Career
Overlin began boxing in the navy, having many of his early bouts in cities where his ship the United States.S. Tennessee was stationed. Overlin would do most of his work based out of Norfolk, Virginia and in cities along the American eastern seaboard. A middleweight contender by the mid-to-late 1930s, Overlin received his first title shot on September 11, 1937 when he was knocked out in the 4th round of a match with Freddie Steele in Seattle.
Overlin would continue fighting without defeat until 1945, scoring notable wins over Ezzard Charles and First Rate (at Lloyd's) Hostak, before his retirement.
Overlin is part of the 2015 class for the International Boxing Hall of Fame.