Len Harvey Explained

Len Harvey
Realname:Leonard Austen Harvey
Weight:Flyweight
Bantamweight
Featherweight
Lightweight
Welterweight
Middleweight
Light Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Height:6 ft
Reach:73+1/2 in
Nationality:British
Birth Date:1907 7, df=yes
Birth Place:Stoke Climsland, Kernow/Cornwall
Total:146[1]
Wins:122
Ko:57
Losses:14
Draws:10

Leonard Austen Harvey (11 July 1907 – 28 November 1976) was a British boxer. A great defensive boxer, he boxed at every weight division available at the time, from flyweight to heavyweight. He became the light-heavyweight and heavyweight champion of the British Empire, and was recognised as world light-heavyweight champion in Britain from 1939 to 1942. Harvey was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the class of 2008.[2]

Early career

British middleweight champion

Born in Stoke Climsland, Cornwall, Len Harvey started out as a flyweight at 12. By the time he was 18 he was ready to fight for the British welterweight title. He was held to a draw though by Harry Mason on 29 April 1926. His next British title shot came 2 years later on 16 May 1929. This time at middleweight against Alex Ireland. Harvey knocked out his opponent in the seventh round to become British champion. He made six defences between 1929 and 1933. He also fought Marcel Thil of France for the world middleweight championship. He lost on points in a close decision. (Thil was stripped by the NBA for failing to make a title defence by August 15, 1933, but he remained the IBU champion).

British light heavyweight and heavyweight champion

On 10 April 1933, he defended his title against Jock McAvoy. This ended in defeat for Harvey but two months later he was in the ring again challenging Eddie Phillips and won on points to become British Light Heavyweight champion. On 30 November that year he beat the then unbeaten Jack Petersen to become the British Heavyweight champion. He then went on to beat Canada's Larry Gains to become British Empire champion, but lost both titles in a rematch with Petersen being stopped in the 12th round on cuts. Harvey then went on to fight for the world title on 9 November 1936, but was beaten on points by John Henry Lewis. He then regained the British Heavyweight title by disqualification against old foe Eddie Phillips. In 1936, he starred in the film, Excuse My Glove. In 1938 John Henry Lewis retired after developing eye problems, Harvey was then matched with another old foe Jock McAvoy for British recognition of the world championship at Harringay Arena. This time he won on points on 10 July 1939.

Later career and death

During the Second World War Harvey joined the Royal Air Force. He was seen in the eyes of the public as a national sporting idol and was given an officer rank. During this time he was persuaded to defend his titles against Freddie Mills on 20 June 1942. Harvey was a veteran of over a hundred bouts and was 35 years old. He was knocked out in two rounds, only the second time he was stopped and the first by K.O. He retired after this bout. He had an official record of 146 fights, 122 wins, 10 draws and 14 defeats: he claimed to have had 418 fights, but they probably included booth fights. His four fights with Jock McAvoy were legendary; he won three and lost one. He later died in Plymouth on 28 November 1976 of a heart attack relaxing at his home and commenting to his wife he was feeling ill. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2008.

