Freddie "the Tacoma Assassin" Steele (born Frederick Earl Burgett in Seattle in 1912) was first noticed by his future manager Dave Miller when, as a young teen, Steele practiced boxing at Miller's gym. Miller began managing Steele's career and also became a surrogate father figure for the talented young boxer. Steele won his first amateur bout in 1926, and did not lose a bout until his 47th fight in 1930. Steele won the Pacific Northwest Welterweight Title in January 1933 and his first world title in 1936, defeating Babe Risko for the World Middleweight title.

Here, left to right, are Steele's manager Dave Miller, boxer Freddie Steele, and trainer Jack Connors.