Al Palzer
Name: Al Palzer
Alias: Dutch
Hometown: Decorah, Iowa, USA
Birthplace: Decorah, Iowa, USA
Died: 1917-07-26 (Age:27)
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 191cm
Reach: 206cm
Pro Boxer: Record
Manager: Tom O'Rourke. Trainer: Ed Newhause
Al Palzer was born in Decorah, Iowa, and raised on a farm. (His exact date of birth in 1890 is unknown.) He was a "big, awkward, good natured chap, who was popular with the boys of the neighborhood." He grew tired of farm life, moved into town, and worked at a feed barn. He then enlisted in the United States Navy, and while engaged in physical education there, discovered boxing. Sources: 13 January 1912 San Francisco Call: [1], 6 Feb. 1912 Newark Evening Star: [2]
Palzer, a natural southpaw who fought orthodox, was another heavyweight "White Hope" of the 1910s. [3] In his battle with Luther McCarty in 1913, he showed his poor ring smarts when he had to rely on his manager's commands delivered by megaphone from his corner. His manager, the notorious Tom O'Rourke mishandled Palzer from the day he purchased his contract, as he did with so many other fighters.
He was shot and fatally wounded July 26, 1917, by his father while trying to protect his mother during an argument. He passed away two days later. His father was sentenced to five years at Stillwater Penitentiary for assault and murder.