Fight Club

Leo Houck and his three brothers were athletic boys who excelled at pretty much any sport they played. Johnny Hauck (the brothers spelled their last names differently), second from left at front, played right tackle for St. Joe’s Catholic Club.

Boxing was king at St. Joes’ Catholic Club during the 1920s and 1930s. Johnny Hauck, at left, stands by as boxers get ready to rumble.

Later in life, though he only boxed a few matches, Johnny Hauck became the sport’s unofficial historian and a member of the Old-Time Boxers Association. He’s pictured here by the monument erected to his brother, Leo, at Buchanan Park in Lancaster.

Leo Houck began his boxing career in the turn-of-the-century as a scrappy thirteen year old.

The Eighth Ward Alerts, the team from Cabbage Hill, were Lancaster City football champions in 1907. They’re pictured here in the neighborhood with their canine mascot. Young Leo Houck is kneeling at left.

In perhaps the best example of Cabbage Hill tenacity, Leo Houck and his older brother, Ed, got into a pitching duel in the summer of 1908.

Leo, who pitched for the Jolly Rovers, is seated at right. His brother Ed pitched for the Lititz Athletics. On August 8, 1908, the two brothers pitched 16 innings against each other, striking out 14 batters each.

The Jolly Rovers finally won the game by a meager score of 2 to 1.

Leo Houck’s professional boxing career began in 1904. He is pictured here, posing for the photographer, in 1910.

By the time he retired from the sport in 1926, Leo had fought in 207 bouts, with 144 wins, in every class from flyweight to heavyweight.

After retiring from the ring, Leo Houck, seated at left, coached Penn State University’s boxing team from 1922 to 1949.

Also known as "The Blonde Tiger," Charles "Rosey" Stoy fought in over 200 bouts between 1917 and 1933. Among his many wins were 28 knockouts. He’s seen here getting ready to take a swing at Billy Pimpus in early 1922.

Tim Droney earned the nickname "The Fighting Harp" due to his rapid fire punching. He began fighting in 1910 at the age of 20 and fought in over 400 bouts in his 15 year career, including one match at Madison Square Garden.