Ples Gilmore

Ples Anthony Gilmore Jr. (born September 3, 1929 in Bruce, Mississippi) was an American amateur and professional boxer who won the Featherweight Chicago Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions in 1950 at age 20, by defeating Arvis Hunter of Tennessee. In less than a year, he eliminated five standout amateurs, including 2 knock outs, to win the Golden Gloves Championship title at 126 pounds. Gilmore was also the silver medalist in the Chicago/New York Intercity Championships that same year.

Ples Gilmore was known as a hard puncher with solid, rapid firing left and right hand wallops that were fast and ferocious. He had a solid career as an amateur boxer, winning 105 of 120 fights and several championships both stateside and overseas, including the All-European Lightweight Title in 1959 while a member of the Army boxing team. He also competed in the Olympic Trials in 1952, 1956 and 1960. Gilmore attributed his success in boxing to manager Edward Hackley, "who not only taught him how to box, but also talked to him about life".