfeiffer (Phieffer) (1852-1904)

- Chuck Johnston

Terry Kellar

2009-05-29T21:59:58Z

Chuck:

Terry Kellar

2009-05-29T21:59:01Z

Chuck:

Pat Varner

2009-03-24T02:58:59Z

Chuck:

1. Based on information gleaned from the databases on Ancestry.com, it appears that Pat Varner's real name was Clyde Overton Varner. According to the California death records database on RootsWeb, one Clyde Overton Varner was born on August 23, 1909 in Texas and died on April 23, 1987 in Kern County. His Social Security number was 555-09-8266 and his mother maiden last name was Stone.

Note- Pat Varner was the brother of Claude Varner.

- Chuck Johnston

Pat Varner

2009-03-24T02:56:25Z

Chuck: New page: 1. Based on information gleaned from the databases on Ancestry.com, it appears that Pat Varner's real name was Clyde Overton Varner. In the California death records database on RootsWeb, ...

1. Based on information gleaned from the databases on Ancestry.com, it appears that Pat Varner's real name was Clyde Overton Varner. In the California death records database on RootsWeb, there is one Clyde Overton Varner who was born on August 23, 1909 in Texas and died on April 23, 1987 in Kern County. His Social Security number was 555-09-8266 and his mother maiden last name was Stone.

Note- Pat Varner was the brother of Claude Varner.

- Chuck Johnston

Claude Varner

2009-03-21T19:59:57Z

Chuck:

[[file:Varner31.jpg|left|thumb|300px]]
<boxer>041784</boxer>
Photo #2: [http://www.sports.nd.edu/exhibits/winkexhibit/Varner.710-37-48.jpg]

1. According to the California Death Records database found on the RootsWeb website,
James C. Varner was born on July 17, 1908 in Texas and died on January 14, 1963 when he was resident of Delano, California. His mother's maiden last name was Stone and his Social Security number was 551-46-1504.

Earl Baird

2008-02-12T03:28:52Z

Chuck:

[[file:Baird.Earl.jpg|right|150px|Earl Baird]]
<boxer>095327</boxer>
'''Division''': Lightweight 

*Baird was a member of the Seattle (Seattle, WA, USA) Athletic Club (SAC)
*W-3 over [[Lee Francis]] at Spokane, WA, Jan. 16, 1914, per the ''Tacoma Daily News''
*Engaged in the Pacific Northwest (USA) amateur championship early March 1916 in Portland, Oregon--ultimately losing to [[Albert Byers]] (135 lbs.) of Multnomah
*Went with fellow SAC members [[Boxer:Val Sontag:130787|Val Sontag]] and [[Boxer:Lloyd Madden:028625|Lloyd Madden]] to the amateur tournament in Los Angeles, CA, where he W-3 over [[Eddie Nattis]] of Anaheim 19 Nov. 1915. ''Everett Daily Herald'' (Everett, WA, USA)
*Defeated both [[Pinky Mitchell]] and [[Charlie Beecher]], circa April 3, 1917, in an amateur tournament at Boston (125 pounds)
*Defeated [[Sam Eckstein]] of the Olympic Club, Nov. 22-23, 1917, at San Francisco, in an amateur tournament
*W-3 over [[Bat Chico]], Seattle, Feb. 2, 1918, in another amateur bout
*Ultimately won the USA National Amateur Lightweight Championship at (Boston?)
*Joined the United States Air Corps circa Feb. 14, 1918, and served in France during World War I
*Took out a license to marry Miss Ruth Bailey in late November 1918
*According to an April 19, 1947 L. H. Gregory column in the ''Portland Oregonian'' newspaper, Baird was then living in Berkeley, California, after obtaining an engineering degree at the University of Washington (Seattle), which he had started before he began boxing professionally after World War I. He evidently had worked under Dr. Lawrence at Cal-Berkeley University in the development of the Cyclotron.
*According to the World War II Registration Records database found on Ancestry.com,
one Earl Llewellyn Baird was born on April 23, 1894 in Malvern, Iowa. His residence
was in Berkeley, California and his place of employment was at Bethelham Steel Company
in San Francisco.
*According to the California Death Records database found on RootsWeb, one Earl
L. Baird died on April 15, 1963 in Contra Costa County, California. His listed
birthdate was April 23, 1894 and his Social Security number was 552-05-1267.

[[Category:United States Amateur Champions|Baird, Earl]]
[[Category:World War I Veterans|Baird, Earl]]

Earl Baird

2008-02-12T03:27:21Z

Chuck:

[[file:Baird.Earl.jpg|right|150px|Earl Baird]]
<boxer>095327</boxer>
'''Division''': Lightweight 

*Baird was a member of the Seattle (Seattle, WA, USA) Athletic Club (SAC)
*W-3 over [[Lee Francis]] at Spokane, WA, Jan. 16, 1914, per the ''Tacoma Daily News''
*Engaged in the Pacific Northwest (USA) amateur championship early March 1916 in Portland, Oregon--ultimately losing to [[Albert Byers]] (135 lbs.) of Multnomah
*Went with fellow SAC members [[Boxer:Val Sontag:130787|Val Sontag]] and [[Boxer:Lloyd Madden:028625|Lloyd Madden]] to the amateur tournament in Los Angeles, CA, where he W-3 over [[Eddie Nattis]] of Anaheim 19 Nov. 1915. ''Everett Daily Herald'' (Everett, WA, USA)
*Defeated both [[Pinky Mitchell]] and [[Charlie Beecher]], circa April 3, 1917, in an amateur tournament at Boston (125 pounds)
*Defeated [[Sam Eckstein]] of the Olympic Club, Nov. 22-23, 1917, at San Francisco, in an amateur tournament
*W-3 over [[Bat Chico]], Seattle, Feb. 2, 1918, in another amateur bout
*Ultimately won the USA National Amateur Lightweight Championship at (Boston?)
*Joined the United States Air Corps circa Feb. 14, 1918, and served in France during World War I
*Took out a license to marry Miss Ruth Bailey in late November 1918
*According to an April 19, 1947 L. H. Gregory column in the ''Portland Oregonian'' newspaper, Baird was then living in Berkeley, California, after obtaining an engineering degree at the University of Washington (Seattle), which he had started before he began boxing professionally after World War I. He evidently had worked under Dr. Lawrence at Cal-Berkeley University in the development of the Cyclotron.
*According to the World War II Registration Records database found on Ancestry.com, one
Earl Llewellyn Baird was born on April 23, 1894 in Malvern, Iowa. His residence was
in Berkeley, California and his place of employment was at Bethelham Steel Company in
San Francisco.
*According to the California Death Records database found on RootsWeb, one Earl L.
Baird died on April 15, 1963 in Contra Costa County, California. His listed
birthdate was April 23, 1894 and his Social Security number was 552-05-1267.

