Name/Title
Print, PhotographicEntry/Object ID
2007.24.177Description
Four big-named sports figures from Tacoma stand together in this 1959 black-and-white photo. From left to right there's long-time referee Jim Rondeau, heavyweight contender Pat McMurtry, businessman and sports supporter Stan Naccarato and Bill Gazecki, who was also a successful businessman and was actively involved in the community. Gazecki even served as president of the Tacoma Athletic Commission. Naccarato used his business connection to help keep a minor league baseball team in Tacoma in the mid 1970s. Rondeau traveled the world refereeing professional boxing matches between some of the most famous names in boxing. In 1974, he refereed the heavyweight championship fight between George Foreman and Kenny Norton in Caracas, Venezuela. After a successful amateur boxing career, McMurtry turned pro in 1954 and became a top-10 contender within just a couple of years. On the photo, Naccarato wrote McMurtry a brief note, wishing him a happy, upcoming 1960 year. McMurtry's pro career was ended in late 1959 when he was knocked out for about 17 minutes in a fight in Portland.Lexicon
Search Terms
Boxing, Professional/Semi-ProRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Rondeau, JimPerson or Organization
McMurtry, PatPerson or Organization
Naccarato, StanPerson or Organization
Gazecki, BillPerson or Organization
Rondeau, Jimmy