Huron Boxers Displayed in Texas Museum
(boxer trunks, that is)
His U.S. Navy boxing trunks and robe are currently enshrined in the Corpus Christi, Texas museum.
George Theimer, who was born in Valley City, N.D. and moved to Huron in 1920, was an amateur boxer for a number of years, often settling his bouts in the old Daum Auditorium, which was located on Dakota Avenue.
Theimer, 87, now lives in Lamasa, California and makes at least two trips by car back to Huron "to see all my old friends."
While in Huron, a daily routine is coffee at McDonald's, in the morning and afternoon, with his friends. One of those friends, John Rose, contacted this writer for a story.
Among the other coffee friends a Bill Smith, John Smith, Don Hanley, Bill Jones, Jim Dunbar, Clyde Dillman and Matt Riley. During one of those recent coffee sessions, Theimer recalls his early introduction to the art of boxing coming in the high school classroom, after school hours.
A.D. Shepersky was the science teacher "and we would push the chairs out of the way, put on our gloves and spar with some of the other boxers of the time including Floyd Fuglsang, who once was listed as the number one welterweight.
In fact, former heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis was in training in Sioux Falls and some of his team came to Huron and tried to get Fuglsang to turn pro. Theimer said.
Theimer said he started boxing at the afe of 16 and continued while he was in the Navy. He boxed for the U.S.S. Lexington ship and the trunks and robe he wore representing the ship are now in the Texas museum.
"I almost was court-martialed before I got out of the service because I wouldn't give up the trunks and robe," he said.
Theimer fought for the U.S.S. Lexington from 1936-41, and was 18 years old when he started. One of his most famous fights in Huron was against another "pretty good" local fighter, Pedro Baum. Theimer won that match and local boxing supporters couldn't believe it.
As of September 2002, Baum continues to live in Huron.
Some of the other local boxers of the time were Al Braun, Joe Stahl and Sorrel Top Seeman. Theimer remembers a fight between Braun and Mickey O'Day of Groton in the Daum Auditorium. "During the breaks, Al would hit the referee," Theimer Said. "The referee took it so long and finally struck back, knocking Braun out."
Unfortunately, the referee was suspended for a year.
He also fought in Ottawa, Iowa for $10. The fight took
place in a 12-foot ring and the boxers used 4-ounce gloves. There were no
judges, the Sioux City, Iowa newspaper served in that capacity, deciding that
the fight was a draw. Theimer estimated that he had 50 fights during his
career, losing three or four. "I would have turned pro," he
said, "but that's a rough game."
by Roger Kasa