When boxing and wresting were popular spectator sports in Layton

BOXING and wrestling were popular indoor spectator
sports in Layton from the 1920s into the mid-1940s.
“Athletic program for Layton fans” was an April 8, 1922
headline in the Ogden Standard-Examiner. Latonia Hall
was the site of this event and the bouts featured many local
boxers and wrestlers. Tom Layton of Layton was one of the
boxers, as was Elder Walker, another Layton resident.
Other sources state that Latonia Hall, 52 North Main
Street, was used as early as 1920 for boxing matches.
On Feb. 4, 1931, an “Athletic Carnival” was held in the
West Layton Amusement Hall, with both boxing and
wrestling matches. Admission costs for that event was 75
cents for reserved seats; 50 cents general admission and
25 cents for children.
According to the Davis County Clipper of April 3, 1942, a
“Boxing Carnival” was held at the Layton Ward Recreation
Hall several days prior. There were eight different boxing
matches and one wrestling competition, attended by
hundreds. Coach Howard “Tuff” Linford of Davis High
School, as well as Bob Carver were the referees.
The Layton Jaycees organized a 15-round rings show on
Dec. 28, 1946 at Davis High School. There were ten boxing
matches and five wrestling matches. All admissions to that
event was $1 a person.
By the 1950s, local boxing had lost its popularity and high
school wrestling became well organized to replace
independent matches.