Images(4)

Trophy

Object number2016.100.1 a-c

Date1936

OriginShanghai, China

MediumMetal/Silver/Jade(?)/Stone/Fabric

Credit LineGift of Frederick W. Lenn, Jr.

DescriptionSilver boxing trophy belt with fabric belt band.Dimensions(a and c together) Height 6.5, Width 11.188, Depth 1;
(a) Height 6.5, Width 9.25, Depth 1;
(c) Height 5.063, Width 3.25, Depth 0.375;
(b) Width 2.938, Length 72, Depth 0.031.
Inscriptions(a)
Center section has raised text at top "1936 / NORTH CHINA NAVY RELIEF / CHAMPIONSHIPS", inscribed text across center "Light-Heavyweight Boxing", and inscribe text at bottom "WON BY / FREDDIE LENN / U. S. MARINES / SHANGHAI / CHINA".

Proper left flanking oval has banner with text at bottom "FOURTH MARINES" and inscribed text below the banner "SERVICE CHAMPION".

(c)
Proper right flanking oval (detached) has banner with text at bottom "ASIATIC FLEET" and inscribed text below the banner "ALL ASIATIC".
Historical NotesThe belt is from Freddie Lenn's time in China when he won the "Light Heavyweight Champion of the Orient" at the All Asiatic match. Part of a collection that documents the military boxing career of donor Frederick W. Lenn, Jr.'s father, Freddie Lenn. Lenn was born Frederick Walter Lenkoski on December 29th, 1914, in Pittsburgh's South Side neighborhood. He learned to box at the boxing program set-up by Father Cox, the famous social activist priest from Pittsburgh. He began to amateur box in 1930, at the Frawley Athletic Club. At age 17, he won the lightweight championship in the Golden Gloves. A year later he enlisted in the Marines. He spent 1934 to 1936 in Shanghai where he continued to box for the military. He returned to Pittsburgh and went pro after signing with promoter Art Rooney. His last pro fight was in 1940. After Pearl Harbor he was called from the reserves and went on active duty in the South Pacific where he began his coaching career in the Marine Corps. He was a boxing trainer for the 1959-1960 Pan Am games where Cassius Clay participated. He was the first military trainer to become a head Olympic boxing coach for the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo. He retired from the Marines in 1968.

Previous owner Fredrick Walter Lenn Sr. (born 1914)

Related institution United States Marine Corps

Related person Father James Renshaw Cox (1886 - 1951)

Related institution Frawley Athletic Club

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