| Stadium Name: | Coliseum Arena |
| Nickname: | Coliseum Auditorium, Victory Arena |
| Address: | 401 N. Roman St. |
| Location: | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Broke Ground: | 1921 |
| Built: | 1921 |
| Opened: | July 21, 1922 |
| Closed: | 1960 |
| Owner: | Coliseum Incorporated |
| Operator: | Coliseum Incorporated |
| Construction Cost: | >US$100,000 |
| General Contractor: | August Frank |
| Seating Capacity: | 8,000 |
The Coliseum Arena or Coliseum Auditorium was an arena at 401 North Roman Street in the Tulane/Gravier neighborhood of New Orleans.[1] [2] It was located at the corner of N. Roman St. and Conti St.[1]
In early 1921, John Dillon, Frankie Edwards and Al Buja formed a boxing syndicate, Coliseum Incorporated, to develop an arena.[1] On July 21, 1922, the 8,000-seat arena with capacity for 8,500 opened.[3] The arena was modeled after the Milwaukee Auditorium and Madison Square Garden with unobstructed views.[1] The total costs of the four-story steel-trussed white brick-sheathed building exceeded $100,000.[1]
The first event at the arena was a boxing match between local fighter Martin Burke and Charlie Weinert.[1] The arena held many boxing matches including fights featuring Jack Dempsey, Gene Tunney, Joe Brown, Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Willie Pastrano and Ralph Dupas.[3] [4] The final boxing match at the arena was held on December 14, 1959.[5]
Professional wrestling matches were held at the arena.[2] Professional wrestler Gorgeous George appeared at the arena almost a dozen times in the early 1950s.[2] [3]
The Coliseum also hosted college and high school sports events, music performances and public lectures.[3] Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at the arena in 1957.[6]
The Coliseum Arena closed in 1960.[3] [7]