[[Category:United States Amateur Champions|Baird, Earl]]
[[Category:World War I Veterans|Baird, Earl]]

Earl Baird

2008-02-12T03:26:32Z

Chuck:

[[file:Baird.Earl.jpg|right|150px|Earl Baird]]
<boxer>095327</boxer>
'''Division''': Lightweight 

*Baird was a member of the Seattle (Seattle, WA, USA) Athletic Club (SAC)
*W-3 over [[Lee Francis]] at Spokane, WA, Jan. 16, 1914, per the ''Tacoma Daily News''
*Engaged in the Pacific Northwest (USA) amateur championship early March 1916 in Portland, Oregon--ultimately losing to [[Albert Byers]] (135 lbs.) of Multnomah
*Went with fellow SAC members [[Boxer:Val Sontag:130787|Val Sontag]] and [[Boxer:Lloyd Madden:028625|Lloyd Madden]] to the amateur tournament in Los Angeles, CA, where he W-3 over [[Eddie Nattis]] of Anaheim 19 Nov. 1915. ''Everett Daily Herald'' (Everett, WA, USA)
*Defeated both [[Pinky Mitchell]] and [[Charlie Beecher]], circa April 3, 1917, in an amateur tournament at Boston (125 pounds)
*Defeated [[Sam Eckstein]] of the Olympic Club, Nov. 22-23, 1917, at San Francisco, in an amateur tournament
*W-3 over [[Bat Chico]], Seattle, Feb. 2, 1918, in another amateur bout
*Ultimately won the USA National Amateur Lightweight Championship at (Boston?)
*Joined the United States Air Corps circa Feb. 14, 1918, and served in France during World War I
*Took out a license to marry Miss Ruth Bailey in late November 1918
*According to an April 19, 1947 L. H. Gregory column in the ''Portland Oregonian'' newspaper, Baird was then living in Berkeley, California, after obtaining an engineering degree at the University of Washington (Seattle), which he had started before he began boxing professionally after World War I. He evidently had worked under Dr. Lawrence at Cal-Berkeley University in the development of the Cyclotron.
*According to the World War II Registration Records database found on Ancestry.com, one
Earl Llewellyn Baird was born on April 23, 1894 in Malvern, Iowa. His residence was
in Berkeley, California and his place of employment was at Bethelham Steel Company in
San Francisco.
*According to the California Death Records database found on RootsWeb, one Earl L.
Baird died on April 15, 1963 in Contra Costa County, California. His listed birthdate was April 23, 1894 and his Social Security number was 552-05-1267.

[[Category:United States Amateur Champions|Baird, Earl]]
[[Category:World War I Veterans|Baird, Earl]]

Billy Peacock

2006-09-27T21:38:36Z

Chuck:

<boxer>011569</boxer>
'''Division:''' Bantamweight 
'''Manager''': [[Joe Stanley]], [[Suey Welch]]

As an amateur, Peacock was the 1951 National AAU Champion. As a professional, Peacock was a Bantamweight contender during the mid-1950s. His career highlight, coming when he scored a one-punch kayo, which broke the jaw of reigining NBA Bantamweight champion [[Raul Macias]] in a 1955 non-title bout.

In the Social Security Death Records on the website of RootsWeb, there is one
William Peacock who was born on June 30, 1933 and died on September 29, 2000.
His last listed residence was Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. - Chuck Johnston

[[Category:United States Amateur Champions|Peacock, Billy]]
[[Category:African American Boxers|Peacock, Billy]]

Ike Chestnut

2006-09-27T21:37:45Z

Chuck:

<boxer>022403</boxer>

In the Social Security Death Records on the website of RootsWeb, there is one
Issac Chestnut who was born on October 12, 1928 and died on July 15, 1987. His
last listed residence was the Bronx in New York City. - Chuck Johnston

Billy Peacock

2006-09-27T21:30:50Z

Chuck:

<boxer>011569</boxer>
'''Division:''' Bantamweight 
'''Manager''': [[Joe Stanley]], [[Suey Welch]]

As an amateur, Peacock was the 1951 National AAU Champion. As a professional, Peacock was a Bantamweight contender during the mid-1950s. His career highlight, coming when he scored a one-punch kayo, which broke the jaw of reigining NBA Bantamweight champion [[Raul Macias]] in a 1955 non-title bout.

In the Social Security Death Records on the website of RootsWeb, there is a
William Peacock who was born on June 30, 1933 and died on September 29, 2000.
His last listed residence was Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. - Chuck Johnston

[[Category:United States Amateur Champions|Peacock, Billy]]
[[Category:African American Boxers|Peacock, Billy]]

Billy Peacock

2006-09-27T21:30:12Z

Chuck:

<boxer>011569</boxer>
'''Division:''' Bantamweight 
'''Manager''': [[Joe Stanley]], [[Suey Welch]]

As an amateur, Peacock was the 1951 National AAU Champion. As a professional, Peacock was a Bantamweight contender during the mid-1950s. His career highlight, coming when he scored a one-punch kayo, which broke the jaw of reigining NBA Bantamweight champion [[Raul Macias]] in a 1955 non-title bout.

