Print, Photographic

Name/Title

Print, Photographic

Entry/Object ID

2007.24.127

Description

A relieved Pat McMurtry wipes off his sweat after he beat former heavyweight champ Ezzard Charles. In July 1956, a crowd of 10,729 at Lincoln Bowl saw their hero win a 10-round decision from former heavyweight champ Ezzard Charles. It was McMurtry's best payday - $20,500. McMurtry, who graduated from Lincoln High School, fought twice at Lincoln Bowl that summer, drawing a combined 21,834 fans. He was the area's biggest sports star and was as high as the fifth ranked heavyweight in the world. In August that same year, McMurtry fought in Lincoln Bowl again, drawing a record Tacoma crowd of 11,095. But McMurtry suffered a disappointing 10-round decision to Willie Pastrano. But McMurtry bounced back to win his next five bouts, capped by a second-round knockout of Carl Bobo Olson to climb to No. 5 in the world.

Made/Created

Date made

1956

Place

Location

Lincoln Bowl, Tacoma, WA

Lexicon

Search Terms

Boxing, Professional/Semi-Pro

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

McMurtry, Pat

Person or Organization

Charles, Ezzart