Brian London

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Script error: No such module "Template wrapper".Script error: No such module "Check for clobbered parameters".

Brian Sidney Harper (19 June 1934 – 23 June 2021), better known by the ring name Brian London, was an English professional boxer who competed from 1955 to 1970.[1] He held the British and Commonwealth heavyweight title from 1958 to 1959, and twice challenged for the world heavyweight title, losing to Floyd Patterson in 1959 and Muhammad Ali in 1966, both times via knockout. He was one of a quartet of British boxers, with Henry Cooper, Joe Erskine, and Dick Richardson, who dominated the British heavyweight-division's boxing scene throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

An orthodox fighter, London was 6 feet tall and fought at about 14 stone 12 pounds (208 lbs).[2] His nicknames in the ring were "The British Bulldog" and "The Blackpool Rock".[3][4]

Early life and career

London was born in West Hartlepool, County Durham, on 19 June 1934.[3][4] He moved to Blackpool when he was 16 years old, where he resided into his later years.[5] His father, Jack London, beat Freddie Mills in 1944 to win the British heavyweight title. He also had a brother, Jack junior, who fought as a light-heavyweight.[6] His father fought under the name "London" rather than Harper, as a homage to an American novelist with this name. Brian never liked the idea of boxing as a child, as he didn't like the idea of having cauliflower ears like his father and his associates.[7] London was spurred to take up boxing during his time in the Royal Air Force for national service, after an officer learned of his familial relations.[8] It wasn't so much of a choice, but rather the expectations of his colleagues.[7] He fought as an amateur before turning professional in 1955.[6]

Professional career

London made a good start to his career, winning his first twelve bouts, one of which was against RAF light heavyweight boxer Brian Wiltshire (UK) in 1951. He finally lost when he came up against Henry Cooper in May 1956. Cooper stopped him with a technical knockout in the first round.[6] Following this defeat, London continued his winning run, apart from two ten-round points defeats, against Heinz Neuhaus in Dortmund, in 1957 and against the talented American Willie Pastrano in February 1958.[6]

British heavyweight title

In June 1958, London fought Joe Erskine, the Welsh boxer, for the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles. The fight was at the White City Stadium, London, and London took the titles with an eighth-round knockout. He followed this in September with a revenge win against Willie Pastrano, by a technical knockout in the fifth round. On 12 January 1959, London lost his titles in a fight against Henry Cooper, losing for the second time to the Londoner by a points decision after fifteen rounds.[6][9]

World title fight

In May 1959 he was given the chance of a world title fight against current champion Floyd Patterson, but he lost the bout in Indianapolis by a knockout in the eleventh. He also lost to the Cuban Nino Valdez later that year, by a technical knockout in the seventh. However, in January 1960, London bounced back when he beat the American Pete Rademacher by a knockout in the seventh.[6]

Further domestic career

London challenged Dick Richardson in August 1960 for his European heavyweight title, but lost the bout in Porthcawl, Wales on a technical knockout in the eighth. This result provoked a brawl, when London's father and brother invaded the ring to protest that Richardson had used his head to open a cut on his opponent. When Richardson's trainer shouted a few remarks at London, London replied with an impressive combination of blows, decking him, and chaos broke out. As a result of the incident, London was fined by the British Boxing Board of Control.[3]

London lost to American Eddie Machen in October 1961 by a technical knockout in the tenth,[10] and in April 1963, he lost to Ingemar Johansson of Sweden on points over twelve rounds.[3]

London then fought Henry Cooper for the third time in February 1964, when he challenged for his British and Commonwealth titles, as well as the vacant European title. The fight took place in Manchester, and Cooper won on points after fifteen rounds.[6] His next fight of note was in March 1965, against the young "Golden Boy" of British boxing, Billy Walker.[3] London won on points after ten rounds.[11]

