Clinton Easley and James Watson In Boxing Tournment 1937

 Not much has been documented about Marion boys being involved in the art of boxing.  Here is an interesting article from The Crittenden Press, May 7, 1937.

Easley and Watson Annex Tournament Titles in Paducah Meet

 Clinton Easley and James Watson fought their way to Tri-State titles in the tournament sponsored by the Sun-Democrat, being held in Paducah.

Clinton Easley gained his title with one of the most powerful knock-out punches ever displayed in Paducah and had no trouble in winning over Willard Camp, Camden, Tenn., in the light-heavy weight division.

The bout lasted only one round.  Camp was floored twice before being counted out.  Swinging a punch loaded with dynamite Easley was master of Camp at all times and clearly demonstrated that his near victory over last year's champion was n ot a flash-in-the-pan type.

James Watson, in the opening session, in the 113 pound class, scored a technical knockout over Henry Jordan, Paduch, in the thrid round, and Wednesday n ight dowed Bill Walton, Benton, in a decisive fashion, leaving no room for doubt as to his superiority in the division.  Walton was floored three times in the first round and would have scored a knockout if the fight had not been called at the end of the second.

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Douglas Travis, lost to Jack Gatlin, Benton, in the feather-weight division in one of the biercest battles of the meet.  

A terrific jab to the heart gave the victory to Gatlin after Travis had fought one of the most surprising battles of the evening.

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Dick Moore drove power punches into the body of Clyde Swift, Camden, Tenn., in the 135 pound class but lost to one of the fastest and cleverest of entries.

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Mose Johnson refused to claim victory in the middleweight scrap with Tynes Benton, on a foul.

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Harold Winn lost his bout after putting up one of the best bouts on the opening card.

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The local fighters have had no ring experience and very little training, conditioning themselves as best they could within the past few days. 

Paducah sports writers highly praised the squad as the gamest and hardest punching of all entries.