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateAgeLocationNotes
146Loss122–14–10Freddie MillsKO2 (15), Jun 20, 1942
145Win122–13–10Jock McAvoyPTS15Jul 10, 1939
144Win121–13–10Larry GainsTKO13 (15)Mar 16, 1939
143Win120–13–10Eddie PhillipsDQ4 (15)Dec 1, 1938
142Win119–13–10Jock McAvoyPTS15Apr 7, 1938
141Win118–13–10Manuel Kid AbrewTKO14 (15), Feb 15, 1937
140Loss117–13–10John Henry LewisPTS15Nov 9, 1936
139Loss117–12–10Jack PetersenPTS15Jan 29, 1936
138Win117–11–10Eddie PhillipsPTS15Oct 26, 1935
137Win116–11–10Marcel LauriotPTS10Apr 29, 1935
136Draw115–11–10Walter NeuselPTS12Nov 26, 1934
135Loss115–11–9Jack PetersenTKO12 (15)Jun 4, 1934
134Win115–10–9Jimmy TaranteDQ5 (12)Apr 12, 1934
133Win114–10–9Larry GainsPTS15Feb 8, 1934
132Win113–10–9Jack PetersenPTS15Nov 30, 1933
131Win112–10–9Carmelo CandelKO5 (12)Oct 16, 1933
130Win111–10–9Eddie PhillipsPTS15Jun 12, 1933
129Loss110–10–9Jock McAvoyPTS15Apr 10, 1933
128Draw110–9–9Eddie PhillipsPTS12Mar 13, 1933
127Win110–9–8Jack CaseyPTS15Dec 12, 1932
126Win109–9–8Glen MoodyTKO6 (10)Dec 2, 1932
125Win108–9–8Seaman Albert HarveyPTS10Nov 21, 1932
124Win107–9–8Theo SasTKO1 (15), Nov 14, 1932
123Loss106–9–8Marcel ThilPTS15Jul 4, 1932
122Win106–8–8Len JohnsonPTS15May 11, 1932
121Win105–8–8Jock McAvoyPTS15Mar 21, 1932
120Win104–8–8Jack CaseyPTS15Feb 8, 1932
119Win103–8–8George SlackPTS15Jan 17, 1932
118Win102–8–8Fred ShawKO3 (15)Nov 30, 1931
117Win101–8–8Jerry DaleyKO3 (15)Jul 1, 1931
116Win100–8–8Jack HoodPTS15Jun 22, 1931
115Win99–8–8Rene De VosKO1 (15)Jun 1, 1931
114Loss98–8–8Ben JebyUD12Mar 20, 1931
113Loss98–7–8Vince DundeeSD12Feb 13, 1931
112Loss98–6–8Vince DundeeUD12Jan 9, 1931
111Win98–5–8George SlackPTS12Dec 14, 1930
110Win97–5–8Dave ShadePTS15Sep 29, 1930
109Win96–5–8Henri VandevyvereKO1 (10)Jul 6, 1930
108Win95–5–8Charlie McDonaldKO2 (10)Jun 15, 1930
107Win94–5–8Steve McCallRTD9 (15)May 22, 1930
106Win93–5–8Frans StevensKO3 (15)Mar 4, 1930
105Draw92–5–8Jack HoodPTS15Dec 18, 1929
104Win92–5–7Jack HoodPTS15Oct 21, 1929
103Win91–5–7Alex IrelandKO7 (15)May 16, 1929
102Win90–5–7Frank MoodyTKO6 (10)Feb 21, 1929
101Win89–5–7Amedee DubusKO1 (10)Dec 17, 1928
100Win88–5–7Leo FrickKO2 (10)Dec 3, 1928
99Win87–5–7Johnny SullivanRTD6 (15)Oct 29, 1928
98Win86–5–7Auguste LengagneKO9 (15)Oct 1, 1928
97Win85–5–7Guardsman George WestDQ4 (10)Sep 2, 1928
96Win84–5–7Emile EgrelPTS15Jul 30, 1928
95Win83–5–7Auguste LengagneKO10 (15)Apr 24, 1928
94Win82–5–7Jean ForrKO7 (10)Mar 5, 1928
93Win81–5–7Kid NitramDQ14 (20)Jan 19, 1928
92Win80–5–7Marcel ThilPTS15Dec 12, 1927
91Win79–5–7Emile EgrelPTS15Nov 29, 1927
90Win78–5–7Jack EtienneTKO13 (15)Oct 31, 1927
89Win77–5–7Piet BrandPTS14 (15)Oct 16, 1927
88Win76–5–7Primo UbaldoKO2 (10)Sep 22, 1927
87Win75–5–7Billy FarmerKO2 (10)Sep 1, 1927
86Win74–5–7Charles ScreveKO2 (15)Aug 11, 1927
85Win73–5–7Emile EgrelTKO13 (15)Jul 7, 1927
84Win72–5–7Piet BrandDQ6 (15)Jun 5, 1927
83Win71–5–7Joe RolfeTKO10 (15)Apr 25, 1927
82Win70–5–7Joe BloomfieldDQ11 (15)Apr 4, 1927
81Win69–5–7Maurice PrunierPTS15Mar 14, 1927
80Loss68–5–7Len JohnsonPTS20Jan 13, 1927
79Win68–4–7Andy NewtonTKO8 (15)Dec 13, 1926
78Win67–4–7Nol SteenhorstPTS15Nov 22, 1926
77Draw66–4–7'Hamilton' Johnny BrownPTS20Sep 13, 1926
76Win66–4–6Nol SteenhorstTKO15 (15)Jul 4, 1926
75Win65–4–6Billy MattickKO7 (15)Jun 14, 1926
74Draw64–4–6Harry MasonPTS20Apr 29, 1926
73Win64–4–5Harry BentonKO3 (15)Apr 1, 1926
