Boxing is one of the original Olympic sports dating back to the first Olympics in 1896.
Monogram Smoker in Howard Hall, ca1950s (University Archives photo, click to enlarge)
Boxing was not a varsity sport at Columbia University or University of Portland; just something students engaged in for fun at the annual Monogram Club Smoker. On purpose. The club (whose members who had earned a varsity letter playing intercollegiate sports) sponsored and performed in the Monogram Smoker, a popular on campus fund-raiser. Howard Hall was often filled to capacity as spectators watched student boxers (and sometimes Portland-area talent) bob and weave to avoid jabs from opponents, jeers from the crowd.
Pat Mallon and Sarge Manion, Monogram Club Smoker, 1950 (University Archives, click to enlarge)
Monogram Smoker program, 1952 (University Archives, click to enlarge)
Carolyn,
Tracing the history of Olympic sports at U.P. is a good idea. I look forward to more. installments.