Len Harvey
| Len Harvey | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Leonard Austen Harvey |
| Rated at |
Middleweight Light Heavyweight Heavyweight |
| Height | 6 ft (183 cm) |
| Reach | 73 1⁄2 in (187 cm) |
| Nationality | British |
| Born |
11 July 1907 Stoke Climsland, Kernow/Cornwall |
| Died | 28 November 1976 (aged 69) |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 140 |
| Wins | 116 |
| Wins by KO | 55 |
| Losses | 14 |
| Draws | 10 |
Len Harvey (11 July 1907 – 28 November 1976) was a Cornish boxer. A great tactician and defensive boxer who boxed at every weight division of his day. He began boxing at the very young age of 12 and boxed till he was 36. He was British champion at three weights, middleweight, light-heavy and heavyweight. He also held the British Empire championship at light-heavy and heavyweight as well as being recognised as world light-heavyweight champion in Britain from 1939–1942.
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.
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 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.
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