Larry Gains


Lawrence Samuel "Larry" Gains was a Black Canadian heavyweight boxer who was champion of Canada and the British Empire. One of the top heavyweights of his era, he was denied the opportunity to become World Champion due to the bar on black boxers competing for the title.
Gains was recognized as the World Colored Heavyweight Champion twice in his career, and was the last to be recognized as such when the title became extinct after Joe Louis won the World Heavyweight title on 22 June 1937.

Biography

Gains was born on Sumach Street in the Cabbagetown neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on 12 December 1900. He took up boxing at around the age of twenty, after being asked to act as a sparring partner by Charlie Clay, and boxed out of Toronto's Praestamus Club, an organisation for Black boxers.

Professional career

After a successful amateur career, Gains made the decision to go professional, travelling to Britain on a cattle ship and making his professional début in London as "The Toronto Terror" in June 1923. Many of his early fights were in France and Germany, where he beat Max Schmeling in 1925. On 28 February 1927, he became Canadian Heavyweight Champion when he stopped Horace "Soldier" Jones in five rounds at Toronto. He later defended it against two of the biggest names in Canadian boxing at the time, Jack Renault and Charlie Belanger.
In 1930, Gains settled in Leicester, England, where many of his fights over the next few years were held. Noted primarily as a slick boxer, he KO'd Phil Scott in front of 30,000 spectators at Leicester Tigers' Welford Road ground in 1931, taking the British Empire title, although the colour bar was still in place.
The colour bar was lifted in 1932, and Gains cemented his hold on the title with a victory over white South African Donald McCorkindale at the Royal Albert Hall, the fight ending in an unpopular points decision for Gains, with his trainer Jack Goodwin collapsing and dying during the fight. Gains was the second black fighter to fight at the Royal Albert Hall, as Len Johnson was the first black fighter due to his contest with Adolf Pott being first. Gains went on to beat Primo Carnera in front of 70,000 people at White City, London in May that year, despite Carnera having an advantage of 60 pounds in weight and a four inches in height. He lost the British Empire title in 1934 to Len Harvey, and failed to regain it later that year, defeated by Jack Petersen in front of a crowd of 64,000 at White City.

World coloured heavyweight champion

Gains was considered one of the top heavyweights of his era, but was denied the opportunity to fight for the British Championship and the World Championship due to the rules against black boxers competing for the titles, instead competing for the "Coloured Heavyweight Championship of the World", a title that he won in 1928 and 1935. His income from boxing dwindled after 1934 and in 1937 he was declared bankrupt. In December 1938 he defeated Welsh champion George James on points. In 1939, with the advent of World War II, Gains joined the British Army as a physical training instructor. He served as a sergeant major in the Pioneer Corps in the Middle East. His last fight was a defeat to Jack London in June 1942, held to raise funds for the RAF Benevolent Fund.
Gains retired from boxing at the age of 40. He had 143 professional fights, winning 115 and drawing five, most of his defeats coming in the latter years of his career. Gains stated that during his career he won around 500,000, much of which was lost through gambling.

Later life

During Larry’s boxing career, he also trained at the Shoeburyness Tavern, which had a boxing gym. Many world champions visited and trained there before their big fights. Alongside his own training, Larry coached young adults, passing on his knowledge and passion for the sport. He trained in various places across the UK, including the George Pub, Jolly Angler, and many others.
Gains had a succession of low-paid jobs. In 1950 he was working as a labourer in Shoeburyness, Essex. In 1953 he was jailed for three months for stealing £222 12/5 from a British Legion club where he worked as a steward. He pleaded guilty and stated that he would repay the money. He successfully appealed against the sentence and was discharged conditionally after a "well known sporting gentleman" repaid the money along with the court costs. Gains went on to be the singer/drummer in a hotel band in Southend on Sea, Essex. In the early 1960s Gains was living on Tooting Broadway and working as a "salvage collection merchant". Gains later worked in car sales and as a boxing trainer in Morden, near London.
With his wife Lisa, he had four children, Betty, Harold, Anne and John. Gains' autobiography, The Impossible Dream, was published in 1976, the title a reference to his dream of becoming World Champion. Max Schmeling contributed a foreword. Gains died in July 1983 from a heart attack while visiting relatives in Cologne, Germany.