In the Social Security Death Records on the website of RootsWeb, there is a
William Peacock who was born on June 30, 1933 and died on September 29, 2000.
His last listed residence was Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. -Chuck Johnston

[[Category:United States Amateur Champions|Peacock, Billy]]
[[Category:African American Boxers|Peacock, Billy]]

Max Fenner

2006-04-19T07:35:08Z

Chuck:

According to an article by Julian Guthrie in the April
16, 2006 edition of the San Francisco Chronicle, Max Fenner
was the only San Francisco policeman who died in the San
Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906. On April 18, 1906,
Patrolman Fenner was killed when he was trying to save the
life of a young woman who was in the path of the collapsing
front of a building located on Mason Street and near Ellis
Street. His descendants were scheduled to accept the Purple
Heart Medal awarded to Fenner posthumously by Chief of Police Heather Fong at the ceremony at Lotta's Fountain marking the
100th anniversary of the San Francisco Earthquake. In addition
to being a policeman, Fenner also had stints as a teamster and a
"prizefighter."

Fenner's record on the website of BoxRec had two recorded
bouts. On August 21, 1891 in San Francisco, Fenner was
knocked out in the eighteenth round in his first recorded
bout while facing Con Riordon, an Australian heavyweight
who would later sustain fatal injuries in an exhibition bout
with Bob Fitzsimmons. On August 15, 1891 in San Francisco,
Fenner was knocked out in the fourth round in his second
recorded bout while facing Billy Allen. Fenner almost died
from the injuries that he sustained in the latter bout, but
would later recover.

- Chuck Johnston

Max Fenner

2006-04-19T07:28:47Z

Chuck:

According to an article by Julian Guthrie in the April
16, 2006 edition of the San Francisco Chronicle, Max Fenner
was the only San Francisco policeman who died in the San
Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906. On April 18, 1906,
Patrolman Fenner was killed while attempting to save the
life of a young woman who was in the path of the collapsing
front of a building located on Mason Street and near Ellis
Street. His descendants were scheduled to accept the Purple
Heart Medal awarded to Fenner posthumously by Chief of Police Heather Fong at the ceremony at Lotta's Fountain marking the
100th anniversary of the San Francisco Earthquake. In addition
to being a policeman, Fenner also had stints as a teamster and a
"prizefighter."

Fenner's record on the website of BoxRec had two recorded
bouts. On August 21, 1891 in San Francisco, Fenner was
knocked out in the eighteenth round in his first recorded
bout while facing Con Riordon, an Australian heavyweight
who would later sustain fatal injuries in an exhibition bout
with Bob Fitzsimmons. On August 15, 1891 in San Francisco,
Fenner was knocked out in the fourth round in his second
recorded bout while facing Billy Allen. Fenner almost died
from the injuries that he sustained in the latter bout, but
would later recover.

- Chuck Johnston

Max Fenner

2006-04-19T01:00:10Z

Chuck:

According to an article by Julian Guthrie in the April
16, 2006 edition of the San Francisco Chronicle, Max Fenner
was the only San Francisco policeman who died in the San
Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906. On April 18, 1906,
Fenner was killed while trying to save a young woman from
the path of a collapsing building located on Mason Street
and near Ellis Street. His descendants were scheduled to
accept the Purple Heart Medal awarded to Fenner posthumously
by Chief of Police Heather Fong at the ceremony at Lotte's
Fountain marking the 100th anniversary of the San Francisco Earthquake. In addition to being a policeman, Fenner also
had stints as a teamster and a "prizefighter."

Fenner's record on the website of BoxRec had two recorded
bouts. On August 21, 1891 in San Francisco, Fenner was
knocked out in the eighteenth round in his first recorded
bout while facing Con Riordon, an Australian heavyweight
who would later sustain fatal injuries in an exhibition bout
with Bob Fitzsimmons. On August 15, 1891 in San Francisco,
Fenner was knocked out in the fourth round in his second
recorded bout while facing Billy Allen. Fenner almost died
from the injuries that he sustained in the latter bout, but
would later recover.

- Chuck Johnston

Max Fenner

2006-04-19T00:55:51Z

Chuck:

According to an article by Julian Guthrie in the April
16, 2006 edition of the San Francisco Chronicle, Max Fenner
was the only San Francisco policeman who died in the San
Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906. Fenner's descendants
were scheduled to accept the Purple Heart Medal awarded to
Fenner posthumously by Chief of Police Heather Fong at the
ceremony at Lotte's Fountain marking the 100th anniversary
of the San Francisco Earthquake. In addition to being a
policeman, Fenner also had stints as a teamster and a
"prizefighter."

Fenner's record on the website of BoxRec had two recorded
bouts. On August 21, 1891 in San Francisco, Fenner was
knocked out in the eighteenth round in his first recorded
bout while facing Con Riordon, an Australian heavyweight
who would later sustain fatal injuries in an exhibition bout
with Bob Fitzsimmons. On August 15, 1891 in San Francisco,
Fenner was knocked out in the fourth round in his second
recorded bout while facing Billy Allen. Fenner almost died
from the injuries that he sustained in the latter bout, but
would later recover.

- Chuck Johnston

Max Fenner

2006-04-18T23:59:04Z

Chuck:

According to a speaker at the ceremony at Lotte's Fountain
marking the 100th anniversary of the San Francisco Earthquake
and Fire of 1906, Max Fenner was a policeman in San Francisco
starting in 1889 and a "prizefighter." Fenner would be the
only San Francisco policeman who was died during the earthquake.
There is a record of one Max Fenner's two recorded bouts on the website of BoxRec.

On August 21, 1891 in San Francisco, Fenner was knocked
out in the eighteenth round in his first recorded bout
while facing Con Riordon, an Australian heavyweight who
would later sustain fatal injuries in an exhibition bout
with Bob Fitzsimmons. On August 15, 1891 in San Francisco,
Fenner was knocked out in the fourth round in his second
recorded bout while facing Billy Allen. Fenner almost died
from the injuries that he sustained in the latter bout, but
would later recover.

- Chuck Johnston

Max Fenner

2006-04-18T23:44:56Z

Chuck:

According to a speaker at the ceremony marking the 100th
anniversary of the San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906,
one Max Fenner was a policeman in San Francisco starting in
1889 and a "prizefighter." He was killed while performing
his duties as a policeman on April 18, 1906 in San Francisco,
the day of the earthquake. There is a record of one Max
Fenner's two recorded bouts on the website of BoxRec.

