Chicago Golden Gloves History
The Golden Gloves is a common event known throughout Chicago. It started back in 1923 as the first organized boxing event with 424 boxers.
After 100 years, nothing much has changed. It is the greatest non-national boxing tournament and is the longest-going boxing event in the United States. The founder, Arch Ward, laid down a foundation for what is now one of the most iconic sporting events in Chicago.
Another achievement from the Golden Gloves is opening the first women’s boxing division in America. It began in 1994 and gave women the opportunity to box similarly to men.
A big part of this tournament is being able to compete with New York boxers. Not everyone is able to make it to the finals. Some major Chicago icons that were given this opportunity include Joe Louis (1934), Ezzard Charles (1939), and Charles “Sonny” Liston (1953).
Men like these are the reasons why the sport is widely known, and why this has carried on for a century.
Joe Louis
One of Louis’ major achievements was becoming a world heavyweight champion. He gained this on June 22, 1937, when he knocked out his opponent James J. Braddock. In 1949, he retired but later returned to defend his title 25 times. This was done more times than any boxer in any division. Many don’t know that he also served in the U.S. military during WWII. He would have undoubtedly defended way more titles if he was able.
Louis’ father was committed to a mental hospital when he was just a boy. Afterward, his family moved to Detroit, where Louis was able to start his boxing journey. He won the U.S. Amateur Athletic Union 175-pound Championship in 1934, and is a Chicago Golden Gloves icon. During the Golden Gloves, he won 50 out of his 54 fights and even fought professionally.
His first fight was in 1934, where he tore down the competition. He did not lose a fight until 1936, when he lost to Max Schmeling, a German Boxer. When they met again the media portrayed their next fight to be a battle of Nazism versus Democracy. Although this may not have been true, Louis won anyway and was looked at as a hero. He was one of the most well-known and most-liked boxers of his time.
Ezzard Charles
Charles was a heavyweight boxer who won two Golden Gloves crowns. He entered his professional career in 1940. He found himself to be very successful, winning the National Boxing Association title. Charles was only able to defeat his opponent this one time. When he tried to regain the title the next year, he lost twice.
Out of 122 fights, he won 96 of them, more than half of which were knockouts. He was put into the ring magazine’s Boxing Hall of Fame in 1970.
Charles Liston
Liston was known to be one of the fiercest and most feared boxers of his time. What made boxers fear him was his mean persona. Everything about him was mean, and people did not want to mess with him.
Before Liston began boxing, he was actually in prison for two years. It was there that he learned how to box. Although it might say he was born in 1932, there is evidence to suggest he was actually born in 1934. That would mean he started boxing when he was 17 years old.
Liston was mainly known for his ability to pack a punch and his outstanding durability. He had 54 fights and 39 were knockouts. He was able to defend his title once but fell short in other fights.
Chicago Golden Gloves 2023
This year the tournament is set for March and early April. There will be many amateur boxers ready to fight for the month. Championship fights will be held during the first few weeks of April. It will be a very exciting site to see. Make sure to check out the fights, because you never know who will be next one to make history.
Written by Esteban Ruiz
Sources:
Chicago Golden Gloves: Chicago Golden Gloves History
Encyclopedia Britannica: Ezzard Charles
History: Joe Louis
The Ring: THE MOST FEARED FIGHTER IN BOXING HISTORY: CHARLES ‘SONNY’ LISTON REMEMBERED
Featured Image Courtesy of hoosierchild‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of hoosierchild‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