Legacy and honours

In 2020 award-winning author Mark Allen Baker published the first comprehensive account of The World Colored Heavyweight Championship, 1876–1937, with McFarland & Company, a leading independent publisher of academic and nonfiction books. This history traces the advent and demise of the Championship, the stories of the talented professional athletes who won it, and the demarcation of the color line both in and out of the ring.
For decades, the World Colored Heavyweight Championship was a useful tool to combat racial oppression-the existence of the title a leverage mechanism, or tool, used as a technique to counter a social element, “drawing the color line”.
In 2015, Gains was posthumously inducted into the Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.
The amateur boxing HABC trophy that Gains won in March 1922 was restored in 2021 on BBC1 programme The Repair Shop by silversmith Brenton West. The trophy was brought in by his granddaughter and great grandson.
In 2023, Gains was inducted into the British boxing Hall of Fame.
On 1 November 2023, the Government of Canada commemorates the national historic significance of Larry Gains at a special plaque unveiling ceremony at the Cabbagetown Boxing Club in Toronto, Ontario. The unveiling was made on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada.
On 12 December 2024, a historic blue plaque was unveiled at the Shoeburyness Hotel in Essex to honour Larry Gains on what would have been his 124th birth anniversary. Gains, who trained at the hotel in 1939 and lived nearby, led a remarkable life. The event was organised by the Nubian Jak Community Trust in partnership with the Gains family, celebrating his legacy and contributions to the sport and community.

Professional boxing record

All information in this section is derived from BoxRec, unless otherwise stated.