On August 21, 1891 in San Francisco, Fenner was knocked
out in the eighteenth round in his first recorded bout
while facing Con Riordon, an Australian heavyweight who
would later sustain fatal injuries in an exhibition bout
with Bob Fitzsimmons. On August 15, 1891 in San Francisco,
Fenner was knocked out in the fourth round in his second
recorded bout while facing Billy Allen. Fenner almost died
from the injuries that he sustained in the latter bout, but
would later recover.

- Chuck Johnston

Max Fenner

2006-04-18T23:31:55Z

Chuck:

According to a speaker at the ceremony marking the 100th
anniversary of the San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906,
one Max Fenner was a police officer starting in 1889 and a "prizefighter." He was killed while performing his
duty on April 18, 1906 in San Francisco, the day of the
earthquake. There is a record of one Max Fenner's two
recorded bouts on BoxRec.

Fenner's first recorded bout was with Con Riordon, an
Australian heavyweight who won by knockout in the
eighteenth round in San Francisco on August 21, 1891.
Riordon would later sustain fatal injuries in an
exhibition bout with Bob Fitzsimmons. Fenner's second
bout was with Billy Allen, who won by knockout in the
fourth round in San Francisco on August 15, 1892. In
the latter bout, Fenner almost died from the injuries
that he sustained, but eventually recovered.

- Chuck Johnston

Max Fenner

2006-04-18T23:22:15Z

Chuck:

According to a speaker at the ceremony marking the 100th
anniversary of the San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906,
one Max Fenner was a police officer starting in 1889 and a "prizefighter." He was killed while performing his
duty on April 18, 1906 in San Francisco, the day of the
earthquake. There is a record of one Max Fenner's two
recorded bouts on BoxRec.

Fenner's first recorded bout was with Con Riordan, an
Australian heavyweight who won by knockout in the
eighteenth rounds. Riordan would later sustain fatal
injuries in an exhibition bout with Bob Fitzsimmons.
Fenner's second bout was with Billy Allen, who won
by knockout in the fourth round. As a result of the
latter bout, Fenner sustained injuries that were
close to being fatal, but eventually recovered.

- Chuck Johnston

Ernie Goozeman

2005-12-05T08:22:09Z

Chuck:

<boxer>050975</boxer>
According to the 1920 U.S. Census, there was an Ernest
Ghuzman (born in Arizona in 1900) and was living
with his parents in San Diego, California at the time.
His father, Juan, was born in Mexico.

According to a marriage record on RootsWeb, one Ernest
J. Ghuzman, age 22, married Luella M. Anderson in
August 1922 in San Diego County, California.

- Charles E. Johnston

Also reported to have been born of Spanish parents who immigrated to
California from Seville, Spain

Most of this record is courtesy of Charles E. Johnston of the Internation Boxing Research Organization (IBRO).

Ernie Goozeman

2005-12-05T07:51:11Z

Chuck:

<boxer>050975</boxer>
According to the 1920 U.S. Census, there was an Ernest
Ghuzman (born in Arizona in 1900) and was living
with his parents in San Diego, California at the time.
His father, Juan, was born in Mexico.

Also reported to have been born of Spanish parents who immigrated to
California from Seville, Spain

Most of this record is courtesy of Charles E. Johnston of the Internation Boxing Research Organization (IBRO).

Human:56371

2005-10-13T05:59:50Z

Chuck:

Irwin was the Featherweight Champion of Colorado during the
late 1890s. He was active in Leadville, Colorado affairs
and performed at various social functions as an Irish
vocalist and clog dancer. According to his obituary in
a Leadville newspaper, "There were few men who have won
such great popularity among all classes in this county than
has Billy Irwin. His friends are numbered by the hosts and
are composed of men, women, and children in all walks of
life. He was honest and upright and kind and generous to
a fault."

1877
- Irwin came to Americia with his parents, John Irwin and
Bridget Dooley Irwin.

1879
- Irwin came to Leadville, CO and lived there for most of
his life.

1885-1893
- Irwin worked in the mines near Leadville.

1895-1900
- Irwin left Leadville (returning sporadically) and worked
in the mines near Aspen, CO. He also worked in the copper
mines near Butte, MT. His main activity and livelihood
during this time was as a prizefighter.

1900
- Irwin returned to Leadville and worked in the mines and
as a bartender.

1903
- Irwin married Mary Loftus (of Leadville) in Buena Vista,
CO. They resided at 124 West Third Street, Leadville, in
the home of Kate Loftus, mother of the bride. Children born
to them were James (1904-1926), William (1906-1906), Francis
(1907-1977), Emmett (1909-1966), and Kathryn (1911-1976)

1903-1907
- Irwin worked as a fireman (plugman) for the Leadville Fire
Department.

1907-1909
- Irwin served as the Leadville Fire Chief.

1908
- Irwin was President of the Eagles Lodge and active in the
Democratic party politics.

1909-1910
- Irwin worked as the Deputy County Clerk and Recorder,
working with his cousin, John W. McMahon, who was Chief
County Clerk and Recorder.

1910
- Irwin developed pneumonia in late October 1910 and
battled it for nearly two weeks before he succumbed at
home. He was survived by his wife (Mary), three sons
(James, Francis, and Emmett), an unborn daughter (Kathryn),
his mother, two sisters, and several nieces, nephews, and
cousins, all in the Leadville area. Pallbearers were
M. J. Kikenny, Abe Flak, Maurice Miller, Charles Byrne,
Charles Slavin, and Alex McDonald. He was buried in the
Irwin plot at St. Joseph's Cemetery.

- Tracy Callis, Terry Irwin, and Emma Walling (Emmabasalt@aol.com)

Human:56371

2005-10-02T22:34:35Z

Chuck:

Irwin was the Featherweight Champion of Colorado during the
late 1890s. He was active in Leadville, Colorado affairs
and performed at various social functions as an Irish
vocalist and clog dancer. According to his obituary in
a Leadville newspaper, "There were few men who have won
such great popularity among all classes in this county than
has Billy Irwin. His friends are numbered by the hosts and
are composed of men, women, and children in all walks of
life. He was honest and upright and kind and generous to
a fault."

