Bep van Klaveren


Lambertus "Bep" van Klaveren was a Dutch boxer, who won the gold medal in the featherweight division at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam. Van Klaveren remains the only Dutch boxer to have won an Olympic gold medal. His younger brother Piet competed as a boxer at the 1952 Summer Olympics.

Biography

Born in Rotterdam as Lambertus Steenhorst, he adopted the name of his stepfather Pieter van Klaveren when he was eight. After primary school, he worked as a butcher's assistant and fought in his spare time. He seriously took up boxing aged 16, and around that time changed to a vegetarian diet believing it fits better for a boxer. In 1926 he won the national flyweight title and in 1927–29 the featherweight title. After his Olympic success in 1928, he received a hero’s welcome in his hometown Rotterdam and was presented to the Dutch Queen and her prince consort.
In 1929 van Klaveren began a long career of professional boxer, which ended in 1956. In 1931 he became European champion in the lightweight division and in 1938 he won the same title in the middleweight division. During his professional tenure, van Klaveren fought on four continents and won fights against Ceferino Garcia and Kid Azteca. He also faced Hall of Famers Young Corbett III and Billy Petrolle.
In 1935 van Klaveren married Margarite Olivera, daughter of a banker. He lost much money through her excessive lifestyle and through his boxing manager. Van Klaveren was sentenced for one year for assaulting Olivera. He was released on bail after three months and fled to Rotterdam, leaving behind all his possessions.
During World War II van Klaveren served overseas with the Dutch army. He then moved to Australia with his second wife, an Australian nurse, and worked there as a sports teacher, dock worker, bouncer, and boxing instructor. He then returned to Rotterdam and retired in 1948, but returned to the ring in 1954 and won 11 out of 12 bouts. He retired for good in 1956 after an unsuccessful attempt to win the European welterweight title. The same year he married for the third time, and for several years ran a cigar shop with his wife, though with little success. He continued to train through all his life and did not smoke or drink alcohol. He died in 1992 in his native Rotterdam, aged 84. The same year a memorial statue of van Klaveren was installed in Rotterdam. The annual Bep van Klaveren boxing memorial was launched in 1993, and became the largest boxing competition in the Netherlands.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateAgeLocationNotes
110LossWerner HandtkeTKO5 Mar 19, 1956Ahoy'-hal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
109Loss80–20–9Idrissa DionePTS15Nov 28, 1955Ahoy'-hal, Rotterdam, NetherlandsFor European welterweight title
108Win80–19–9Horst GarzPTS10Sep 26, 1955Rivièrahal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
107Win79–19–9Freddi TeichmannPTS10May 16, 1955Kurzaal, Scheveningen, Netherlands
106Win78–19–9Emil KochPTS10Mar 21, 1955Rivièrahal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
105Win77–19–9Rafael da SilvaPTS10Jan 17, 1955Ahoy'-hal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
104Win76–19–9Terry RatcliffeTKO8 Nov 1, 1954Ahoy'-hal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
103Win75–19–9Jimmy LyggettPTS10Oct 4, 1954Haagsche Zoo, Den Haag, Netherlands
102Loss74–19–9Terry RatcliffeTKO4 Sep 6, 1954Ahoy'-hal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
101Win74–18–9Herbert GlaserKO2 Jun 21, 1954Ahoy'-hal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
100Win73–18–9Santos MartinsPTS10May 21, 1954Kurzaal, Scheveningen, Netherlands
99Win72–18–9Alois DewulfPTS10Apr 15, 1954Haagsche Zoo, Den Haag, Netherlands
98Win71–18–9Kit PompeyPTS10Feb 15, 1954Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Netherlands
97Win70–18–9Tino PierluigiPTS8Jan 7, 1954Rivièrahal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
96Win69–18–9Francois BlanchardTD6 Nov 30, 1948RAI, Amsterdam, NetherlandsThe bout was halted after round 6 because
of a cut over Blanchard's right eye
95Win68–18–9Jean WanesPTS10Nov 16, 1948Rivièrahal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
