CLARK, LAMAR SIGNED PHOTO

LaMar Clark was a Utah chicken farmer who left the farm to seek his fame and fortune in the boxing ring. He attended Cedar City High School, where he played football, basketball, baseball. He embarked on an amateur career and in 1956 captured the Inter-Mountain AAU and Golden Gloves Heavyweight Titles. He was also a quarter-finalist at the Western Golden Gloves in Chicago. In 1957, Clark became the Inter-Mountain AAU Heavyweight Champion, was a quarter-finalist in the National AAU Championships in Boston and won regional Golden Gloves at heavyweight. According to AP reports from December 2, 1958, his final amateur record was 25 wins and 2 losses. Clark turned professional in the same boxing stable as two-time World Middleweight Champion Gene Fullmer. Clark developed the same mauling and brawling style as the champion. He also sparred with Fullmer's brothers Don and Jay. After winning his first fight by decision, he went on a whirlwind fighting campaign. He started racking up an impressive string of knockouts over a host of unknowns. Some of his opponents were professional wrestlers, others were local tough-guys. Clark was so confident of his knockout power that he fought six consecutive foes in one night. He knocked out all of all them--five in the first round. He also set a record for most consecutive knockouts: winning 44 straight fights by KO. Clark's best victory was over California heavyweight Tony Burton. Burton was 16-3 going into the fight. (Burton went on to an acting career, co-starring in the Rocky films.) However, Clark's knockout streak came to a halt when he was knocked out in an upset to Dominican Heavyweight Champion Bartolo Soni. Clark had a chance to re-establish his promising career when he faced Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) in Clay's sixth pro bout. However, Clay was too fast for Clark. Clark was not only knocked out, but his nose was broken. Not yet 28-years-old, Clark retired. However, he will always be remembered for his 44-0 knockout streak. LaMar Clark died November 5, 2006. Offered here is an original signed action photograph of Lamar Clark.
This is an original action photograph of Lamar Clark which he has boldly signed in black sharpie, "Lamar Clark How much guts does my friends and family have Get in the Middle." Not creased or torn. Bold, clear image. Clean front and back. 8" x 10."