1877
- Irwin came to Americia with his parents, John Irwin and
Bridget Dooley Irwin.

1879
- Irwin came to Leadville, CO and lived ther for most of
his life.

1885-1893
- Irwin worked in the mines near Leadville.

1895-1900
- Irwin left Leadville (returned sporadically) and worked
in the mines near Aspen, CO. He also worked in the copper
mines near Butte, MT. His main activity and livilihood
during this time was as a prizefighter.

1900
- Irwin returned to Leadville and worked in the mines and
as a bartender.

1903
- Irwin married Mary Loftus (of Leadville)in Buena Vista,
CO. They resided at 124 West Third Street, Leadville, in
the home of Kate Loftus, mother of the bride. Children born
to them were James (1904-1926), William (1906-1906), Francis
(1907-1977), Emmett (1909-1966), and Kathryn (1911-1976)

1903-1907
- Irwin worked as a fireman (plugman) for the Leadville Fire
Department.

1907-1909
- Irwin served as the Leadville Fire Chief.

1908
- Irwin was President of the Eagles Lodge and active in the
Democratic party politics.

1909-1910
- Irwin worked as the Deputy County Clerk and Recorder,
working with his cousin, John W. McMahon, who was Chief
County Clerk and Recorder.

1910
- Irwin developed pneumonia in late October, 1910 and
battled it for nearly two weeks before he succumbed (at
home. He was survived by his wife (Mary), three sons
(James, Francis, and Emmett), an unborn daughter (Kathryn),
his mother, two sisters, and several nieces, nephews, and
cousins, all in the Leadville area. Pallbearers were
M. J. Kikenny, Abe Flak, Maurice Miller, Charles Byrne,
Charles Slavin, and Alex McDonald. He was buried in the
Irwin plot at St. Joseph's Cemetery.

- Tracy Callis

L.C. Morgan

2005-09-22T04:12:10Z

Chuck:

<boxer>012536</boxer>

* CBZ [http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/morgan-l.htm page]
* Inducted into the [[California Boxing Hall of Fame]] - 2005

On the California Death Records database on the genealogical
website, RootsWeb, there is one Langston C. Morgan who was born
on November 15, 1934 in Mississippi and died on May 12, 1987
in Los Angeles County, California. His Social Security number
was 273-30-9751.

- Chuck Johnston

Snowy Baker

2005-07-22T00:11:21Z

Chuck:

'''Born''': Reginald Leslie Baker, Sydney, 8 February 1884 
'''Died''': Hollywood, 2 December 1953

A colorful Australian, Snowy Baker was a famous sports and film figure. He first gained fame as an all-around athlete in Australia, notably in boxing, rugby, and swimming. In the 1908 Olympics, he won the silver medal in the middleweight division.

Baker started in the promotional end of boxing when he became an assistant to the most important promoter in Australia, [[Hugh McIntosh]]. After McIntosh sold his interests to Baker, the latter was a boxing promoter in Australia during the 1910s. As a result,
Baker played an important part in the career of the great young Australian middleweight, [[Les Darcy]].

He became the promoter at the Los Angeles, CA, USA [[Olympic Auditorium]] in 1942. Baker hired [[Joe Waterman]] to be his matchmaker, which appears to be the latter's third stint in the same position. It is believed that health problems forced Waterman to quit a short time later in 1942, with [[Babe McCoy]] replacing him while Baker was the promoter at the Olympic as late as early 1943.

[[Aileen Lebell]] worked for [[Frank Garbutt]] for the [[Los Angeles Athletic Club]] as a secretary or a bookkeeper before she became the business manager at the Olympic. (The L.A.A.C. had owned the Olympic Auditorium since 1927.) Frank Garbutt hired Baker to work for the Los Angeles Athletic Club during the 1920s. Baker was instrumental in creating the Riviera Polo Fields and would be the head man of the operation for at least two decades. As one of the most versatile Australian athletes in history, Baker continued to play polo well into the 1940s.

[[Category:Promoters|Baker, Snowy]]
[[Category:1908 Olympians|Baker, Snowy]]

Snowy Baker

2005-07-22T00:10:33Z

Chuck:

'''Born''': Reginald Leslie Baker, Sydney, 8 February 1884 
'''Died''': Hollywood, 2 December 1953

A colorful Australian, Snowy Baker was a famous sports and film figure. He first gained fame as an all-around athlete in Australia, notably in boxing, rugby, and swimming. In the 1908 Olympics, he won the silver medal in the middleweight division.

Baker started in the promotional end of boxing when he became an assistant to the most important promoter in Australia, [[Hugh McIntosh]]. After McIntosh sold his interests to Baker, the latter was a boxing promoter in Australia during the 1910s. As a result,
Baker played an important part in the career of the great young Australian middleweight, Les Darcy.

He became the promoter at the Los Angeles, CA, USA [[Olympic Auditorium]] in 1942. Baker hired [[Joe Waterman]] to be his matchmaker, which appears to be the latter's third stint in the same position. It is believed that health problems forced Waterman to quit a short time later in 1942, with [[Babe McCoy]] replacing him while Baker was the promoter at the Olympic as late as early 1943.

[[Aileen Lebell]] worked for [[Frank Garbutt]] for the [[Los Angeles Athletic Club]] as a secretary or a bookkeeper before she became the business manager at the Olympic. (The L.A.A.C. had owned the Olympic Auditorium since 1927.) Frank Garbutt hired Baker to work for the Los Angeles Athletic Club during the 1920s. Baker was instrumental in creating the Riviera Polo Fields and would be the head man of the operation for at least two decades. As one of the most versatile Australian athletes in history, Baker continued to play polo well into the 1940s.