94Win67–18–9Albert HeyenTKO1 Nov 2, 1948Rubenspaleis, Antwerpen, Belgium
93Win66–18–9Hans NorbertKO3 Jul 28, 1948RAI, Amsterdam, Netherlands
92Win65–18–9Harry BosTKO5 Jul 15, 1948Apollohal, Amsterdam, Netherlands
91Win64–18–9Harry BosTKO4 Jun 22, 1948Apollohal, Amsterdam, Netherlands
90Loss63–18–9Luc van DamPTS15May 15, 1948Apollohal, Amsterdam, NetherlandsFor Dutch middleweight title
89Win63–17–9Leon FouquetPTS10Apr 21, 1948Rivièrahal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
88Win62–17–9Des JonesPTS10Apr 6, 1948Apollohal, Amsterdam, Netherlands
87Loss61–17–9Luc van DamTD9 Sep 5, 1947Olympisch Stadion, Amsterdam, NetherlandsLost Dutch middleweight title;
The referee halted the fight because
of a cut on Van Kleveren's cheek
86Win61–16–9Luc van DamTD5 Aug 10, 1947Stadion Feijenoord, Rotterdam, NetherlandsWon Dutch middleweight title;
The referee halted the fight because
of a cut on Van Dam's cheek
85Win60–16–9George PosnoTKO5 May 13, 1947Rivièrahal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
84Win59–16–9Jan SchoenKO4 Apr 15, 1947Hotel Krasnapolsky, Amsterdam, Netherlands
83Draw58–16–9Paul AltmanPTS6Sep 15, 1942Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
82Win58–16–8Mickey DanielsPTS10Sep 19, 1941Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
81Loss57–16–8Milt AaronUD10Mar 14, 1940Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, US
80Draw57–15–8Augie ArellanoPTS8Feb 24, 1940Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
79Win57–15–7Jay MacedonPTS8Jan 27, 1940Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
78Win56–15–7Ernie VighPTS8Jan 9, 1940New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, US
77Win55–15–7Cleto LocatelliPTS10Jul 24, 1939Doelentuin, Rotterdam, Netherlands
76Win54–15–7Assane DioufPTS10Jun 25, 1939Stadion Feijenoord, Rotterdam, Netherlands
75Win53–15–7Al BakerPTS10May 14, 1939Doelentuin, Rotterdam, Netherlands
74Win52–15–7Victor JanasPTS10Apr 3, 1939De Doelen, Rotterdam, Netherlands
73Draw51–15–7Jupp BesselmannPTS12Mar 9, 1939Sportpalast Schoeneberg, Germany
72Win51–15–6Paddy RochePTS10Feb 13, 1939De Doelen, Rotterdam, Netherlands
71Loss50–15–6Anton ChristoforidisPTS15Nov 14, 1938De Doelen, Rotterdam, NetherlandsLost European middleweight title
70Win50–14–6Henry RothierPTS10Oct 17, 1938De Doelen, Rotterdam, Netherlands
69Win49–14–6Edouard TenetPTS15Jul 17, 1938Stadion Feijenoord, Rotterdam, NetherlandsWon European middleweight title
68Win48–14–6Anton ChristoforidisPTS10May 23, 1938Nenijtohal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
67Win47–14–6Jean SimonPTS10Mar 21, 1938De Doelen, Rotterdam, Netherlands
66Win46–14–6Kid TuneroPTS10Feb 7, 1938Nenijtohal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
65Win45–14–6Pierre StepanciPTS10Jan 10, 1938De Doelen, Rotterdam, Netherlands
64Win44–14–6Jack UlrichRTD3 Dec 10, 1937Hotel Krasnapolsky, Amsterdam, Netherlands
63Win43–14–6Nestor CharlierPTS10Nov 8, 1937De Doelen, Rotterdam, Netherlands
62Win42–14–6Gilbert JamsinTKO4 Oct 11, 1937Hotel Krasnapolsky, Amsterdam, Netherlands
61Loss41–14–6Gustav EderKO8 Jul 11, 1937Nenijtohal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
60Win41–13–6Jomme WegnerTKO6 May 10, 1937De Doelen, Rotterdam, Netherlands
59Win40–13–6Charles PernotPTS10Feb 8, 1937Nenijtohal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
58Loss39–13–6Glen LeePTS10Nov 6, 1936Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US
57Loss39–12–6Jack CarrollPTS15Feb 6, 1936Sydney Sports Ground, Sydney, Australia
56Loss39–11–6Jack CarrollPTS15Dec 26, 1935Sydney Sports Ground, Sydney, Australia
55Draw39–10–6Al ManfredoPTS10Jul 12, 1935Frank Chance Field, Fresno, California, US
54Win39–10–5Kid AztecaPTS10May 24, 1935Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US
53Win38–10–5Carlos SalomonPTS10Apr 9, 1935Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
52Loss37–10–5Young Corbett IIIPTS10Feb 22, 1935Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California, US
51Loss37–9–5Young Corbett IIIPTS10Jan 28, 1935Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
50Win37–8–5Ceferino GarciaPTS10Dec 7, 1934Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US
49Loss36–8–5Ceferino GarciaPTS10Oct 30, 1934Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
