Print, Photographic

Photograph

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Shanaman Sports Museum

Name/Title

Print, Photographic

Entry/Object ID

2017.10.12

Description

Charles Larson, seen in this black and white photograph donated by Morris McCollum, began his boxing career in 1927 but chose a career path in medicine before becoming the chairman of the Washington State Athletic Commission, earned a Congressional Medal of Honor and president of both the National Boxing Association and World Boxing Association. Larson, a Spokane native, let go of his boxing aspirations after attending Gonzaga University and McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. During WWII Larson became interested in neuropathology and forensic medicine and investigated war-related deaths and testified at the Nuremberg trials. Upon his return stateside, Larson and his wife Margaret moved to Tacoma and served as WSAC chairman and his interest in boxing, including the Golden Gloves, continued. The WCAC licensed 1956 Olympic heavyweight champion Pete Rademacher made his pro debut against world champ Floyd Patterson in Seattle in 1957. Larson was credited with successfully lobbying for the padding int he floor mats to prevent head trauma among other advances. Larson was selected to the Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Hall of Fame for boxing and administration in 2009.

Lexicon

Search Terms

Tacoma Athletic Commission, Boxing, World War II, Professional/Semi-Pro, Recreational, High School, Olympics

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

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Larson, Charles

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McCollum, Morris

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Washington State Athletic Commission

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Congressional Medal of Honor

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National Boxing Association

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World Boxing Association

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University of Montreal

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Gonzaga University

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McGill University

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Larson, Margaret

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Golden Gloves

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Rademacher, Pete

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Patterson, Floyd

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Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Hall of Fame

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Tacoma Athletic Commission