[[Category:Promoters|Baker, Snowy]]
[[Category:1908 Olympians|Baker, Snowy]]

Snowy Baker

2005-07-21T23:55:41Z

Chuck:

Born: Reginald Leslie Baker, Sydney, 8 February 1884

Died: Hollywood, 2 December 1953

A colorful Australian, Snowy Baker was a famous sports and film figure. He first gained fame as an all-around athlete in Australia, notably in boxing, rugby, and swimming. In the 1908 Olympics, he won the silver medal in the middleweight division.

Baker started in the promotional end of boxing when he became an
assistant to the most important promoter in Australia, Hugh
McIntosh. After McIntosh sold his interests to Baker, the latter was a boxing promoter in Australia during the 1910s.

He became the promoter at the Los Angeles, CA, USA [[Olympic Auditorium]] in 1942. Baker hired [[Joe Waterman]] to be his matchmaker, which appears to be the latter's third stint in the same position. It is believed that health problems forced Waterman to quit a short time later in 1942, with [[Babe McCoy]] replacing him while
Baker was the promoter at the Olympic as late as early 1943.

[[Aileen Lebell]] worked for [[Frank Garbutt]] for the [[Los Angeles Athletic Club]] as a secretary or a bookkeeper before she became the business manager at the Olympic. (The L.A.A.C. had owned the Olympic Auditorium since 1927.) Frank Garbutt hired Baker to work for the Los Angeles Athletic Club during the 1920s. Baker was instrumental in creating the Riviera Polo Fields and would be the head man of the operation for at least two decades. As one of the most versatile Australian athletes in history, Baker continued to play polo well into the 1940s.

[[Category:Promoters|Baker, Snowy]]

Snowy Baker

2005-07-21T23:44:28Z

Chuck:

Born: Reginald Leslie Baker, Sydney, 8 February 1884

Died: Hollywood, 2 December 1953

A colorful Australian, Snowy Baker was a famous sports and film figure. He had been a boxing promoter in Australia during the 1910s.

He became the promoter at the Los Angeles, CA, USA [[Olympic Auditorium]] in 1942. Baker hired [[Joe Waterman]] to be his matchmaker, which appears to be the latter's third stint in the same position. It is believed that health problems forced Waterman to quit a short time later in 1942, with [[Babe McCoy]] replacing him while
Baker was the promoter at the Olympic as late as early 1943.

[[Aileen Lebell]] worked for [[Frank Garbutt]] for the [[Los Angeles Athletic Club]] as a secretary or a bookkeeper before she became the business manager at the Olympic. (The L.A.A.C. had owned the Olympic Auditorium since 1927.) Frank Garbutt hired Baker to work for the Los Angeles Athletic Club during the 1920s. Baker was instrumental in creating the Riviera Polo Fields and would be the head man of the operation for at least two decades. As one of the most versatile Australian athletes in history, Baker continued to play polo well into the 1940s.

[[Category:Promoters|Baker, Snowy]]

Billy Woods (California USA)

2005-07-21T06:11:29Z

Chuck:

A formidable black middleweight from Los Angeles, Billy Woods
had trouble getting bouts during his career despite having some noted boxing men such as Tom McCarey and Biddy Bishop as managers.
Woods shouldn't be confused with a heavyweight with the same name who was active during the 1890s and the first decade of the 20th Century.

- Chuck Johnston

Charley MacDonald

2005-07-14T04:00:32Z

Chuck:

Best-known for his highly successful stint as the matchmaker of the [[Hollywood Legion Stadium]] for sixteen years starting in late 1931, Charley MacDonald (McDonald) had also been a manager of a number of California boxers during the 1920s, including [[Boxer:Dick Hoppe:050735|Dick Hoppe]] and [[Boxer:Eddie Diggins:149535|Eddie Diggins]].

As a young athlete living in San Francisco, MacDonald had played on an Olympic Club basketball. When he became a manager of boxers, a number of his charges, including Hoppe and Diggins, had their respective starts in San Francisco Bay Area rings during California's Four-Round Era.

By the middle 1920s, both Diggins and Hoppe had some bouts in the Los Angeles area. In addition to boxing in Los Angeles rings, Diggins would act in at least two films before being murdered in 1927. During the middle and late 1920s, Hoppe was a very active fighter in the Los Angeles area while residing in nearby city of Glendale.

In late 1931, [[Tom Gallery]], the manager/matchmaker of the Hollywood Legion Stadium, resigned after the club was hit hard by the Great Depression. [[Gene Doyle]] became the manager while MacDonald took over the matchmaking post. Doyle would hold down his post for only about a year-and-a-half. In addition to continuing as the matchmaker at the Legion Stadium until 1948, McDonald also would handle the duties as manager after Doyle left.

Despite a tough period during the early 1930s, the Hollywood Legion Stadium proved to be a remarkably successful boxing club until the late 1940s. Unlike every other boxing club in California, the [[Hollywood Legion Stadium]] seemed have a boxing card with a large crowd in attendance every week like clockwork. As a result, there would be a tidy profit from the boxing shows at the Hollywood Legion Stadium just about every year.

Another apparent key to the Hollywood Legion Stadium's success was stability at the key positon of matchmaker. At other boxing clubs in California, there was a tremendous turnover in the key postions of promoter and matchmaker for a decade-and-a-half after the advent of the Great Depression.

Besides the Hollywood Legion Stadium, the Los Angeles area had only one other major boxing venue, the famed [[Olympic Auditorium]]. With a capacity of 10,400, the Olympic Auditorium was a fine boxing arena, more than twice as big as the first version of the Hollywood Legion Stadium. Starting with its construction and opening in 1925, the Olympic would have unstable times.
Despite the fact that some boxing men like [[Joe Levy]], [[Jack Doyle]] (along with his matchmaker, [[Wad Wadhams]]), and [[Joe Waterman]] had some successes at the Olympic, things would be somewhat unstable at the venue until the middle of World War II.

