Larry Gains
Larry Gains | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 12 December 1900 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | 26 July 1983 (aged 82) Cologne, Germany |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Other names | Larrupin' Larry |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Heavyweight |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Reach | 77 in (196 cm) |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 146;[1] with the inclusion of newspaper decisions |
| Wins | 118 |
| Wins by KO | 63 |
| Losses | 22 |
| Draws | 5 |
Lawrence Samuel "Larry" Gains (12 December 1900 – 26 July 1983) 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 June 22, 1937.
Biography[edit]
Gains was born on Sumach Street in the Cabbagetown neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada on 12 December 1900.[2] 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.[3][4][5]
Professional career[edit]
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.[6][7] Many of his early fights were in France (where he befriended Morley Callahan and Ernest Hemingway who at the time were working as newspaper reporters) and Germany, where he beat Max Schmeling in 1925. On Feb.28, 1927 he became Canadian Heavyweight Champion when he stopped Horace "Soldier" Jones in 5 rounds at Toronto. He later defended it against two of the biggest names in Canadian boxing at the time, Jack Renault and Charlie Belanger.[8][9] He settled in Leicester, England in 1930, where many of his fights over the next few years were held.[10] 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.[11] The colour bar was lifted in 1932, and he cemented his hold on the title with a victory over white South African Donald McCorkindale at the Royal Albert Hall,[9] the fight ending in an unpopular points decision for Gains, with Gains' trainer Jack Goodwin collapsing and dying during the fight.[12] 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.[13][14][15][16] He went on to beat Primo Carnera in front of 70,000 people at White City, London in May that year (a British record attendance for a boxing match), despite Carnera having an advantage of 60 pounds in weight and a four inches in height.[9][17] 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.[18]
World coloured heavyweight champion[edit]
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.[8][19][20] His income from boxing dwindled after 1934 and in 1937 he was declared bankrupt.[21] In December 1938 he defeated Welsh champion George James on points.[22] In 1939, with the advent of World War II, Gains joined the British Army as a physical training instructor.[9] He served as a sergeant major in the Pioneer Corps in the Middle East.[23] His last fight was a defeat to Jack London in June 1942, held to raise funds for the RAF Benevolent Fund.[24]
Gains retired from boxing at the age of forty.[10] He had 143 professional fights, winning 115 and drawing 5, most of his defeats coming in the latter years of his career. Gains stated that during his career he won around US$500,000, much of which was lost through gambling.[9][25]
Later life[edit]
After boxing, Larry had a boxing club next to the Shoeburyness public house. Many world champions visited there and trained there before big fights.[citation needed] Gains had a succession of low-paid jobs. In 1950 he was working as a labourer in Shoeburyness, Essex.[26] In 1953 he was jailed for three months for stealing £222 12/5 from a British Legion club where he worked as a steward.[10][27] He pleaded guilty and stated that he would repay the money.[28] He successfully appealed against the sentence and was discharged conditionally after a "well known sporting gentleman" repaid the money along with the court costs.[29] Gains went on to be the singer/drummer in a hotel band[30] in Southend on Sea, Essex.[31] In the early 1960s Gains was living on Tooting Broadway and working as a "salvage collection merchant".[3] Gains later worked in car sales and as a boxing trainer in Morden, near London.[9]
With his wife Lisa, he had four children, Betty, Harold, Anne and John.[2] 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.[32]
Legacy & Honors[edit]
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 & 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.[33]
Larry Gains amateur boxing HABC trophy 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 Larry Gains was inducted into the British boxing Hall of Fame.
On the 1st November 2023 Government of Canada commemorates the national historic significance of Larry Gains (1900-1983)[34] at a special plaque unveiling ceremony at the Cabbagetown Boxing Club in Toronto, ON. The unveiling was made on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada.[35]
Professional boxing record[edit]
All information in this section is derived from BoxRec,[36] unless otherwise stated.
Official record[edit]
| 146 fights | 117 wins | 22 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 63 | 14 |
| By decision | 49 | 8 |
| By disqualification | 5 | 0 |
| Draws | 5 | |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Newspaper decisions/draws | 1 | |
All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted in the win/loss/draw column.
