Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
BECHEN, Fran
BECHEN, Fran. (Dubuque, IA-- ). Bechen began boxing in November, 1955 when the training facilities were located in the old American Legion building at the corner of Fourth and Locust, the later site of the SHOT TOWER INN. At the time, he was an employee of FARLEY AND LOETSCHER MANUFACTURING COMPANY. Bechen held a record for being the only boxer ever to quality six times for the Chicago Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions. Beginning in 1956, he compiled an impressive string of victories as the Open Champion of the Cedar Rapids Golden Gloves at 118 pounds.
Bechen continued in BOXING as an official in amateur and then professional competitions beginning in 1970. With only one year's experience as an AAU official, he was chosen as one of the top four officials at the National AAU tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada where in four days, including seven sessions, he refereed 11 bouts and judged 38 others.