History 21 The Podcast - 3.24 Scott LeDoux

Scott Ledoux served as an Anoka County Commissioner from 2004 to 2010. But years before his shift to politics, LeDoux, or “The Fighting Frenchman,” was a professional heavyweight boxer. In this episode, Scott describes his time as a boxer, as boxing commissioner for Minnesota, and how he decided to run for County Commissioner to serve Andover, Coon Rapids, and Fridley.

Hosts Rebecca Ebnet Desens, ACHS Executive Director, and Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator.

Scott LeDoux

1949-2011

In a letter to the residents of Anoka County District #5 as he campaigned for election in 2004, Scott promised to stay connected with his community with “a web site that will allow you to email me.” While the website www.ScottLeDoux.com in 2023 is owned by a boat loving human with the same name, the WayBackMachine captured snapshots of this Scott’s website.

Below is the biography Scott posted as it looked December 11, 2004.

“I am a Minnesota native, born in Crosby. My father worked in the mines for 42 years and was a Forty-Niner. I grew up respecting the value of work and giving my employer my best because I saw first hand, how hard my dad worked.

I was named All-State in football and recruited by many colleges. I attended UMD and played football for infamous Coach Malosky. While there, I started to box. I quickly learned that boxing required hard work and discipline. And I knew that my efforts alone, would determine my success. I won the Upper Midwest Golden Gloves Championship in 1968 and again in 1973, after I returned from two years in the Army.

Upon my return, I moved to Minneapolis and bought a home in Andover. My bride of two years was a dental assistant. Soon, I was driving for Consolidated Freightways at the time and continuing to box. I decided to become a professional and had my first bought on February 14, 1974. Many of you will remember some exciting fights here in Minnesota or may have watched them on television. I had a lot of fun during my career. My two children, now grown and married, were only three and 7 months when their Mother was diagnosed with cancer. She was given 6 months to live, but battled the disease for 10 years until her death in 1989.

During the 32 years that I have lived in Anoka County, I have been extremely involved with the community and state. Until recently, I have participated in as many as 50 charity events each year. I have served on the board of Make a Wish for 25 years and have helped plan and host their golf tournament for the past 5 years. Others, like the Harmon Killabrew Foundation, Boys and Girls Clubs, American Cancer, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Minnesota Epilepsy Foundation are some of the charities I have been involved with over the years. I must admit, some of my favorites have been to help individual families that were going through a tough time with an ill child or loved one, like people helped me when my wife was ill. In addition, I served on the Boxing Commission for 18 years and have been on the Racing Commission for the last three years. My most recent involvement was with the City of Andover in chairing the task force committee for our community center. Currently, I am a Realtor with Keller Williams Classic Realty in Coon Rapids, an occasional commentator for ESPN and Bud Sports for boxing, and speak at local churches and corporate events.

It is this spirit of giving back that has led me to this next step. My devotion to our community and state is well documented. I feel that I can make an impact on the county commission in assisting to solve the current traffic crisis that exists in the northern quadrant. I have the visibility to bring a bright light on the issues and the ability to bring people together to discuss the compromise necessary to create progress. Most of you know, I never walk away from a good fight, and this county and its families are worth fighting for.”

Scott LeDoux Fighting record