The first round grimace by Sammy Patton, left, a 118-pounder from Columbus, Ohio, was just a preface to his whirlwind finish that won a decision over Claude Cole of Chicago at the Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions in February 1947.

The first round grimace by Sammy Patton, left, a 118-pounder from Columbus, Ohio, was just a preface to his whirlwind finish that won a decision over Claude Cole of Chicago at the Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions in February 1947. (Chicago Tribune)

Vintage: the early years of Chicago-born Golden Gloves amateur boxing

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In 1923, the Tribune organized an amateur boxing tournament that would be the foundation of what would become formally called the Golden Gloves. This event was what the Tribune called “a great boxing carnival … the greatest amateur boxing tournament ever held in Chicago,” featuring some 424 young men fighting over three March days at the Ashland Boulevard auditorium. It was the brainchild of the newspaper’s sports editor Arch Ward. The Golden Gloves tag was first attached to fights that took place on March 24, 1928. At the Coliseum, eight Chicago boxers fought eight boxers from New York to an 8-8 tie. Growth was rapid, as Golden Gloves organizations formed in cities across the country and the globe. This is the 100th year of the event in Chicago and is the longest-running and largest non-national amateur boxing event in America.

The first round grimace by Sammy Patton, left, a 118-pounder from Columbus, Ohio, was just a preface to his whirlwind finish that won a decision over Claude Cole of Chicago at the Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions in February 1947.

The first round grimace by Sammy Patton, left, a 118-pounder from Columbus, Ohio, was just a preface to his whirlwind finish that won a decision over Claude Cole of Chicago at the Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions in February 1947. (Chicago Tribune)

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Three rings of action kept the heads of fans moving during the 27th annual Golden Gloves tournament on opening night at the Chicago Stadium on March 1, 1954.

Three rings of action kept the heads of fans moving during the 27th annual Golden Gloves tournament on opening night at the Chicago Stadium on March 1, 1954. (Chicago Tribune)

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Young fans in front of Chicago Stadium's three rings at a Golden Gloves tournament in February 1940.

Young fans in front of Chicago Stadium's three rings at a Golden Gloves tournament in February 1940. (Chicago Tribune)

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The March 25, 1923, Chicago Daily Tribune reported on the first ever amateur boxing tournament held in Chicago that would become known as the Golden Gloves.

The March 25, 1923, Chicago Daily Tribune reported on the first ever amateur boxing tournament held in Chicago that would become known as the Golden Gloves. (Chicago Tribune )

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Art Burmeister, a 135-pounder, steps on to the scales during the final examinations for the Chicago sectional trials for the Golden Gloves tournament. Edward Blohm, left, registers the boxers while Joe Miller, right, checks their weight on Feb. 3, 1947, at Traftons’ gymnasium.

Art Burmeister, a 135-pounder, steps on to the scales during the final examinations for the Chicago sectional trials for the Golden Gloves tournament. Edward Blohm, left, registers the boxers while Joe Miller, right, checks their weight on Feb. 3, 1947, at Traftons’ gymnasium. (Chicago Tribune)

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Two famous professional fighters officiate while amateurs exchange punches in preliminary bouts at the Golden Gloves in 1931. William Stribling, left, is refereeing a bout between Tony Sutton and Peter Smagatz. A crowd of 40,000, the largest ever to see an amateur ring show, was on hand.

Two famous professional fighters officiate while amateurs exchange punches in preliminary bouts at the Golden Gloves in 1931. William Stribling, left, is refereeing a bout between Tony Sutton and Peter Smagatz. A crowd of 40,000, the largest ever to see an amateur ring show, was on hand. (Chicago Tribune)

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A group of boxers pause for a photographer at Stillman Gym, at 8th Avenue and 54th Street, where they were training for an inter-city Golden Gloves tournament on May 18, 1938.

A group of boxers pause for a photographer at Stillman Gym, at 8th Avenue and 54th Street, where they were training for an inter-city Golden Gloves tournament on May 18, 1938. (Chicago Tribune)

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Chicago's Golden Gloves team bade family and friends good-bye as they boarded a train at the La Salle Street station in March 1938 to travel to New York for a tournament at Madison Square Garden.

Chicago's Golden Gloves team bade family and friends good-bye as they boarded a train at the La Salle Street station in March 1938 to travel to New York for a tournament at Madison Square Garden. (Chicago Tribune)

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Glen Murphy, 8, of 4305 W. 21st Place, of Epiphany School, takes a lesson from Tommy James, professional welterweight, on how to cut down to size John Sojka, of 4403 South Francisco, of Kelly School, in 1944 for the Golden Gloves.

Glen Murphy, 8, of 4305 W. 21st Place, of Epiphany School, takes a lesson from Tommy James, professional welterweight, on how to cut down to size John Sojka, of 4403 South Francisco, of Kelly School, in 1944 for the Golden Gloves. (Chicago Tribune)

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The Golden Gloves international bouts in May 1939.

The Golden Gloves international bouts in May 1939. (Chicago Tribune)

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A boxer in between rounds during the Golden Gloves tournament in 1942.

