Jack London (boxer)

Jack London
Statistics
Real name	John George Harper
Rated at	Heavyweight
Nationality	British
Born	23 June 1913 West Hartlepool, County Durham, England
Died	19 December 1963 (aged 50) Blackpool, Lancashire, England
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	142
Wins	95
Wins by KO	52
Losses	40
Draws	5
No contests	0

Jack London (real name John George Harper, born 23 June 1913 in West Hartlepool, County Durham, died 19 December 1963) was an English heavyweight boxer. He was British and Commonwealth Heavyweight champion from 1944 to 1945. His son, who fought as Brian London, also became British and Commonwealth Heavyweight champion from 1958 to 1959.

He was born in Stranton, West Hartlepool, County Durham. He made his professional debut in January 1931, in West Hartlepool, winning by a knockout in the first round. He took the ring name of Jack London, after the American author, who also covered fights for American boxing magazines. London was six feet tall and big framed, with a style that some regarded as crude and cumbersome. He fought most of his early fights in his native North East, whilst continuing to work as a lorry driver.

He did not fight in the capital until October 1932, losing at Blackfriars against Jack O’Malley, an Australian heavyweight due to an injured hand. In November 1933, he fought Ben Foord, later to become British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion himself. London lost on points over ten rounds at the Crystal Palace. In December 1933, he also fought the Commonwealth (Empire) champion, Larry Gains, being knocked out by the Canadian in the second round. In February 1935, he lost another points decision against Ben Foord. In March 1936 London fought the American ex-world-light-heavyweight champion, Tommy Loughran, losing on points over ten rounds. London next had a points win against another American, Obie Walker, and then went to fight in Berlin against Hans Schonrath, gaining another points decision.

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