In his two years as an amateur in Texas, Turman accrued 20 wins and 5 losses, and one draw, he set a record for the quickest knockout in National AAU history.

In May 1959, at Madison Square Garden, Turman defeated Bob Cleroux, who a year later would win the Canadian Heavyweight Title.

This left Turman badly out of practice by the time of the fight, as there were no local heavyweights to spar with.

He had friendships with several of the best known boxers of his time, including Henry Cooper, Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Billy Conn, and Rocky Marciano.

Turman was married and had a son in Dallas in the late fifties, he began to seek work in films and television to support the family.

While living on the west coast, Turman befriended German boxer and wrestler Wilhelm von Homburg (who eventually had roles in several Hollywood films).

After von Homberg was diagnosed with cancer, he was visited by Turman for two weeks in Longview, Texas before going to Mexico where he eventually died.

After Turman's boxing years, he held various jobs including oil lease agent in East Texas and bartender and security guard at Binion's Horseshoe in Las Vegas.