Second world title fight vs. Muhammad Ali

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". On 6 August 1966 London fought for the World Heavyweight Championship for the second time at the age of 32, when Muhammad Ali came to defend his title at Earl's Court Exhibition Hall in England. Ali at 24 years old with the advantages of height, weight, reach, speed and youth on his side, put on a masterful performance against a clearly out-classed opponent, almost hitting London at will as the fight went on. As London put it in an interview with the BBC: "he was just getting through all the time". Ali bouncingly circled continually, whilst London tracked doggedly after him for the first two rounds seemingly with a strategy of trying to land a single knock-out punch to the American champion. London succeeded in landing only one blow in the match, a left jab to Ali's jaw midway through the first round which caught Ali by surprise and left him for a moment stunned (and wide-open for a follow through right cross, which London failed to take advantage of), but the blow lacked weight and Ali was able to quickly recover. On coming out for the 3rd Round London hesitated to engage. Ali danced him into a corner and threw a rapid 12-punch combination in three seconds, with the tenth knocking London down and ending the fight.[12]

In a post-career media interview, London described Ali as:

Big, fast and he could punch, whereas I was smaller, fatter and couldn't punch. He stopped me in three rounds and that was it, I don't think I hit him. It was good money and I got well paid for it – that's all I fought for. Every fight I ever had I always had a go, but with Muhammad Ali I thought "don't get hurt Brian", and I therefore didn't try, which was wrong, totally wrong.[13]

Later career

In March 1967, London next fought American, Jerry Quarry, in Los Angeles, losing the fight by a unanimous decision after ten rounds. In November 1967, London had what was to be the last win in his career when he fought the talented American Zora Folley. Folley had lost a world title fight against Muhammad Ali earlier that year, and London beat him on points over ten rounds.[6]

London had continued to fight when he was past his best, and in June 1968, he lost, by a technical knockout to Jack Bodell. In September 1969 he travelled to Oakland, California, to fight Jerry Quarry for the second time, this time being knocked out in the second round.[6] The bout was unusual in that the bell was inadvertently rung as London was getting up after being knocked down in the second. The fighters returned to their corners and the referee, realising that the round had not finished, made them resume. London was then knocked down again and was counted out before the end of the round.[14]

London's last fight was against the up-and-coming young boxer Joe Bugner, who would eventually take the British, Commonwealth and European titles from Henry Cooper. The bout was in May 1970, at Wembley, and Bugner won by a technical knockout in the fifth, signalling an end to London's career.[6]

Retirement and personal life

After retiring from boxing, London became a businessman in his hometown of Blackpool, owning several nightclubs, and was a fitness fanatic, running 12 miles a day. A teetotaller all of his life, in 2006 it was revealed that London was still only a few pounds over his fighting weight.[5] He was married to Veronica Cliffe. Together, they had three children: Brian Jr., Melanie and Jack.[3] After they divorced, he was in a domestic partnership with Beryl Hunter for 30 years until her death in 2005.[15][4]

In January 1971 English footballer Bobby Moore was embroiled in what became a national media story when he and three other West Ham United players, Jimmy Greaves, Clyde Best and Brian Dear, spent the evening at London's 007 nightclub in Blackpool, the night before an important FA Cup match against Blackpool which they went on to lose 4–0, with then West Ham manager Ron Greenwood and the national media severely criticising the players. Moore later said of the incident, "I'd met Brian London on many occasions and thought it would be nice to look him up. I suppose we all realised at the time that we were leaving ourselves vulnerable".[16][17]

Like many other boxers, London continued fighting long after his prime. He was 22 wins to 3 losses early in his career but lost 17 of his last 33 fights. In judging London's career it should be remembered that he fought some of the best fighters in the world, including four who at some stage were world champions – Ali, Patterson, Johansson and Pastrano.

Template:Quote

The British Boxing website listed London at number eight in a list of the top ten post World War II British heavyweight boxers in 2004.[18]

He had a dark sense of humour, and when asked if he would have done anything differently with Muhammad Ali, he replied, "Yeah, I should have shot him".[7] He died on 23 June 2021 at the age of 87. He had suffered a long illness prior to his death.[4][19]