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Age | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 146 | Loss | 117–22–5 (2) | Jack London | KO | 2 (10) | Jun 6, 1942 | 41 years, 176 days | Caird Hall, Dundee, Scotland, UK | |
| 145 | Loss | 117–21–5 (2) | Jack London | KO | 3 (10) | May 28, 1941 | 40 years, 167 days | New St. James Hall, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England, UK | |
| 144 | Win | 117–20–5 (2) | Sergeant Elemett | TKO | 2 (?) | Feb 19, 1941 | 40 years, 69 days | Location unknown | |
| 143 | Loss | 116–20–5 (2) | Jack London | KO | 4 (10) | Jan 25, 1941 | 40 years, 44 days | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK | |
| 142 | Win | 116–19–5 (2) | George James | PTS | 4 | Feb 12, 1940 | 39 years, 62 days | Aldershot, Hampshire, England, UK | |
| 141 | Loss | 115–19–5 (2) | Tommy Farr | TKO | 6 (10) | May 17, 1939 | 38 years, 156 days | Ninian Park, Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 140 | Loss | 115–18–5 (2) | Len Harvey | TKO | 13 (15) | Mar 16, 1939 | 38 years, 94 days | Harringay Arena, London, England, UK | For vacant Commonwealth heavyweight title |
| 139 | Win | 115–17–5 (2) | George James | PTS | 12 | Dec 12, 1938 | 38 years, 0 days | Pavilion, Mountain Ash, Wales, UK | |
| 138 | Draw | 114–17–5 (2) | Claudio Villar | PTS | 12 | Oct 14, 1938 | 37 years, 306 days | Waverley Market, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK | |
| 137 | Win | 114–17–4 (2) | Harry Staal | PTS | 10 | Aug 23, 1938 | 37 years, 254 days | St. Helier Stadium, Jersey, Channel Islands, UK | |
| 136 | Win | 113–17–4 (2) | Pat Marrinan | PTS | 12 | Mar 10, 1938 | 37 years, 88 days | Romford Road Baths, West Ham, London, England, UK | |
| 135 | Win | 112–17–4 (2) | Albert Di Meglio | KO | 1 (?) | Feb 21, 1938 | 37 years, 71 days | Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, UK | |
| 134 | Win | 111–17–4 (2) | Bill Wainwright | KO | 3 (10) | Jan 17, 1938 | 37 years, 36 days | Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, UK | Uncertain if this is Bill Wainwright |
| 133 | Win | 110–17–4 (2) | Presidio Pavesi | KO | 2 (12) | Jan 9, 1938 | 37 years, 28 days | The Ring, Southwark, London, England, UK | |
| 132 | Win | 109–17–4 (2) | Pinkie Jenkins | KO | 3 (?) | Dec 14, 1937 | 37 years, 2 days | Swansea, Wales, UK | |
| 131 | Win | 108–17–4 (2) | Jack Pettifer | KO | 2 (10), 0:20 | Dec 9, 1937 | 36 years, 362 days | Romford Road Baths, West Ham, London, England, UK | |
| 130 | Win | 107–17–4 (2) | Hans Schönrath | PTS | 10 | Nov 2, 1937 | 36 years, 325 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 129 | Win | 106–17–4 (2) | Charles Rutz | KO | 2 (10) | Oct 4, 1937 | 36 years, 296 days | Earls Court Empress Stadium, Kensington, London, England, UK | |
| 128 | Win | 105–17–4 (2) | Bert Ikin | KO | 1 (10) | Aug 14, 1937 | 36 years, 245 days | Poole Sports Arena, Poole, Dorset, England, UK | |
| 127 | Win | 104–17–4 (2) | Harry Staal | PTS | 12 | Jul 6, 1937 | 36 years, 206 days | Working Men's Club, Llanelli, Wales, UK | |
| 126 | Win | 103–17–4 (2) | Presidio Pavesi | DQ | 7 (12) | Apr 5, 1937 | 36 years, 114 days | Colston Hall, Bristol, Avon, England, UK | |
| 125 | Win | 102–17–4 (2) | Alex Bell | TKO | 6 (12) | Feb 25, 1937 | 36 years, 75 days | West Ham Baths, West Ham, London, England, UK | |
| 124 | Win | 101–17–4 (2) | Presidio Pavesi | KO | 3 (10) | Dec 6, 1936 | 35 years, 360 days | The Ring, Southwark, London, England, UK | |
| 123 | Win | 100–17–4 (2) | Emil Scholz | PTS | 10 | Nov 25, 1936 | 35 years, 349 days | White City Stadium, Hull, Yorkshire, England, UK | |
| 122 | Win | 99–17–4 (2) | Eddie Steele | PTS | 12 | Nov 19, 1936 | 35 years, 343 days | West Ham Baths, West Ham, London, England, UK | |
| 121 | Win | 98–17–4 (2) | Bert Ikin | KO | 5 (12) | Oct 29, 1936 | 35 years, 322 days | West Ham Baths, West Ham, London, England, UK | |
| 120 | NC | 97–17–4 (2) | Jack London | NC | 8 (10) | Oct 19, 1936 | 35 years, 312 days | Earls Court Empress Hall, Kensington, London, England, UK | Both men considered not to be trying |
| 119 | Win | 97–17–4 (1) | Harry Staal | PTS | 10 | Aug 3, 1936 | 35 years, 235 days | Athletic Ground, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, UK | |
