Trophy
Object number2016.100.11
Manufacturer
Dodge, Inc. Trophies
Date1935
OriginUnited States of America
MediumWood/Metal/Paper/Adhesive/Felt
Credit LineGift of Frederick W. Lenn, Jr.
DescriptionChampion of the Orient trophy. Square hollow wood base with gold metal ionic fluted pilasters on each corner and three gold metal plates on front with textual award information. Mounted on top of base are two gold metal boxers in the front corners and a round metal base at back center with an Asian arch and upright boxing glove on top. Green felt lines the underside of the wood base's walls.Dimensions10.5 x 7.313 x 7.313 in. (26.7 x 18.6 x 18.6 cm)InscriptionsThree gold metal plates on front of wood base:
Top plate has inscribed text: "MIDDLEWEIGHT / CHAMPION OF THE ORIENT";
Middle plate has inscribed text: "FREDDIE LENN / U.S. MARINES / SHANGHAI-CHINA / -1935-";
Bottom plate has inscribed text: "CRUISERWEIGHT / CHAMPION OF THE ORIENT".
MarksRound black metal maker's mark label inside base at center with silver text and decoration "DODGE, INC. / TROPHIES / NEWARK MIAMI / CHICAGO LOS ANGELES".
Historical NotesPart 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 won the "Light Heavyweight Champion of the Orient" at the All Asiatic match. 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
Terms
On View
Not on view
c. 1917
1963
Mervin Allen Corning