Official record

All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted in the win/loss/draw column.
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateAgeLocationNotes
146Loss117–22–5 Jack LondonKO2 Jun 6, 1942Caird Hall, Dundee, Scotland, UK
145Loss117–21–5 Jack LondonKO3 May 28, 1941New St. James Hall, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England, UK
144Win117–20–5 Sergeant ElemettTKO2 Feb 19, 1941Location unknown
143Loss116–20–5 Jack LondonKO4 Jan 25, 1941The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK
142Win116–19–5 George JamesPTS4Feb 12, 1940Aldershot, Hampshire, England, UK
141Loss115–19–5 Tommy FarrTKO6 May 17, 1939Ninian Park, Cardiff, Wales, UK
140Loss115–18–5 Len HarveyTKO13 Mar 16, 1939Harringay Arena, London, England, UKFor vacant Commonwealth heavyweight title
139Win115–17–5 George JamesPTS12Dec 12, 1938Pavilion, Mountain Ash, Wales, UK
138Draw114–17–5 Claudio VillarPTS12Oct 14, 1938Waverley Market, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
137Win114–17–4 Harry StaalPTS10Aug 23, 1938St. Helier Stadium, Jersey, Channel Islands, UK
136Win113–17–4 Pat MarrinanPTS12Mar 10, 1938Romford Road Baths, West Ham, London, England, UK
135Win112–17–4 Albert Di MeglioKO1 Feb 21, 1938Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, UK
134Win111–17–4 Bill WainwrightKO3 Jan 17, 1938Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, UKUncertain if this is Bill Wainwright
133Win110–17–4 Presidio PavesiKO2 Jan 9, 1938The Ring, Southwark, London, England, UK
132Win109–17–4 Pinkie JenkinsKO3 Dec 14, 1937Swansea, Wales, UK
131Win108–17–4 Jack PettiferKO2, 0:20Dec 9, 1937Romford Road Baths, West Ham, London, England, UK
130Win107–17–4 Hans SchönrathPTS10Nov 2, 1937Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK
129Win106–17–4 Charles RutzKO2 Oct 4, 1937Earls Court Empress Stadium, Kensington, London, England, UK
128Win105–17–4 Bert IkinKO1 Aug 14, 1937Poole Sports Arena, Poole, Dorset, England, UK
127Win104–17–4 Harry StaalPTS12Jul 6, 1937Working Men's Club, Llanelli, Wales, UK
126Win103–17–4 Presidio PavesiDQ7 Apr 5, 1937Colston Hall, Bristol, Avon, England, UK
125Win102–17–4 Alex BellTKO6 Feb 25, 1937West Ham Baths, West Ham, London, England, UK
124Win101–17–4 Presidio PavesiKO3 Dec 6, 1936The Ring, Southwark, London, England, UK
123Win100–17–4 Emil ScholzPTS10Nov 25, 1936White City Stadium, Hull, Yorkshire, England, UK
122Win99–17–4 Eddie SteelePTS12Nov 19, 1936West Ham Baths, West Ham, London, England, UK
121Win98–17–4 Bert IkinKO5 Oct 29, 1936West Ham Baths, West Ham, London, England, UK
12097–17–4 Jack LondonNC8 Oct 19, 1936Earls Court Empress Hall, Kensington, London, England, UKBoth men considered not to be trying
119Win97–17–4 Harry StaalPTS10Aug 3, 1936Athletic Ground, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, UK
118Win96–17–4 Emil ScholzPTS10Jun 15, 1936Welford Road Stadium, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK
117Win95–17–4 Maurice StricklandPTS10Apr 27, 1936Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK
116Loss94–17–4 Ben FoordPTS12Mar 9, 1936Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK
115Loss94–16–4 Ben FoordPTS12Nov 25, 1935Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK
114Win94–15–4 Obie WalkerPTS15Jul 20, 1935Welford Road Stadium, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UKWon world colored heavyweight title
113Win93–15–4 George SlackKO6 Apr 25, 1935The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK
112Win92–15–4 Charley SmithKO3 Mar 4, 1935Embassy Rink, Sparbrook, West Midlands, England, UK
111Win91–15–4 Raymond LepageRTD3 Jan 21, 1935Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK
110Loss90–15–4 Jack PetersenTKO13 Sep 10, 1934White City Stadium, White City, London, England, UKFor Commonwealth heavyweight title
109Win90–14–4 Vincenz HowerPTS12Apr 16, 1934Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK
108Win89–14–4 Casimir BeszterdaKO1, 2:00Apr 9, 1934Olympia, Bradford, Yorkshire, England UK
107Win88–14–4 Harry CrossleyKO5 Mar 26, 1934Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK
106Win87–14–4 Ernst GuehringKO7 Mar 5, 1934Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK
105Loss86–14–4 Len HarveyPTS15Feb 8, 1934Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, UKLost Commonwealth heavyweight title
104Win86–13–4 Jack LondonKO2 Dec 11, 1933New St. James Hall, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England, UK
103Win85–13–4 Piet van GoolKO4 Jul 8, 1933Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
102Win84–13–4 George CookPTS15May 18, 1933Olympia, Kensington, London, England, UKRetained Commonwealth heavyweight title
