The Seattle Athletic Club Rejects Prize Fighting
A newly formed club at the Hotel Northern officially bans professional boxing matches on their premises, signaling a shift toward amateur sport in the young city.
The Seattle Athletic Club completed its organization at the Hotel Northern last night by the adoption of a constitution and by-laws and by the election of officers. The question of whether or not the club should foster prize sparring contests brought out a vigorous discussion, but the final vote showed the sentiment to be against such exhibitions: 'No glove contests or boxing exhibitions for a money prize shall be conducted or permitted by or under the auspices of or upon the premises of the club.' The club elected James Goldsmith as president and Howard Thomas as secretary, with a membership list including notable names such as Will H. Parry. Plans are underway to secure a facility on West Street between Madison and Marion to house a gymnasium, billiard room, and baths.
“No glove contests or boxing exhibitions for a money prize shall be conducted or permitted by or under the auspices of or upon the premises of the club.”
In 1892, Seattle was deciding whether it wanted to be a rough-and-tumble logging town or a sophisticated city of 'physical culture.' This debate about professional boxing vs. amateur sports reflects the city’s early efforts to establish civic institutions that would differentiate it from its frontier origins.
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