72Loss63–4–5Johnny SullivanPTS20Mar 1, 1926
71Win63–3–5Billy BirdKO8 (15)Feb 2, 1926
70Draw62–3–5Alf ManciniPTS20Jan 4, 1926
69Win62–3–4Edouard BaudryPTS15Nov 19, 1925
68Win61–3–4Henri DupontRTD2 (15)Oct 29, 1925
67Win60–3–4Glyn DaviesKO2 (15)Sep 26, 1925
66Win59–3–4Bill HandleyRTD8 (15)Sep 2, 1925
65Win58–3–4Harry KentKO2 (10)Aug 22, 1925
64Win57–3–4Jos LeukemansPTS15Jul 20, 1925
63Win56–3–4Terry 'Young' DonlanTKO2 (15)Jul 2, 1925
62Win55–3–4Fred BullionsKO10 (15)Jun 22, 1925
61Win54–3–4Pietro BianchiKO6 (15)Jun 13, 1925
60Win53–3–4Jos LeukemansPTS15May 14, 1925
59Win52–3–4Karel van 't VeldtPTS15Apr 30, 1925
58Win51–3–4Johnny ThomasKO1 (15)Apr 18, 1925
57Win50–3–4Walter MaloneyKO1 (10)Mar 30, 1925
56Win49–3–4Laurie GuardKO5 (12)Feb 19, 1925
55Win48–3–4Harry KentKO4 (15)Jan 26, 1925
54Win47–3–4Seaman Jerry HarrodKO5 (10)Jan 1, 1925
53Win46–3–4Sid CannonsPTS12Dec 8, 1924
52Win45–3–4Albert 'Young' DandoTKO4 (12)Oct 20, 1924
51Draw44–3–4Albert 'Young' DandoPTS15Oct 4, 1924
50Win44–3–3Bert SaundersPTS12Sep 20, 1924
49Win43–3–3Tim RowleyKO2 (10)Sep 1, 1924
48Win42–3–3Billy StreetsPTS12 (15)Aug 11, 1924
47Win41–3–3Albert HicksPTS15Jul 17, 1924
46Win40–3–3Wal JordanKO1 (10)Jul 3, 1924
45Win39–3–3Young Freddie WelshPTS15Jun 19, 1924
44Win38–3–3Ernie JarvisPTS15Jun 2, 1924
43Win37–3–3Young ClancyPTS15May 17, 1924
42Win36–3–3Billy Will DaviesPTS15Apr 24, 1924
41Win35–3–3Bill RileyPTS15Apr 12, 1924
40Win34–3–3Matt GeorgeTKO3 (20)Mar 10, 1924
39Win33–3–3Billy Pop HumphriesPTS20Feb 11, 1924
38Draw32–3–3Bill RileyPTS15Nov 30, 1923
37Win32–3–2Billy Pop HumphriesPTS15Oct 22, 1923
36Win31–3–2Kid SocksPTS15Sep 21, 1923
35Win30–3–2Harry 'Young' JinksPTS6Jul 28, 1923
34Win29–3–2Nip WilliamsPTS8Jul 13, 1923
33Win28–3–2Fred BicknellRTD3 (8)Jun 22, 1923
32Draw27–3–2Young CallicotPTS8Apr 27, 1923
31Win27–3–1Bill LewisRTD5 (8)Jan 2, 1923
30Win26–3–1Jack PalmerRTD5 (8)Nov 17, 1922
29Win25–3–1Young CallicotPTS10Sep 29, 1922
28Loss24–3–1Kid KellyPTS10Jul 14, 1922
27Loss24–2–1Young CallicotPTS8Jun 30, 1922
26Win24–1–1Harry 'Young' JinksKO3 (?)Jun 2, 1922
25Win23–1–1Teddy GilbertPTS6May 5, 1922
24Win22–1–1Billy WilliamsKO3 (6)Mar 31, 1922
23Win21–1–1Johnny CotterRTD3 (6)Mar 17, 1922
22Win20–1–1Young O'NeillTKO2 (6)Feb 3, 1922
21Win19–1–1Johnny CotterPTS6Dec 27, 1921
20Win18–1–1Johnny CotterPTS6Nov 25, 1921
19Win17–1–1Young CallicotPTS6Sep 9, 1921
18Win16–1–1Harry 'Young' JinksPTS6Jun 24, 1921
17Win15–1–1Young RichardsKO1 (6)Jun 17, 1921
16Win14–1–1Harry 'Young' JinksPTS6May 6, 1921
15Win13–1–1Harry 'Young' JinksPTS8Apr 15, 1921
14Win12–1–1Harry 'Young' JinksPTS6Mar 18, 1921
13Win11–1–1Harry 'Young' JinksPTS?Feb 25, 1921
12Win10–1–1Harry 'Young' JinksPTS6Feb 4, 1921
11Win9–1–1Teddy GilbertPTS6Dec 27, 1920
10Draw8–1–1Young BallPTS6Sep 17, 1920
9Win8–1Young MacRTD1 (6)Aug 6, 1920
8Win7–1Kid RobertsPTS6Jul 30, 1920
7Win6–1Stanley's NipperPTS6Jun 4, 1920
6Win5–1Young ChipsRTD4 (6)Apr 30, 1920
5Win4–1Stanley's NipperPTS6Apr 9, 1920
4Win3–1Young FernPTS?Mar 19, 1920
3Win2–1Young EdwardsTKO4 (?)Jan 30, 1920
2Loss1–1Young FernPTS6Jan 16, 1920
1Win1–0Young KingPTS6Jan 2, 1920

See also

Further reading

External links

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Notes and References

  1. https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/17630?offset=0
  2. Web site: Len Harvey .

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