Because the Hollywood Legion boxing cards had been so successful for many years, there were plans to build a new arena with a capacity of 6,300 to replace the old one with a capacity of 4,500 in 1938. The cost of the new arena was a reported $250,000. Due to the fact that the new arena was to be built on the same site where the old arena was located, a number of Hollywood Legion cards would be staged at [[Gilmore Stadium]] for several months with a great deal of success in 1938. An open-air facility, Gilmore Stadium was also used for midget auto racing, football games, and even baseball exhibitions (Gilmore Field, a baseball park for the Hollywood Stars of the Pacific Coast League, was built later. It would be located near Gilmore Stadium.). It should be pointed out that a number of black boxers fought on Hollywood Legion cards at Gilmore Stadium in 1938. This was ironic because black boxers weren't allowed to box at the Hollywood Legion Stadium at the time.

In September 1938, the first card was staged at the new Hollywood Legion Stadium. Besides being bigger, the newer arena was a much nicer facility than the "barn-like" older version. Since the new arena was built specifically for boxing and kept clean, older boxing fans remember what a great place it was to see boxing cards.

MacDonald and the Hollywood Legion Stadium would have another memorable year in 1940. It started when a World Middleweight Championship bout between [[Boxer:Ceferino_Garcia:009601|Ceferino Garcia]], the titleholder, and [[Boxer:Henry_Armstrong:009018|Henry Armstrong]], the challenger, was scheduled to be staged at Gilmore Stadium under the auspices of the Hollywood American Legion. Since Armstrong, a black boxer from Los Angeles, and Garcia, a Filipino boxer, fought for much of their respective careers in California, such a bout would appear to be an ideal one to be staged in the Los Angeles area.

The crowd for the Garcia-Armstrong bout was estimated to be 20,000, far below expections. Moreover, Referee [[George Blake]] rendered the very controversial draw decision. As a result, Armstrong failed to win a fourth World Title in his great career.

Since the Hollywood American Legion was staging the Garcia-Armstrong bout and one of the principals was black, a controversy was ignited because of the ban on black boxers at the Hollywood Legion Stadium. Due to the controversy, the Hollywood American Legion agreed to allow black boxers to fight at the famed venue. After the ban was lifted, a large number of black boxers fought at the Hollywood Legion Stadium in succeeding years, including Henry Armstrong for the first time.

According to a news item in the August 12, 1980 online edition of the Historical Los Angeles Times, Charley MacDonald died on Saturday (August 9,1980) at the age of 86 in Tacoma, Washington.

On the Social Security Death Records database on the genealogical website, RootsWeb, there is a Charles MacDonald who was born on April 12, 1896 and died in August 1980. His Social Security number was 551-05-1453 and his card was issued in California. Finally, his last residence was in Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington.

- Chuck Johnston

[[Category:Matchmakers|McDonald, Charlie]]

Jack Jeffries

2005-06-29T06:32:08Z

Chuck:

Jack Jeffries was the brother of former Heavyweight champion James Jeffries. His first name was Charles. On the California Death Records database on the genealogical website, RootsWeb, there is a Charles M. Jeffries who was born on January 19, 1877 in Ohio and died on July 16, 1960 in Orange County, California.

- Chuck Johnston

Racehorse Roberts

2005-05-19T01:47:11Z

Chuck:

There is a Clement Robert Lombardi on the database of California Death Records on the genealogical website, RootsWeb. He was born
on February 13, 1901 in the "Rest of the World" (Italy?) and died on
January 28, 1949 in Alameda County.

- Chuck Johnston

Alec Greggains

2005-05-16T23:55:34Z

Chuck:

Greggains went on to become a promoter in his hometown of San Francisco. He has been credited with being the originator of boxing cards featuring four-round bouts exclusively.

Hubert (Baby) Palmore

2005-05-14T22:57:47Z

Chuck:

Most of this record is courtesy of Charles E. Johnston of the International Boxing Research Organization (IBRO).

Date of death based on a Harvey H. Palmore of Goleta, CA in Santa Barbara County.

Chuck Johnston writes the following:

"I knew Baby Palmore, who lived on the same street as I did in Santa Paula during the 1980s. As a result, I talked to him a number of times. Although it was reported that he was half Irish and half Mexican, Palmore denied that he was of Mexican descent."

Gene Espinosa

2005-05-14T22:48:12Z

Chuck:

During much of his career, Gene Espinosa lived in Guadalupe, California, a small community located nine miles from Santa Maria and in a highly productive agricultural area. It was reported that Espinosa worked in the local fields like many other fellow Filipinos during the 1930s. According to the late Jack Smith, Sr., a former football and track coach at Ventura High School in Ventura,
Espinosa was a fanatic about conditioning and would run the entire
distance of nine miles between Guadalupe and Santa Maria. Smith added that Espinosa was a crowd pleasing fighter.

According to the California Death Records database on the genealogical website, RootsWeb, there is a Gene P. Espinosa who was born on June 2, 1910 in the Philippines and died on January 11, 1989 in San Francisco County. His Social Security number was 562-18-2283.

- Chuck Johnston

Dave Shade

2005-05-11T07:09:34Z

Chuck: /* External Links */

[[file:Shade.Dave.jpg|left|Dave Shade]]
'''Nationality''': United States 
'''Hometown''': Vallejo, CA 
'''Division''': Middleweight 
'''Date of Birth''': 1902-03-01 
'''Date of Death''': 1983-06-23 
'''Age at Death''': 81 
'''Stance''': Orthodox 
'''Height''': 5' 8" 
'''Manager''': Leo P. Flynn 
[http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=013658 Fight Record]

Brother to fellow boxers [http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=11321 Billy Shade] and [http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=12047 George Shade]

== External Links ==
[http://www.harrygreb.com/daveshade.html Harry Greb Site]

Many of the newly discovered early bouts of Shade in the BoxRec Fight Record are courtesy of research done by Chuck Johnston, International Boxing Research Organization (IBRO) Member and BoxRec Editor.

In the 1910 U.S. Census, Dave Shade was listed as Charles D. Shade while living with his paternal grandparents, Walter and Mary Shade, in Richmond, California.

In the 1920 U.S. Census, Dave Shade was listed as Charles D. Shade again, but he was living with his father and a step-mother(?) in Concord, California.

Dave Shade was listed as David Charles Shade on his death certificate.

