Mike Lacche Boxing Magazine: October, 2013

Mike Lacche Boxing welcomes you, one of the more than unique 2,259 readers in 10 countries.

Armed Forces athletes are preparing to continue their respect athletic seasons this month in the face of the Federal Government shutdown. This includes the Armed Forces Championships the first week of February 2014.

Memories of Mike: Long before Mayweather, Ray Leonard, Mosely and De La Hoya was the World Welterweight Champion, Freddie ' Red' Cochrane.  The pride of Elizabeth, New Jersey, Cochrane and was the reigning Welterweight champion in 1942 but would not get to defend his title until the war ended. 

The WWII and Korean War eras marked a unique time in American sports history where many professional athletes joined the Armed Forces and would compete there in the sports they championed. This was perhaps the greatest unified venue of American athletics in our country's history.

Mike Lacche was an amateur but trained with the knowledge the Fort Kamehameha Boxing Championships could be his last. At the end of his journey, Mike would be an Army Champion - and then join his soliders overseas in the real fight of his life.

Mike Lacche Boxing Magazine: September, 2013

Mike Lacche Boxing welcomes you, one of the more than unique 2,194 readers in 10 countries.

September is an important month in the family history of S/Sgt. Michael "Mike" Anthony Lacche (La'KAY), United States Army Welterweight Base Boxing Champion, Fort Kamehameha, Hawaii, 1942.

September 10: Nick Lacche (brother, 125th birth anniversary is 2035)

September 19: Vildo Cerasoli (brother-in-law, family patriarch), birthday anniversary (centennial is 2016)

September 21: Mike Lacche enlistment anniversary in United States Army (1939).

When reflecting on his boxing career, Mike Lacche stressed the importance of boxing being a thinking sport; Mike compared boxing with chess except "when the king fell someone would get really hurt."

All of the Army athletes competing for the title were in good shape -- eight hours a day PT training in courses that most civilian athletes today would gladly sit out or only attempt one portion.

Part of Mike's training involved innovative uses of sand -- Fort Kamehameha was a short run from the Pacific Ocean and sandy beaches offered a good venue to train legs and core. Mike also practiced punching into sand to harden and develop muscles that his opponents may otherwise ignore.


Mike was a confident boxer but always approached each bout with the assumption his opponents were bigger, stronger and better. That 'me versus the world' attitude kept Mike alive during his 1942 title run, as well as, throughout World War II.
 

Mike Lacche Boxing Magazine: August, 2013

We are six months away from the centennial celebration of the birth of /Sgt. Michael "Mike" Anthony Lacche (La'KAY), United States Army Welterweight Base Boxing Champion, Fort Kamehameha, Hawaii, 1942.

It's been a long road and we salute all veterans past and still with us for their honor and bravery in defending this great country.

Memories of Mike



wikipedia.org

Mike Lacche was proud of becoming United States Army Welterweight Base Boxing Champion, Fort Kamehameha, Hawaii, 1942 and also earning the rank of Staff Sergeant during his military career.

Like many Americans who grew up fast without much money, the Armed Forces gave a sense of honor and community.

A Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army is an E6 ranking, non-commissioned officers who served as squad leaders. That meant that Mike had to lead a group of young men in a global war; Mike believed in leading by example.

Boxing became both a venue to lead by example, as well as, an escape for Mike to throw his full focus on a goal that only he could be responsible for. Mike took pride in the long history of Army Base athletics.

Mike Lacche Boxing Magazine: July, 2013

Mike Lacche Boxing thanks all Servicemen and Servicewomen, their families, loved ones and their communities for the greatest support, sacrifice and dedication any American can make to keep this country safe and free. On this month, as we all celebrate another Independence Day, let us remember those who put deeds above words, sacrifice about personal safety, actions about comfort.

Thank you!

This month in family history, Mike Lacche Boxing: July 27: Restoration of family name (25th anniversary 2019).

About Mike Lacche Boxing

 

S/Sgt. Michael "Mike" Anthony Lacche (La'Kay) 1914 -1989 represented the fighting spirit that our service men and women take every day when defending our freedom. In coming months, we look forward to sharing more about Mike's boxing career. We are preparing for Mike's 100th anniversary on February 13, 2014 which will include a limited edition trading card.
 

Joseph "Joe" N. Ermer 1918 - 2012 was a wonderful role model, artist, friend and true competitor. Joe Ermer was a WWII Veteran with the United States Navy and spent every day after his military service helping those around him. Joe was a passionate billiards player and always brought the best out of everyone.

Mike Lacche Boxing Magazine: June, 2013

Mike Lacche Boxing salutes the 2012-2013 Army Black Knights baseball team which won their second consecutive Patriot League pennant and went on to be one of 64 teams to make the NCAA Division I playoffs.

Navy is sending both its men's and women's rowing teams to the National Championships and we wish them well too.

Our site readership is nearing 2,000 and we thank everyone for your on-going support.

This month in family history, Mike Lacche Boxing:  June 13: Nina Cerasoli Lacche (wife), birthday anniversary (centennial is 2020)


Memories of Mike: Mike and brother Nick Lacche lost their father young; and like many in the same situation had to grow up fast. Mike left public school early and took on jobs to help do his part to support the family.

Some evenings, when he had a pocket of a few hours of free time, Mike would train at the old Berwick YMCA building, which was constructed in 1906. There he and friend were given the sports coaching that they missed out on because they could no longer attend school.

The Berwick YMCA had two stories dedicated to different sports and wellness, with the third floor for administrative offices. The building was located on a corner lot in a convenient part of town so that young people had somewhere constructive to go.

Mike was part of a boxing class/team that met Tuesday and Thursday evenings, where dedicated coaches would teach the young men the fundamentals of the sport; Mike learning like a sponge, punched with the force of a heavyweight and had no fear taking on bigger opponents. In short, the seeds of a future champion were planted.