Story: Gene Henry, Amateur Boxer

The following story is lifted from the Old Henry Howler Family Newsletter dated April, 1991, written by Dan:

I was sitting on one couch, eating ice cream we’d bought as a special treat to celebrate Dad, Mom, and Pat’s visit. Dad was on the other couch reading a book about Eskimo culture that Jim had loaned him. In the background, the TV was showing a fight between two mean-looking individuals. Dad looked over at me and asked if he had ever told me about his experience as a Golden Gloves amateur boxer. I knew of it, but I didn’t know the details.

As he started to talk, I grabbed a pad and took some notes for the very purpose of what you are now reading.

The story goes that Dad was 23 years old and living in Cleveland. He had graduated from Hiram and was getting ready to start law school. Joe McMann, a friend of his, had aspirations of fighting in the Golden Gloves, and Dad was helping him train. At some point, Joe changed his mind about going through with the fight. Dad, having trained, decided he would fight in Joe’s place.

When Dad came into the ring, he was wearing swimming trunks, tennis shoes, and a towel draped over his shoulders. Uncle Fred and Joe were in his corner as his managers. His opponent entered the ring wearing a silky purple robe, purple trunks, and—Dad thinks—the insignia on the back read “Little Bow Jackson.”

The bell for the first round rang, and from then on Dad says his memory isn’t very clear. Both fighters threw punches continuously. Dad said he was sure he had been knocked down at least once, but was told afterward that he had stayed on his feet the whole time. After the first round, a professional manager told Uncle Fred that he would take over. I asked why, and Dad said, “It must have been apparent that Fred knew as much about managing as I knew about boxing.”

After three rounds, Little Bow was declared the winner, and Dad had at least held his own. Little Bow went on to fight in a championship match, which he lost.

I’m sure Dad was disappointed (and somewhat disoriented) on that sorry day when he lost to Little Beau. But just think—had he won, it might have changed him somehow. Who knows, he might have changed his name to Muhammad or Kareem. I’m kind of glad he lost that day, because I like him pretty well the way he is now.

Thank you, Little Bow, wherever you are.

Sincerely, Almost Dan Jubar Asmid

THE REST OF THE STORY BY LINDA -
written December 2025

After reading this story I tried to find our more. All I could find was a refrence to a lightwieght boxer named Beau Jack who fought at least one bout in Cleveland, Ohio (Public Hall, 1944). Could this be the guy? Gene would have been only 19 years old but it's possible.

Read all the old Henry Howlers 1991-1992.