101Loss83–13–4 Don McCorkindaleKO10 Apr 13, 1933Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, UK
100Win83–12–4 Roberto RobertiKO3 Apr 3, 1933Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK
99Win82–12–4 Reggie MeenDQ4 Feb 13, 1933Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK
98Win81–12–4 Paul HofmanRTD6 Jan 9, 1933Town Hall, Leeds, Yorkshire, England, UK
97Win80–12–4 Michel MaurerKO4 Dec 12, 1932King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England, UK
96Win79–12–4 Hermann JaspersKO3 Dec 4, 1932The Ring, Southwark, London, England, UK
95Win78–12–4 Marcel MoretKO1, 0:34Nov 28, 1932Olympia, Bradford, Yorkshire, England UK
94Loss77–12–4 Walter NeuselUD10Oct 17, 1932Palais des Sports, Paris, France
93Win77–11–4 Salvatore RuggirelloPTS12Sep 29, 1932Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, UK
92Win76–11–4 Primo CarneraPTS10May 30, 1932White City Stadium, White City, London, England, UK
91Win75–11–4 Don McCorkindalePTS15Mar 3, 1932Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, UKRetained Commonwealth heavyweight title
90Draw74–11–4 Don McCorkindalePTS15Jan 28, 1932Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, UKRetained Commonwealth heavyweight title
89Win74–11–3 Maurice GriselleTKO8 Nov 30, 1931Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK
88Win73–11–3 Alexander LutzTKO2 Nov 8, 1931The Ring, Southwark, London, England, UK
87Win72–11–3 Søren PetersenKO5 Nov 2, 1931New Boulevard Rink, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK
86Win71–11–3 Jack RenaultPTS10Sep 21, 1931Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaRetained Canada heavyweight title
85Win70–11–3 Hans BaumannKO1, 2:30Jul 27, 1931King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England, UK
84Win69–11–3 Phil ScottKO2 Jun 13, 1931Welford Road Stadium, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UKWon Commonwealth heavyweight title
83Win68–11–3 Piet van GoolKO4 May 12, 1931Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK
82Win67–11–3 Charley SmithKO9 Mar 10, 1931Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK
81Win66–11–3 Bobby ShieldsTKO3 Feb 16, 1931King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England, UK
80Win65–11–3 Charley SmithPTS12Dec 30, 1930Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK
79Win64–11–3 Paul HofmanTKO6 Dec 15, 1930New Victoria Hall, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, UK
78Win63–11–3 Johannes van VlietKO2 Nov 25, 1930Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK
77Win62–11–3 Georges GardeboisKO7 Oct 31, 1930Rheinlandhalle, Cologne, Weimar Republic
76Win61–11–3 Jean DelargeKO2 Oct 23, 1930Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK
75Win60–11–3 Roberto RobertiPTS10May 18, 1930Campo di Marte, Lucca, Italy
74Win59–11–3 Epifanio IslasKO8 Apr 6, 1930Florence, Italy
73Win58–11–3 Rudi WagenerTKO6 Apr 6, 1930Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, Weimar Republic
72Win57–11–3 Hans SchönrathPTS8Mar 25, 1930Rheinlandhalle, Cologne, Weimar Republic
71Win56–11–3 Roberto RobertiPTS10Mar 16, 1930Palazzo dello Sport, Milan, Italy
70Win55–11–3 Jules ReyndersKO3 Jan 16, 1930Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK
69Win54–11–3 Don ShortlandDQ8 Dec 12, 1929Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK
68Win53–11–3 Giacomo PanfiloTKO2 Dec 8, 1929Palazzo dello Sport, Milan, Italy
67Win52–11–3 Harry CrossleyPTS10Nov 2, 1929Rheinlandhalle, Cologne, Weimar Republic
66Win51–11–3 Joe MullingsKO3 Oct 17, 1929Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK
65Win50–11–3 Carl AugustineKO2 Jun 4, 1929Amphitheatre Rink, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
64Win49–11–3 George CookPTS10Apr 15, 1929Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
63Loss48–11–3 Chuck WigginsPTS10Mar 11, 1929Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US
62Win48–10–3 Nick NewmanKO1, 1:55Feb 25, 1929Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US
61Win47–10–3 Charley BelangerPTS10Jan 25, 1929Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaRetained Canada heavyweight title
60Win46–10–3 Seal HarrisNWS10Dec 20, 1928Cadle Tabernacle, Indianapolis, Indiana, USWorld colored heavyweight title at stake;
59Win46–10–3Pat McCarthyPTS10Oct 22, 1928Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US
58Win45–10–3George GodfreyDQ3, 1:20Aug 15, 1928Maple Leaf Stadium, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaWon world colored heavyweight title;
Godfrey DQ'd for a low blow
57Win44–10–3Jack GagnonPTS10Jun 18, 1928Braves Field, Boston, Massachusetts, US
56Loss43–10–3Bill HartwellTKO6 Jun 8, 1928Kansas City, Missouri, US
