In Los Angeles on March 13, 1948 at the Shrine auditorium, in front of a huge 5,500 crowd, Clancy Ross entered the Mr. USA contest, open to all professional bodybuilders. The line up of former top title holders included Eric Pederson, Floyd Page, Al Stephen, Jim Payne, Leo Stern and Steve Reeves. Jack La Lanne put on a hand balancing act, Pudgy Stockton, the first real lady bodybuilder, was there and the Mighty Mac Bachelor defended his wrist wrestling championship.Clancy Ross won 1st place. Steve Reeves, Mr. America 1947, came second and Alan Stephen a former Mr. America also, came in 3rd.