Professional boxing record

37 Wins (26 knockouts, 11 decisions), 20 Losses (11 knockouts, 9 decisions), 1 Draw [20]
Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Loss 36–20–1 Template:Flagicon Joe Bugner TKO 5 12 May 1970 Template:Flagicon Empire Pool, London, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 36–19–1 Template:Flagicon Jerry Quarry KO 2 3 Sep 1969 Template:Flagicon Oakland Arena, Oakland, California, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 36–18–1 Template:Flagicon Jim Fletcher TKO 1 10 April 1969 Template:Flagicon Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Template:DrawDraw 36–17–1 Template:Flagicon Henry Clark PTS 10 6 Feb 1969 Template:Flagicon Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 36–17 Template:Flagicon Jack Bodell TKO 9 10 Jun 1968 Template:Flagicon Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 36–16 Template:Flagicon Roberto Davila TKO 6 29 Feb 1968 Template:Flagicon Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 37–15 Template:Flagicon Zora Folley PTS 10 13 Nov 1967 Template:Flagicon Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 36–15 Template:Flagicon James J. Woody PTS 10 15 Jun 1967 Template:Flagicon Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 35–15 Template:Flagicon Jerry Quarry UD 10 9 Mar 1967 Template:Flagicon Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 35–14 Template:Flagicon Muhammad Ali KO 3 6 August 1966 Template:Flagicon Earls Court Arena, London, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". For WBC heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 35–13 Template:Flagicon Amos Johnson DQ 7 21 Jun 1966 Template:Flagicon Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 34–13 Template:Flagicon Thad Spencer PTS 10 2 May 1966 Template:Flagicon Belle Vue Zoological Gardens, Manchester, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 34–12 Template:Flagicon Roger Rischer KO 1 20 Sep 1965 Template:Flagicon Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 33–12 Template:Flagicon Billy Walker PTS 10 30 Mar 1965 Template:Flagicon Empire Pool, London, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 32–12 Template:Flagicon Giorgio Masteghin RTD 4 2 Feb 1965 Template:Flagicon Tower Circus, Blackpool, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 31–12 Template:Flagicon Chip Johnson TKO 4 15 Dec 1964 Template:Flagicon Wolverhampton Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 30–12 Template:Flagicon Johnny Prescott PTS 10 13 Jun 1964 Template:Flagicon Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 30–11 Template:Flagicon Henry Cooper PTS 15 24 Feb 1964 Template:Flagicon Belle Vue Zoological Gardens, Manchester, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". For British, European, and Commonwealth heavyweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 30–10 Template:Flagicon Bill Nielsen KO 4 2 Dec 1963 Template:Flagicon St James Hall, Newcastle, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 29–10 Template:Flagicon Don Warner PTS 8 8 May 1963 Template:Flagicon Winter Gardens, Blackpool, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 28–10 Template:Flagicon Ingemar Johansson PTS 12 21 April 1963 Template:Flagicon Johanneshovs Isstadion, Stockholm, SwedenScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 28–9 Template:Flagicon Tom McNeeley PTS 10 29 Jan 1963 Template:Flagicon London Olympia, London, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 27–9 Template:Flagicon Von Clay PTS 10 11 Oct 1962 Template:Flagicon Tower Circus, Blackpool, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 26–9 Template:Flagicon Howard King KO 6 14 Jun 1962 Template:Flagicon Blackpool, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 25–9 Template:Flagicon Santo Amonti PTS 10 7 Jul 1962 Template:Flagicon Stadio Mario Rigamonti, Brescia, ItalyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 25–8 Template:Flagicon Young Jack Johnson PTS 10 26 Feb 1962 Template:Flagicon Belle Vue Zoological Gardens, Manchester, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 24–8 Template:Flagicon Eddie Machen RTD 5 17 Oct 1961 Template:Flagicon Empire Pool, London, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 24–7 Template:Flagicon William Herman Hunter TKO 8 24 April 1961 Template:Flagicon Manchester, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 23–7 Template:Flagicon Dick Richardson TKO 8 29 Jun 1960 Template:Flagicon Coney Beach Pleasure Park, Porthcawl, WalesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". For European heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 23–6 Template:Flagicon Pete Rademacher KO 7 26 April 1960 Template:Flagicon Empire Pool, London, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 22–6 Template:Flagicon Nino Valdes TKO 7 1 Dec 1959 Template:Flagicon Empire Pool, London, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 22–5 Template:Flagicon Floyd Patterson KO 11 1 May 1959 Template:Flagicon Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana, USScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". For world heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 22–4 Template:Flagicon Henry Cooper PTS 15 12 Jan 1959 Template:Flagicon Empress Hall, London, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Lost