Len Harvey


Leonard Austen Harvey 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.

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..

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

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