Len Harvey

LEN HARVEY d1976. English boxer of the 1930-40s. A great tactician and defensive boxer who boxed at every weight division of his day. He began boxing at the very young age of 12 and boxed until he was 36. He was British champion at three weights ; middleweight / light-heavy and heavyweight. He also held the British Empire championship at light-heavy and heavyweight as well as being recognised as world light-heavyweight champion in Britain from 1939–1942. During World War 2 Harvey joined the RAF. By this time he was a national sporting idol and was given an officer rank. At this time he was persuaded to defend his titles against Freddie Mills on 20th June 1942. He was by now 35 years old and a veteran of over a hundred bouts ; he was knocked out in two rounds, only the second time he was stopped and the first by KO. He retired after this bout with an official record of 133 fights, (111 wins / 9 draws and 13 defeats). He claimed to have had 418 bouts, but these probably including booth fights. His three fights against Jock McAvoy became legendary (winning two and losing one). He died in London on 28th November 1976. Such was his legend that he was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 2008.