1936 started on a more positive note, as far as boxing went, as Charley set his sights on the national Amateur Athletic Union championships and a possible Olympic berth. Despite the Saint Patrick’s Day floods that devastated the area in March of that year, the worst in the city’s history, normality was resumed as soon as possible and the people of Pittsburgh continued with their daily lives. A tournament was organized for April as a ‘Flood Relief Fund-raiser’ and Charley, as one of the city’s top amateurs, was invited to appear. Prior to that, an intercity match was held in Cleveland. The Pittsburgh team came away with a narrow victory and Charley played his part by defeating Jimmie Smith by KO. For the fund-raiser at the Syria Mosque tickets were available at $1, $2, $3, $4 and $5. With the promise of 14 inter-city fights that would feature top, local talent displaying their skills some 4,500 fans packed the venue. The appearance of guest referees Jack Dempsey and Joe Louis undoubtedly helped swell the takings to an impressive $10,000 for the flood relief fund and the Manassa Mauler made himself very popular with the people of Pittsburgh by covering his own expenses; he also bought 20 tickets and paid for 10 of the watches that were given out a prizes to the amateur boxers. Jack may not have been so popular with local favorite Leo Sweeney who dropped a close bout to Howell King of Detroit in which the former heavyweight champion was the third man.

Other notable bouts on the card included the tall, muscular, Elbert Rooison of Detroit, who gave the fans something to remember by breaking Tony Galento’s Pittsburgh KO record by stopping Tony Olercheck in 13 seconds flat; Galento had once won in 14 seconds at the Motor Square Garden against George Panka. Another of the Detroit fighters on show was the murderous-punching Milton Shivers. The hard-hitting Detroiter forced referee Al Grayber to intervene in his bout with Bob Crosby of Superior AC. Charley Burley apparently did nothing special in a three round decision over Stanley Murszyk of Chicago.

Charley and the rest of the rising amateur stars had done their bit for charity, but there were more pressing matters at hand to attend to as in excess of 250 pugilists descended upon Cleveland to dispute the 1936 national AAU titles. All of the semi-finalists in each of the weight divisions were promised a position in the box-offs for the United States Olympic boxing team, so the competition was intense. With such a massive field to whittle down to 16 eventual finalists it was decided to forego the usual rules pertaining to the national championships and the initial rounds were staged over three two minute rounds instead of the usual three minutes per round. At the end of three days of furious competition (fought in two rings) Charley made the welterweight semi- final along with fellow Pittsburgher, Leo Sweeney. The Lawrenceville boxer had quite a reputation in local amateur circles and had previously been Pennsylvania state champion at featherweight, lightweight and welterweight. In his series, Sweeney defeated James Pattisall of Danville, Virginia and Sweeney Byers of Chilocco, Oklahoma (both on points), while Charley defeated Mario Duchini of Sacramento, California and George J. Morrow of Philadelphia (also on points). KO artist Vincent Solders of Baltimore was looking to be the favorite for the competition as it approached the semi-final stage as he had disposed of both his early round opponents via the short route. Howell King of Detroit was also in contention for the title. In his semi-final, Leo Sweeney was drawn against King, whilst Charley appeared to draw the short straw as he was matched with the dangerous Solders. Leo Sweeney beat King on points to reach the final and Charley stopped the hard-punching Solders in the third round. Thus the final pairing was not just about a national championship, it was also about local pride as the Pittsburgh Boys Club (Sweeney), fought it out with the Superior Athletic Club (Charley Burley). Regardless of the result, the city of Pittsburgh was guaranteed its first national champion in ten years. With advantages in both age and experience Leo Sweeney was a little too good for his young rival and he gave Charley an effective demonstration of jabbing on the move. The Associated press said of the evening’s proceedings: “In the 147-pound division, two Pittsburgh boys fought it out and the victory went to Leo Sweeney. He decisioned his team-mate, Charley Burley, in a cautious bout that showed each fighter knew what the other had.”

In later years, Burley ‘protege’, Bobby Lipp asked Charley, “How did Leo beat you?” – the response was, “The best damned left hand you ever wanna’ see.”

Charley Burley (left) defends a jab thrown by Leo Sweeney in the 147lb (welterweight) AAU finals – Cleveland, April 1936.