While many of his peers began their careers as farmers and factory workers, Leo Florian Houck became a boxing sensation at age 14, enabling him to support his mother and six siblings after his father's death. Houck's career really took off in 1911 with a 20-round victory over world-class welterweight Harry Lewis in Paris. During 1913 Leo became the leading middleweight contender in America.
This biography details Houck's early years in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, his long career in the ring—including 200 fights—and his 27 years as Penn State's legendary boxing coach.