48Draw36–7–5Joe RossiPTS10May 9, 1934Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
47Win36–7–4Eddie ShapiroTKO7 Apr 30, 1934Carlin's Park, Baltimore, Maryland, US
46Win35–7–4Frankie PetrollePTS10Mar 16, 1934104th Regiment Armory, Baltimore, Maryland, US
45Win34–7–4Phil RaffertyPTS10Jan 25, 1934Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
44Win33–7–4Benny LevineKO3 Jan 13, 1934Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
43Win32–7–4Tony FalcoPTS10Jan 5, 1934Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
42Win31–7–4Stanislaus LoayzaPTS10Nov 16, 1933Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
41Loss30–7–4Billy PetrolleRTD4 Jul 12, 1933Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, US
40Win30–6–4Herman PerlickPTS10Jun 5, 1933Bonacker's Stadium, Rensselaer, New York, US
39Win29–6–4Jimmy PhillipsPTS8Mar 31, 1933Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
38Win28–6–4Baby Joe GansPTS8Mar 17, 1933Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
37Win27–6–4Phil RaffertyPTS10Jan 9, 1933St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
36Win26–6–4Eddie RanPTS10Nov 28, 1932St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
35Win25–6–4Paolo VillaPTS8Nov 21, 1932St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
34Loss24–6–4Cleto LocatelliPTS15Jul 17, 1932Wielerbaan Kralingen, Rotterdam, NetherlandsLost European lightweight title
33Win24–5–4Victor DeckmynTKO5 Jun 5, 1932Wielerbaan Kralingen, Rotterdam, Netherlands
32Win23–5–4Len Tiger SmithPTS10May 2, 1932Gebouw van K&W, Rotterdam, Netherlands
31Draw22–5–4François SybilleSD15Mar 26, 1932Palais des Sports, Schaerbeek, BelgiumRetained European lightweight title
30Loss22–5–3Louis SaerensSD10Jan 5, 1932Rubenspaleis, Antwerpen, Belgium
29Win22–4–3Henri ScillieTKO4 Dec 16, 1931Palais des Sports, Schaerbeek, Belgium
28Win21–4–3Henri ScillieSD15Nov 17, 1931Gebouw van K&W, Den Haag, NetherlandsRetained European lightweight title
27Win20–4–3Harry CorbettPTS15Oct 21, 1931Colston Hall, Bristol, England, UKRetained European lightweight title
26Win19–4–3Jim HunterKO2, 2:45Oct 5, 1931Gebouw van K&W, Den Haag, Netherlands
25Win18–4–3François SybilleKO2, 2:45Jul 19, 1931Wielerbaan Kralingen, Rotterdam, NetherlandsWon European lightweight title
24Draw17–4–3Leen SandersPTS10Apr 20, 1931Gebouw van K&W, Rotterdam, Netherlands
23Draw17–4–2Franz DübbersPTS8Feb 17, 1931Sportpalast, Schoeneberg, Berlin, Weimar Republic
22Win17–4–1Paul CzirsonKO5 Feb 9, 1931Gebouw van K&W, Rotterdam, Netherlands
21Win16–4–1Jakob DomgoergenPTS10Jan 8, 1931Haagsche Zoo, Den Haag, Netherlands
20Draw15–4–1Paul CzirsonPTS10Nov 7, 1930Etablissement Sagebiel, Hamburg, Weimar Republic
19Win15–4Henri VuillamyPTS10Nov 3, 1930Gebouw van K&W, Rotterdam, Netherlands
18Loss14–4Len Tiger SmithPTS12Aug 2, 1930City Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
17Win14–3George PurchasePTS10Jul 5, 1930City Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
16Win13–3Charles van RooyenPTS10Jun 14, 1930City Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
15Win12–3Lucien PorthaelsPTS10May 7, 1930Haagsche Zoo, Den Haag, Netherlands
14Win11–3Charlie MackPTS10Apr 28, 1930Gebouw van K&W, Rotterdam, Netherlands
13Loss10–3Harry BrooksPTS15Apr 1, 1930Free Trade Hall, Manchester, England, UK
12Win10–2Haydn WilliamsPTS10Mar 17, 1930Haagsche Zoo, Den Haag, Netherlands
11Win9–2Leen SandersPTS15Feb 18, 1930Gebouw van K&W, Rotterdam, NetherlandsWon Dutch lightweight title
10Win8–2Jack HudsonTKO11 Jan 28, 1930Free Trade Hall, Manchester, England, UK
9Win7–2Horace BarberPTS15Jan 13, 1930Baths Hall, Swindon, England, UK
8Win6–2Billy StreetsPTS15Jan 8, 1930Connaught Drill Hall, Portsmouth, England, UK
7Win5–2Jack DedheeneTKO3 Dec 25, 1929Gebouw van K&W, Rotterdam, Netherlands
6Win4–2George PeckPTS15Nov 30, 1929Holmeside Stadium, Sunderland, England, UK
5Win3–2Leo NicolaasTKO7 Nov 18, 1929Haagsche Zoo, Den Haag, Netherlands
4Loss2–2Young LefevreDQ8 Oct 30, 1929Gebouw van K&W, Rotterdam, NetherlandsLow blow
3Win2–1Kid RobertKO4 Oct 14, 1929Haagsche Zoo, Den Haag, Netherlands
2Loss1–1Nicolas WilkDQ4 Aug 26, 1929Gebouw van K&W, Rotterdam, NetherlandsLow blow
1Win1–0Jules SteyaertPTS8Jul 29, 1929Gebouw van K&W, Rotterdam, Netherlands