Earle Grady Booker was born on August 23, 1916Â in Alto, TX, and attended San Jose High School. At 5' 8" and 135 lbs., he was the Pacific Coast Intercollegiate Champion in boxing in 1934, defeating Harry Moyer of Portland, OR. He fought professionally as a lightweight from 1936-1937, with a record of 56 rounds in 12 bouts. He attended USF in the class of 1941, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1959 for boxing.
Last week Earle Booker carried the colors of the Green and Gold to Cleveland to compete in the National AAU Championships, only to be the victim of the worst decision to be seen in one of those tournaments in many years. Fighting against Thomas Pallatin of South Bend, Indiana, Booker, according to all reports, clouted the Indianan from one corner of the ring to the other— hitting him with everything but the ring posts. Imagine the surprise of the gallant Don when his foe's hand was raised in token of victory. This is only another instance of the "raw deal" which is evidently being given Booker. Only last week Booker was barred from further amateur undertakings in California, apparently because he was too good for the rest of his class. Now in the supposed National Championships, Earle is the victim of a trick which has become widespread in fistic circles, and which is playing a leading role in destroying the popularity of the fighting game (TheFoghorn).
His younger brother, Eddie Booker, was also a professional boxer and had a record of 66-5-8 in the 1930s and 1940s. Eddie was one of the famous Murderer's Row group of African-American boxers who were never able to have the opportunity to fight for a world title due to racial discrimination. Â
Earle Booker's son Kim was also a boxer, and was the Amateur Welterweight Champion in 1967.