- Chuck Johnston

[[Category:Boxers with more than 200 bouts|Shade, Dave]]

Dave Shade

2005-05-11T06:58:46Z

Chuck: /* External Links */

[[file:Shade.Dave.jpg|left|Dave Shade]]
'''Nationality''': United States 
'''Hometown''': Vallejo, CA 
'''Division''': Middleweight 
'''Date of Birth''': 1902-03-01 
'''Date of Death''': 1983-06-23 
'''Age at Death''': 81 
'''Stance''': Orthodox 
'''Height''': 5' 8" 
'''Manager''': Leo P. Flynn 
[http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=013658 Fight Record]

Brother to fellow boxers [http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=11321 Billy Shade] and [http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=12047 George Shade]

== External Links ==
[http://www.harrygreb.com/daveshade.html Harry Greb Site]

Many of the newly discovered early bouts of Shade in the BoxRec Fight Record are courtesy of research done by Chuck Johnston, International Boxing Research Organization (IBRO) Member and BoxRec Editor.

In the 1910 U.S. Census, Dave Shade was listed as Charles D. Shade while living with his paternal grandparents, Walter and Mary Shade, in Richmond, California.

In the 1920 U.S. Census, Dave Shade was listed as Charles D. Shade again, but he was living with his father and a step-mother(?) in Concord, California.

After he died in Florida in 1983, Dave Shade was listed as David Charles Shade on his death certificate.

[[Category:Boxers with more than 200 bouts|Shade, Dave]]

Charley MacDonald

2005-04-29T06:30:01Z

Chuck:

Best-known for his highly successful stint as the matchmaker of the [[Hollywood Legion Stadium]] for sixteen years starting in late 1931, Charley MacDonald had also been a manager of a number of California boxers during the 1920s, including [[Dick Hoppe]] and [[Eddie Diggins]].

As a young athlete living in San Francisco, MacDonald had played
on an Olympic Club basketball. When he became a manager of boxers, a number of his charges, including Hoppe and Diggins, had their respective starts in San Francisco Bay Area rings during California's Four-Round Era.

By the middle 1920s, both Diggins and Hoppe had some bouts in the Los Angeles area. In addition to boxing in Los Angeles rings, Diggins would act in at least two films before being murdered in 1927. During the middle and late 1920s, Hoppe was a very active fighter in the Los Angeles area while residing in nearby city of Glendale.

In late 1931, [[Tom Gallery]], the manager/matchmaker of the Hollywood Legion Stadium, resigned after the club was hit hard by the Great Depression. [[Gene Doyle]] became the manager while MacDonald took over the matchmaking post. Doyle would hold down his post for only about a year-and-a-half. In addition to continuing as the matchmaker, McDonald also would handle the duties as manager after Doyle left.

Despite a tough period during the early 1930s, the Hollywood Legion Stadium proved to be a remarkably successful boxing club
until the late 1940s. Unlike every other boxing club in California, the Hollywood Legion Stadium seemed have a boxing card with a large crowd in attendance every week like clockwork. As a result, there would be a tidy profit from the boxing shows at the Hollywood Legion Stadium just about every year.

Another apparent key to the Hollywood Legion Stadium's success was stability at the key positon of matchmaker. At other boxing clubs in California, there was a tremendous turnover in the key postions of promoter and matchmaker for a decade-and-a-half after the advent of the Great Depression.

Besides the Hollywood Legion Stadium, the Los Angeles area had
only one other major boxing venue, the famed Olympic Auditorium
With a capacity of 10,400, the Olympic Auditorium was a fine boxing arena, more than twice as big as the first version of the Hollywood Legion Stadium. Starting with its construction and opening in 1925, the Olympic would have unstable times.
Despite the fact that some boxing men like Joe Levy, Jack Doyle (along with his matchmaker, Wad Wadhams), and Joe Waterman had
some successes at the Olympic, things would be somewhat unstable
at the venue until the middle of World War II.

Because the Hollywood Legion boxing cards had been so successful
for many years, there were plans to build a new arena with a capacity of 6,300 to replace the old one with a capacity of 4,500 in 1938. The cost of the new arena was a reported $250,000.

Due to the fact that the new arena was to be built on the same site where the old arena was located, a number of Hollywood Legion cards would be staged at [[Gilmore Stadium]] for several months with a great deal of success in 1938. An open-air facility, Gilmore Stadium was also used for midget auto racing, football games, and even baseball exhibitions (Gilmore Field, a baseball park for the Hollywood Stars of the Pacific Coast League, was built later. It would be located near Gilmore Stadium.). It should be pointed out that a number of black boxers fought on Hollywood Legion cards at Gilmore Stadium in 1938. This was ironic because black boxers weren't allowed to box at the Hollywood Legion Stadium at the time.

In September 1938, the first card was staged at the new Hollywood Legion Stadium. Besides being bigger, the newer arena was a much nicer facility than the "barn-like" older version. Since the new arena was built specifically for boxing and kept clean, older boxing fans remember what a great place it was to see boxing cards.

MacDonald and the Hollywood Legion Stadium would have another
memorable year in 1940. It started when a World Middleweight
Championship bout between Ceferino Garcia, the titleholder, and Henry Armstrong, the challenger, was scheduled to be staged at Gilmore Stadium under the auspices of the Hollywood American Legion. Since Armstrong, a black boxer from Los Angeles, and Garcia, a Filipino boxer, fought for much of their respective careers in California, such a bout would appear to be an ideal one to be staged in the Los Angeles area.

The crowd for the Garcia-Armstrong bout was estimated to be 20,000, far below expections. Moreover, Referee George Blake
rendered the very controversial draw decision. As a result, Armstrong failed to win a fourth World Title in his great career.

Since the Hollywood American Legion was staging the Garcia- Armstrong bout and one of the principals was black, a controversy was ignited because of the ban on black boxers at the Hollywood Legion Stadium. Due to the controversy, the Hollywood American Legion agreed to allow black boxers to fight at the famed venue. After the ban was lifted, a large number of black boxers fought at the Hollywood Legion Stadium in succeeding years, including Henry Armstrong for the first time.

- Chuck Johnston