British and Commonwealth heavyweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 22–3 Template:Flagicon Willie Pastrano TKO 5 30 Sep 1958 Template:Flagicon Harringay Arena, London, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 21–3 Template:Flagicon Joe Erskine KO 8 3 Jun 1958 Template:Flagicon White City Stadium, London, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Won British and Commonwealth heavyweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 20–3 Template:Flagicon Willie Pastrano PTS 10 25 Feb 1958 Template:Flagicon Harringay Arena, London, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 20–2 Template:Flagicon Howie Turner PTS 10 10 Dec 1957 Template:Flagicon Harringay Arena, London, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 19–2 Template:Flagicon Kitione Lave PTS 10 12 Jun 1957 Template:Flagicon Greyhound Stadium, West Hartlepool, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 18–2 Template:Flagicon Peter Bates KO 2 1 Jul 1957 Template:Flagicon Engineer's Club, West Hartlepool, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 17–2 Template:Flagicon Willy Schagen KO 1 27 May 1957 Template:Flagicon Maindy Stadium, Cardiff, WalesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 16–2 Template:Flagicon Robert Duquesne KO 1 5 Mar 1957 Template:Flagicon Embassy Sportsdrome, Birmingham, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 15–2 Template:Flagicon Heinz Neuhaus PTS 10 3 Feb 1957 Template:Flagicon Westfalenhallen, Dortmund, GermanyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 15–1 Template:Flagicon Werner Wiegand KO 2 19 Nov 1956 Template:Flagicon St James Hall, Newcastle, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 14–1 Template:Flagicon Trevor Snell KO 2 27 Jun 1956 Template:Flagicon Maindy Stadium, Cardiff, WalesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 13–1 Template:Flagicon George Naufahu TKO 4 9 Jul 1956 Template:Flagicon Engineer's Club, West Hartlepool, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 12–1 Template:Flagicon Henry Cooper TKO 1 1 May 1956 Template:Flagicon Empress Hall, London, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 12–0 Template:Flagicon Jose Peyre TKO 1 13 Mar 1956 Template:Flagicon Harringay Arena, London, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 11–0 Template:Flagicon Jim Cooper TKO 4 17 Jan 1956 Template:Flagicon Streatham Ice Arena, London, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 10–0 Template:Flagicon Basil Kew TKO 2 6 Dec 1955 Template:Flagicon Harringay Arena, London, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 9–0 Template:Flagicon Prosper Beck KO 1 11 Nov 1955 Template:Flagicon Belle Vue Zoological Gardens, Manchester, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 8–0 Template:Flagicon Simon Templar TKO 7 24 Oct 1955 Template:Flagicon Middlesbrough, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 7–0 Template:Flagicon José González Sales TKO 3 7 Oct 1955 Template:Flagicon Belle Vue Zoological Gardens, Manchester, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 6–0 Template:Flagicon Robert Eugene PTS 8 8 Jun 1955 Template:Flagicon Engineer's Club, West Hartlepool, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 5–0 Template:Flagicon Paddy Slavin TKO 2 11 Jul 1955 Template:Flagicon Engineer's Club, West Hartlepool, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 4–0 Template:Flagicon Dinny Powell KO 4 6 Jun 1955 Template:Flagicon St James Hall, Newcastle, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 3–0 Template:Flagicon Hugh McDonald KO 2 23 May 1955 Template:Flagicon Engineer's Club, West Hartlepool, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 2–0 Template:Flagicon Frank Walshaw KO 2 18 April 1955 Template:Flagicon Birmingham, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 1–0 Template:Flagicon Dennis Lockton TKO 1 22 Mar 1955 Template:Flagicon Empress Hall, London, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

See also

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ a b c d e f Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". Template:Subscription required
  5. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". Template:Subscription required
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". Template:Subscription required
  12. ↑ 'Muhammad Ali vs Brian London full fight', published on Youtube 18 January 2009. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWnt4Z2Z9N0
  13. ↑ Interview with Brian London, When Ali Came to Britain (2012), television documentary by ITV Sport. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2256051/
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". Template:Subscription required
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Further reading

  • Riddle, John (2008). Hartlepool People: A Tribute to the Town's Rich, Famous and Infamous, Cormorant Publishing Hartlepool, Template:ISBN

External links

Template:Sister project

Achievements
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/check British Heavyweight Champion
Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion
3 June 1958 – 12 January 1959 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
Retrieved from "http://debianws.lexgopc.com/wiki143/index.php?title=Brian_London&oldid=2861993"