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Boxing does not normally come to mind when someone mentions the Adirondack Mountains. In the mid to later 1900’s, Speculator was known for its boxing training camp by Osbornee Inn. The best known boxers who trained here included Gene Tunney, Max Schmeling, and Max Baer.

Gene Tunney was the defending Heavy Weight Boxing Champion when he resigned in the late 1920’s. He came to Speculator on an invitation from Bill Osborne, the owner of Osborne Inn’s son. His training included running the fifteen miles to Wells and back, rowing and swimming in Lake Pleasant, and of course sparring. Tunney trained in Speculator for three of his championship bouts including the two against Jack Dempsey from1926-1928.

Speculator became his legal residence and he even voted there from 1926-1928. While he lived there, Tunney attended mass at St. James Catholic Church in Lake Pleasant. He would charge $0.50 for people to watch him train. Proceeds went to Saint James. Tunney’s influence made Speculator a “well known” village. Many millionaires came to watch him practice.

After Tunney came Max Schmeling to train for his bout against Mickey Walker in 1932. And in 1935 Buddy Baer was getting ready for his fight with Jack Doyle. The boxing era brought prosperity and notoriety to Hamilton County.

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