| 118 | Win | 96–17–4 (1) | Emil Scholz | PTS | 10 | Jun 15, 1936 | 35 years, 186 days | Welford Road Stadium, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 117 | Win | 95–17–4 (1) | Maurice Strickland | PTS | 10 | Apr 27, 1936 | 35 years, 137 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 116 | Loss | 94–17–4 (1) | Ben Foord | PTS | 12 | Mar 9, 1936 | 35 years, 88 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 115 | Loss | 94–16–4 (1) | Ben Foord | PTS | 12 | Nov 25, 1935 | 34 years, 348 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 114 | Win | 94–15–4 (1) | Obie Walker | PTS | 15 | Jul 20, 1935 | 34 years, 220 days | Welford Road Stadium, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | Won world colored heavyweight title |
| 113 | Win | 93–15–4 (1) | George Slack | KO | 6 (10) | Apr 25, 1935 | 34 years, 134 days | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK | |
| 112 | Win | 92–15–4 (1) | Charley Smith | KO | 3 (12) | Mar 4, 1935 | 34 years, 82 days | Embassy Rink, Sparbrook, West Midlands, England, UK | |
| 111 | Win | 91–15–4 (1) | Raymond Lepage | RTD | 3 (12) | Jan 21, 1935 | 34 years, 40 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 110 | Loss | 90–15–4 (1) | Jack Petersen | TKO | 13 (15) | Sep 10, 1934 | 33 years, 272 days | White City Stadium, White City, London, England, UK | For Commonwealth heavyweight title |
| 109 | Win | 90–14–4 (1) | Vincenz Hower | PTS | 12 | Apr 16, 1934 | 33 years, 125 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 108 | Win | 89–14–4 (1) | Casimir Beszterda | KO | 1 (12), 2:00 | Apr 9, 1934 | 33 years, 118 days | Olympia, Bradford, Yorkshire, England UK | |
| 107 | Win | 88–14–4 (1) | Harry Crossley | KO | 5 (12) | Mar 26, 1934 | 33 years, 104 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 106 | Win | 87–14–4 (1) | Ernst Guehring | KO | 7 (15) | Mar 5, 1934 | 33 years, 83 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 105 | Loss | 86–14–4 (1) | Len Harvey | PTS | 15 | Feb 8, 1934 | 33 years, 58 days | Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, UK | Lost Commonwealth heavyweight title |
| 104 | Win | 86–13–4 (1) | Jack London | KO | 2 (10) | Dec 11, 1933 | 32 years, 364 days | New St. James Hall, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England, UK | |
| 103 | Win | 85–13–4 (1) | Piet van Gool | KO | 4 (12) | Jul 8, 1933 | 32 years, 208 days | Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK | |
| 102 | Win | 84–13–4 (1) | George Cook | PTS | 15 | May 18, 1933 | 32 years, 157 days | Olympia, Kensington, London, England, UK | Retained Commonwealth heavyweight title |
| 101 | Loss | 83–13–4 (1) | Don McCorkindale | KO | 10 (10) | Apr 13, 1933 | 32 years, 122 days | Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, UK | |
| 100 | Win | 83–12–4 (1) | Roberto Roberti | KO | 3 (12) | Apr 3, 1933 | 32 years, 112 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 99 | Win | 82–12–4 (1) | Reggie Meen | DQ | 4 (12) | Feb 13, 1933 | 32 years, 63 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 98 | Win | 81–12–4 (1) | Paul Hofman | RTD | 6 (12) | Jan 9, 1933 | 32 years, 28 days | Town Hall, Leeds, Yorkshire, England, UK | |
| 97 | Win | 80–12–4 (1) | Michel Maurer | KO | 4 (15) | Dec 12, 1932 | 32 years, 0 days | King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England, UK | |
| 96 | Win | 79–12–4 (1) | Hermann Jaspers | KO | 3 (15) | Dec 4, 1932 | 31 years, 358 days | The Ring, Southwark, London, England, UK | |
| 95 | Win | 78–12–4 (1) | Marcel Moret | KO | 1 (15), 0:34 | Nov 28, 1932 | 31 years, 352 days | Olympia, Bradford, Yorkshire, England UK | |
| 94 | Loss | 77–12–4 (1) | Walter Neusel | UD | 10 | Oct 17, 1932 | 31 years, 310 days | Palais des Sports, Paris, France | |
| 93 | Win | 77–11–4 (1) | Salvatore Ruggirello | PTS | 12 | Sep 29, 1932 | 31 years, 292 days | Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, UK | |
| 92 | Win | 76–11–4 (1) | Primo Carnera | PTS | 10 | May 30, 1932 | 31 years, 170 days | White City Stadium, White City, London, England, UK | |
