Thomas Peter Rademacher (November 20, 1928 – June 4, 2020) was an American heavyweight boxer. As an amateur, he was a gold medalist at the 1956 Olympics. Rademacher became the only person to challenge for the world heavyweight championship in his first professional bout when he faced Floyd Patterson in Seattle on August 22, 1957. He compiled a 15-7-1 record over 23 professional bouts.
A former college football player at Washington State, Rademacher took up boxing as a form of rehabilitation during his recovery from rheumatic fever, which he contracted in military school.
Amateur career In his amateur career, Rademacher won 72 bouts and lost 7. He won a series of tournaments, including the 1949 and 1951–1953 Seattle Golden Gloves (he lost in 1950 to Zora Folley, who was his frequent opponent throughout his boxing career), and the US Amateur Championship as a heavyweight in 1953—avenging his earlier loss to Folley.
He captured the Chicago Golden Gloves, the All-Army championship, and the Service championship in 1956, before qualifying for the Olympic team. At the Olympics, he captured a gold medal in the heavyweight division and served as the U.S. flag bearer at the closing ceremony.
1956 Olympic results Round of 16: bye Quarterfinal: Defeated Josef Němec (Czechoslovakia) KO 2 Semifinal: Defeated Daan Bekker (South Africa) KO 3 Final: Defeated Lev Mukhin (Soviet Union) KO 1 (won gold medal)
Rademacher also attended college, playing offensive line on the football team for Washington State.
Professional career
After winning the gold medal, Rademacher started saying that he would be able to become world heavyweight champion in his first professional fight. He made his belief public and was able to lure world Heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson into defending his crown against him in his professional debut. It is the only time to date that a fighter making his professional debut has challenged for the world heavyweight title.
The bout, at Sick's Stadium in Seattle, was refereed by former light-heavyweight champion Tommy Loughran, who himself had contended for the heavy crown once, vs. Primo Carnera, in 1934. Rademacher dropped Patterson in round two, but Patterson recovered and knocked Rademacher down seven times, defeating him by a knockout in round six. Legendary boxing promoter Jack Hurley promoted the match.
Rademacher fought Zora Folley, Brian London, George Chuvalo, Buddy Turman, and the former world light heavyweight champion, Archie Moore. He lost to Moore, Folley and London but beat Chuvalo, LaMar Clark, and Turman, among others. His last bout was with former world middleweight champion Carl "Bobo" Olson, whom he beat by decision.
Personal life Rademacher had Finnish ancestry; his maternal grandparents were immigrants from Finland. He was married to Margaret and had a daughter Susan (born c. 1954–1955).:File:Wife and daughter of Pete Rademacher 1957.jpg In addition to boxing, he was a salesman and inventor. He was president of the company Kiefer-McNeil which was founded by fellow Olympian, Adolph Kiefer. Rademacher died in Sandusky, Ohio on June 4, 2020, at the age of 91. Goul, Matt (June 6, 2020) Olympic boxing champion Pete Rademacher, 91, dies. cleveland.com His brain was donated for medical research.
Professional boxing record
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes23Win Bobo OlsonUD10Apr 3, 1962 22Loss14–7–1 Karl MildenbergerPTS10Jan 20, 1962 21Win14–6–1 Buddy TurmanTKO9 (10)Nov 30, 1961 20Loss13–6–1 Archie MooreTKO6 (10), Oct 23, 1961 19Loss13–5–1 George LoganKO2 (10), Aug 17, 1961 18Loss13–4–1 Doug JonesKO5 (10), Apr 29, 1961 17Win13–3–1 Dan VanderfordKO1 (10), Apr 14, 1961 16Win12–3–1 Harvey TaylorKO1 (10), Feb 22, 1961 15Win11–3–1 Donnie FleemanUD10Jan 23, 1961 14Win10–3–1 Willi BesmanoffUD10Dec 13, 1960 13Win9–3–1 Kirk Barrow10Dec 8, 1960 12Win8–3–1 George ChuvaloUD10Jul 19, 1960 11Win7–3–1 LaMar ClarkTKO10 (10), Jun 29, 1960 10Loss6–3–1 Brian LondonKO7 (10), Apr 26, 1960 9Draw6–2–1 Ulli RitterPTS10Apr 8, 1960 8Win6–2 Ulli NitzschkeKO7 (10)Feb 6, 1960 7Win5–2 Johnny York8Dec 9, 1959 6Win4–2 Buddy KeenerKO1 (10), Nov 12, 1959 5Win3–2 Calvin Butler10Sep 29, 1959 4Win2–2 Ralph Schneider3 (10)Sep 17, 1959 3Win1–2 Tommy Thompson5 (10)Aug 23, 1959 2Loss0–2 Zora FolleyKO4 (10), Jul 25, 1958 1Loss0–1 Floyd Patterson6 (15), Aug 22, 1957
See also Rafael Lovera Joves De La Puz Joko Arter
References
External links
Alternate record site Patterson vs Rademacher