[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 140 (Thursday, October 8, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S12026]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DETROIT ATHLETIC CLUB HONORS CHUCK DAVEY
Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Mr. Charles Chuck''
Davey on the occasion of the Detroit Athletic Club's Fall Boxing
Classic.
This year's honoree began his impressive boxing career while at
Michigan State University. Remarkably, Chuck won his first NCAA
Championship at age 17, a collegiate record, and was the NCAA's only
four time boxing champion in four different weight classes. He also
served as Captain and was recognized as an Outstanding Boxer from 1947-
1949. Deservedly, he is viewed to be the greatest collegiate boxer of
all time.''
He was a member of the 1948 Olympic Team and is one of the finest
professional boxers ever to come out of Detroit. From October 1949 to
January of 1953, Chuck went through 39 bouts without a loss, scoring 25
kayos, taking 12 decisions and participating in two draws.
When Chuck turned professional as a welterweight, Davey defeated
champions Rocky Graziano, Johnny Saxton, Carmen Bassilio and Ike
Williams. At Chicago stadium in 1953, before the largest ever paid
indoor attendance in boxing history, Davey fought world champion Kid''
Gavilan. Chuck proved to be a true sports hero.
Since retiring from boxing in 1955, he was a color broadcaster on
WCAR with Bruce Martin for MSU football games. He also served as
Michigan's Boxing Commissioner from 1965 to 1980 and was one of the
founders and the first President of the United States Boxing
Association. In addition, he served four terms as Vice President of the
World Boxing Association.
For his lifetime of accomplishments in the sport of boxing, he was
elected to the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1980 and just this year
was elected to the World Boxing Hall of Fame.
Throughout his life, Chuck has been a dedicated family man and
grandfather. He is married to Patricia and they are the proud parents
of nine children and enjoy nineteen grandchildren.
I want to express my congratulations to Chuck Davey for his
impressive achievements both inside and outside of the ring. He is
truly an inspiration.
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