Al Palzer
Al Palzer (January 1, 1890 – July 26, 1917) was a boxer who fought from 1911 to 1915, one of the "White Hopes" during the reign of world heavyweight champion Jack Johnson, an African American. The Palzer, who was German-American, fought in the heavyweight division at a weight of 218 to 228 lbs. Palzer was one of the first boxers to fight for the World White Heavyweight Championship title. Biography He was born on January 1, 1890. On March 9, 1911, he lost a newspaper decision to Frank Moran in a 10-round bout held in Brooklyn, New York. Moran had fought Johnson in a four-round exhibition in April 1909 in Pittsburgh and later lost a title match with Johnson in Paris on June 27, 1914. Palzer participated in a "White Hope" tournament organized by promoter Tom O'Rourke at New York City's National Sporting Club that was held in May 1911. Ironically, O’Rourke had managed the legendary African American boxers Joe Walcott and George Dixon. He also had signed Palzer to a contract before the tournament, and likely manipulated it so that Palzer could win. Other White Hope tournaments were created in response to O'Rouke's contest. On December 19, 1911, Palzer