NAMPA – Herb Carlson, one of Wallace’s most celebrated native sons, passed away on Sept. 6, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate throughout Idaho. 

Widely considered the greatest boxer in the state’s history, Carlson compiled an impressive 41-3-1 record, supported by a long list of awards and accolades. 

His nephew Axel, who still lives in the Silver Valley, fondly recalls his uncle’s remarkable 100-year journey. 

Born in Wallace in 1925, Carlson discovered boxing early—his father gave him his first pair of gloves at age six. He spent his youth sparring with his brothers and other local kids, steadily honing his skills. After a standout four-year high school career, Carlson planned to box in college. But in 1943, just a month after graduation, he was inducted into the United States Army Air Corps. He flew B-25 bombers but never saw active combat. 

After his service, Carlson returned to Wallace and began coaching. His talent soon caught the attention of University of Idaho boxing coach Frank Young, who recruited Carlson and two other Wallace fighters to join the Vandal boxing squad. 

Carlson’s collegiate career was nothing short of dominant. He opened with a 22-fight win streak, captured four consecutive Pacific Coast Conference individual titles, and won three national championships. He also contributed to two conference team titles and one national team championship. 

His fights drew crowds across the country, but Axel remembers the local bouts best—especially those held in Wallace’s Civic Auditorium. 

Among Carlson’s most memorable matches were his bouts against Gonzaga’s Carl Maxey, one of only three fighters to defeat him, and Syracuse’s Jim Rollier, whom Carlson beat for the 1950 165-pound national title. 

For his achievements, Carlson received the prestigious La Rowe Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top collegiate boxer—making him the first Idaho student-athlete to earn the honor. 

In 1948, Carlson tried out for the U.S. Olympic boxing team, but a leg infection ended that dream. 

After college, Carlson chose not to pursue a professional boxing career. Instead, he settled in the Boise area, where he ran a sporting goods store until retiring in the early 1990s. 

“I can remember a time I was visiting him in Boise,” Axel said. “I asked him why he didn’t go pro. He looked at me and says, ‘Axe, I just got tired of hurting people.’” 

Carlson was inducted into the North Idaho Athletic Hall of Fame in 1971 and the University of Idaho Hall of Fame in 2007.