A boxer in between rounds during the Golden Gloves tournament in 1942. (Chicago Tribune)

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A candid view shows fans excitedly watching the action in May 1938 during the international bouts for the Golden Gloves. Enthusiasm was high, especially among Chicagoans claiming the same native country as some of the fighters.

A candid view shows fans excitedly watching the action in May 1938 during the international bouts for the Golden Gloves. Enthusiasm was high, especially among Chicagoans claiming the same native country as some of the fighters. (Chicago Tribune)

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Johnny Bratton was a Golden Gloves favorite around Chicago before turning pro. His career included 60 wins, 34 by knockout, and a world welterweight title in 1951. Here, he dukes it out with a 5-year-old at Sheil House on South Michigan Avenue in 1946.

Johnny Bratton was a Golden Gloves favorite around Chicago before turning pro. His career included 60 wins, 34 by knockout, and a world welterweight title in 1951. Here, he dukes it out with a 5-year-old at Sheil House on South Michigan Avenue in 1946. (Chicago Tribune)

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Blackhawks hockey players Cully Dahlstrom, left, and Phil Hergesheimer at the Golden Gloves in 1941.

Blackhawks hockey players Cully Dahlstrom, left, and Phil Hergesheimer at the Golden Gloves in 1941. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

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The New York Golden Gloves team lost little time getting down to work after arriving in Chicago on March 30, 1931, and starting practice that day at Medinah Athletic Club gym before a tournament at Chicago Stadium.

The New York Golden Gloves team lost little time getting down to work after arriving in Chicago on March 30, 1931, and starting practice that day at Medinah Athletic Club gym before a tournament at Chicago Stadium. (Chicago Tribune)

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Unidentified boxers in a 1936 photo show a new timing device for Golden Gloves bouts.

Unidentified boxers in a 1936 photo show a new timing device for Golden Gloves bouts. (Chicago Tribune)

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Liberace, left, during an appearance at the Chez Paree nightclub in 1957, receives tickets to Golden Gloves matches from the organization's officials.

Liberace, left, during an appearance at the Chez Paree nightclub in 1957, receives tickets to Golden Gloves matches from the organization's officials. (Chicago Tribune archive)

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WGN-TV operated from the organ loft at the Chicago Stadium during the first scheduled telecast of the Golden Gloves fights on March 5, 1948.

WGN-TV operated from the organ loft at the Chicago Stadium during the first scheduled telecast of the Golden Gloves fights on March 5, 1948. (Robert MacKay/Chicago Tribune)

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New York's Golden Gloves winners arrive in Chicago on the 20th Century Limited in March 1930.

New York's Golden Gloves winners arrive in Chicago on the 20th Century Limited in March 1930. (Swain Scalf/Chicago Tribune)

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Chicago's 1951 Golden Gloves team.

Chicago's 1951 Golden Gloves team. (Chicago Tribune)

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Al Sanchez, a 112-pound fighter, and his Catholic Youth Organization coach, Dick Fitzpatrick, before the south section Golden Gloves bouts at St. Sabina gymnasium in 1946.

Al Sanchez, a 112-pound fighter, and his Catholic Youth Organization coach, Dick Fitzpatrick, before the south section Golden Gloves bouts at St. Sabina gymnasium in 1946. (Chicago Tribune)

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Eyes closed, Tony Madigan, left, brings up a left hook that pops back the head of Chicago's Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) in the 175-pound inter-city Golden Gloves title bout at the Chicago Stadium on March 25, 1959. Clay, only 17, won an upset decision to puncture the ballyhoo bubble of 29-year old Madigan.

Eyes closed, Tony Madigan, left, brings up a left hook that pops back the head of Chicago's Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) in the 175-pound inter-city Golden Gloves title bout at the Chicago Stadium on March 25, 1959. Clay, only 17, won an upset decision to puncture the ballyhoo bubble of 29-year old Madigan. (Chicago's American)

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The cast and crew films at Rainbo Arena in Chicago on Nov. 25, 1949, for “The Golden Gloves Story,” a fictional movie the Chicago Tribune produced about the boxing tournament.

The cast and crew films at Rainbo Arena in Chicago on Nov. 25, 1949, for “The Golden Gloves Story,” a fictional movie the Chicago Tribune produced about the boxing tournament. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

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Crews film a the scene for “The Golden Gloves Story” in the middle of Clark Street outside Rainbo Arena in Chicago in 1949.

Crews film a the scene for “The Golden Gloves Story” in the middle of Clark Street outside Rainbo Arena in Chicago in 1949. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

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Diego Carrion, left, hits Mike McCarthy with a left in a heavyweight novice division bout in North Sectional Golden Gloves action in 1974. Carrion scored a victory in the fight at the Northwest Armory.

Diego Carrion, left, hits Mike McCarthy with a left in a heavyweight novice division bout in North Sectional Golden Gloves action in 1974. Carrion scored a victory in the fight at the Northwest Armory. (Ray Gora/Chicago Tribune)

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