55Win43–9–3Tom KirbyPTS10May 29, 1928Braves Field, Boston, Massachusetts, US
54Win42–9–3Sandy SeifertTKO6 May 18, 1928Arena Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
53Win41–9–3Big Boy PetersonPTS10Apr 2, 1928Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US
52Win40–9–3Art WeigandPTS6Mar 19, 1928Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US
51Win39–9–3Pat McCarthyUD10Feb 20, 1928Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
50Win38–9–3Jack HumbeeckPTS10Jan 13, 1928Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
49Draw37–9–3Mike McTiguePTS10Nov 11, 1927Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
48Win37–9–2Joe LohmanPTS10Oct 3, 1927Maple Leaf Stadium, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
47Win36–9–2Martin BurkePTS10Aug 19, 1927Maple Leaf Stadium, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
46Win35–9–2Emilio SolomonPTS10Aug 5, 1927Maple Leaf Stadium, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
45Loss34–9–2Martin BurkePTS10Jul 28, 1927Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
44Win34–8–2Tony StabenauPTS10May 20, 1927Arena Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
43Win33–8–2Ray NeumanPTS10Apr 29, 1927Arena Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
42Win32–8–2Quintin Romero RojasPTS10Mar 18, 1927Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
41Win31–8–2Soldier JonesTKO5, 0:30Feb 28, 1927Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaWon Canada heavyweight title
40Win30–8–2Joe BurkeKO3, 0:30Jan 24, 1927Standard Theatre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
39Loss29–8–2George GodfreyRTD6, 3:00Nov 8, 1926Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, USFor vacant world colored heavyweight title
38Win29–7–2Tony StabenauPTS10Jun 21, 1926Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US
37Win28–7–2Bud GormanPTS10May 14, 1926Arena Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
36Win27–7–2Dixie KidKO2 Apr 12, 1926Arena Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
35Win26–7–2Ernst RoesemannTKO3 Feb 12, 1926Kaiserdamm Arena, Weimar Republic
34Win25–7–2Louis ClementKO2 Feb 1, 1926Schumann Theater, Frankfurt, Weimar Republic
33Win24–7–2Ludwig HaymannPTS10Dec 15, 1925Frankfurt, Weimar Republic
32Win23–7–2Louis ClementTKO6 Oct 16, 1925Bickendorfer Festhalle, Cologne, Weimar Republic
31Win22–7–2Max SchmelingKO2 Aug 28, 1925Kristallpalast, Cologne, Weimar Republic
30Win21–7–2Eugene LallemandKO2 May 22, 1925Stadthalle, Elberfeld, Weimar Republic
29Draw20–7–2Ludwig HaymannPTS10Apr 3, 1925Sportpalast, Weimar Republic
28Win20–7–1Rudi WagenerDQ9 Mar 20, 1925Bickendorfer Festhalle, Cologne, Weimar Republic
27Win19–7–1Heinz MarkoKO2 Feb 13, 1925Bickendorfer Festhalle, Cologne, Weimar Republic
26Win18–7–1Joe MehlingPTS10Jan 18, 1925Schauburgring, Cologne, Weimar Republic
25Loss17–7–1George CookPTS10Dec 6, 1924Jahrhunderthalle, Wroclaw, Poland
24Loss17–6–1Harry PerssonKO2 Oct 31, 1924Cirkus, Stockholm, Sweden
23Win17–5–1Franz DienerKO10 Oct 4, 1924Hippodrom, Frankfurt, Weimar Republic
22Win16–5–1Herman SjouwermanTKO5 Sep 14, 1924Cologne, Weimar Republic
21Win15–5–1Laurent MahieuTKO3 Aug 30, 1924Bickendorfer Festhalle, Cologne, Weimar Republic
20Win14–5–1Alf BrightPTS10Aug 17, 1924Bickendorfer Festhalle, Cologne, Weimar Republic
19Win13–5–1Bertus AhausTKO2 Jul 13, 1924Wielerbaan, Rotterdam, Netherlands
18Win12–5–1Giuseppe SpallaPTS10Jun 5, 1924Radrennbahn im Stadium, Cologne, Weimar Republic
17Win11–5–1Michael SteinPTS10May 11, 1924Alberthalle, Leipzig, Weimar Republic
16Win10–5–1Max DählingPTS10Apr 15, 1924Zentralhallen, Bremen, Weimar Republic
15Loss9–5–1Hans BreitensträterKO3 Apr 14, 1924Bickendorfer Festhalle, Cologne, Weimar Republic
14Win9–4–1Tom IrelandKO1 Mar 21, 1924Zentralhallen, Bremen, Weimar Republic
13Win8–4–1Paul JourneePTS10Feb 27, 1924Cirque de Paris, Paris, France
12Loss7–4–1Marcel NillesKO3 Feb 13, 1924Cirque de Paris, Paris, France
11Draw7–3–1Michael Kompa SteinPTS10Jan 6, 1924Kristallpalast, Cologne, Weimar Republic
10Win7–3Constant BarrickPTS10Dec 19, 1923Palais d'Hiver, Lyon, France
9Win6–3Laurent MahieuKO2 Dec 5, 1923Salle Wagram, Paris, France
8Loss5–3Jack HumbeeckPTS12Oct 16, 1923Rubenspaleis, Antwerpen, Belgium
7Win5–2Pierre CharlesKO1 Oct 3, 1923Salle Wagram, Paris, France
6Loss4–2Quintin Romero RojasKO11 Sep 5, 1923Salle Wagram, Paris, France
5Win4–1Laurent MahieuKO2 Aug 25, 1923Stade Anastasie, Paris, France
4Win3–1Paul JourneePTS15Aug 15, 1923Vélodrome Tivoli, Bourges, France
3Win2–1Pierre AussenacKO3 Aug 11, 1923Stade Anastasie, Paris, France
2Win1–1Louis DanisTKO3 Aug 5, 1923Stade Anastasie, Paris, France
1Loss0–1Frank MoodyTKO5 Jun 23, 1923The Ring, Southwark, London, England, UK