| 91 | Win | 75–11–4 (1) | Don McCorkindale | PTS | 15 | Mar 3, 1932 | 31 years, 82 days | Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, UK | Retained Commonwealth heavyweight title |
| 90 | Draw | 74–11–4 (1) | Don McCorkindale | PTS | 15 | Jan 28, 1932 | 31 years, 47 days | Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, UK | Retained Commonwealth heavyweight title |
| 89 | Win | 74–11–3 (1) | Maurice Griselle | TKO | 8 (12) | Nov 30, 1931 | 30 years, 353 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 88 | Win | 73–11–3 (1) | Alexander Lutz | TKO | 2 (15) | Nov 8, 1931 | 30 years, 331 days | The Ring, Southwark, London, England, UK | |
| 87 | Win | 72–11–3 (1) | Søren Petersen | KO | 5 (12) | Nov 2, 1931 | 30 years, 325 days | New Boulevard Rink, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 86 | Win | 71–11–3 (1) | Jack Renault | PTS | 10 | Sep 21, 1931 | 30 years, 283 days | Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Retained Canada heavyweight title |
| 85 | Win | 70–11–3 (1) | Hans Baumann | KO | 1 (15), 2:30 | Jul 27, 1931 | 30 years, 227 days | King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England, UK | |
| 84 | Win | 69–11–3 (1) | Phil Scott | KO | 2 (15) | Jun 13, 1931 | 30 years, 183 days | Welford Road Stadium, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | Won Commonwealth heavyweight title |
| 83 | Win | 68–11–3 (1) | Piet van Gool | KO | 4 (12) | May 12, 1931 | 30 years, 151 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 82 | Win | 67–11–3 (1) | Charley Smith | KO | 9 (15) | Mar 10, 1931 | 30 years, 88 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 81 | Win | 66–11–3 (1) | Bobby Shields | TKO | 3 (12) | Feb 16, 1931 | 30 years, 66 days | King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England, UK | |
| 80 | Win | 65–11–3 (1) | Charley Smith | PTS | 12 | Dec 30, 1930 | 30 years, 18 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 79 | Win | 64–11–3 (1) | Paul Hofman | TKO | 6 (10) | Dec 15, 1930 | 30 years, 3 days | New Victoria Hall, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, UK | |
| 78 | Win | 63–11–3 (1) | Johannes van Vliet | KO | 2 (12) | Nov 25, 1930 | 29 years, 348 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 77 | Win | 62–11–3 (1) | Georges Gardebois | KO | 7 (10) | Oct 31, 1930 | 29 years, 323 days | Rheinlandhalle, Cologne, Weimar Republic | |
| 76 | Win | 61–11–3 (1) | Jean Delarge | KO | 2 (12) | Oct 23, 1930 | 29 years, 315 days | Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK | |
| 75 | Win | 60–11–3 (1) | Roberto Roberti | PTS | 10 | May 18, 1930 | 29 years, 157 days | Campo di Marte, Lucca, Italy | |
| 74 | Win | 59–11–3 (1) | Epifanio Islas | KO | 8 (?) | Apr 6, 1930 | 29 years, 115 days | Florence, Italy | |
| 73 | Win | 58–11–3 (1) | Rudi Wagener | TKO | 6 (8) | Apr 6, 1930 | 29 years, 115 days | Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, Weimar Republic | |
| 72 | Win | 57–11–3 (1) | Hans Schönrath | PTS | 8 | Mar 25, 1930 | 29 years, 103 days | Rheinlandhalle, Cologne, Weimar Republic | |
| 71 | Win | 56–11–3 (1) | Roberto Roberti | PTS | 10 | Mar 16, 1930 | 29 years, 94 days | Palazzo dello Sport (Pad. 3 Fiera), Milan, Italy | |
| 70 | Win | 55–11–3 (1) | Jules Reynders | KO | 3 (12) | Jan 16, 1930 | 29 years, 35 days | Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK | |
| 69 | Win | 54–11–3 (1) | Don Shortland | DQ | 8 (15) | Dec 12, 1929 | 29 years, 0 days | Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK | |
| 68 | Win | 53–11–3 (1) | Giacomo Panfilo | TKO | 2 (?) | Dec 8, 1929 | 28 years, 361 days | Palazzo dello Sport (Pad. 3 Fiera), Milan, Italy | |
| 67 | Win | 52–11–3 (1) | Harry Crossley | PTS | 10 | Nov 2, 1929 | 28 years, 325 days | Rheinlandhalle, Cologne, Weimar Republic | |
| 66 | Win | 51–11–3 (1) | Joe Mullings | KO | 3 (12) | Oct 17, 1929 | 28 years, 309 days | Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK | |
| 65 | Win | 50–11–3 (1) | Carl Augustine | KO | 2 (10) | Jun 4, 1929 | 28 years, 174 days | Amphitheatre Rink, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | |
| 64 | Win | 49–11–3 (1) | George Cook | PTS | 10 | Apr 15, 1929 | 28 years, 124 days | Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 63 | Loss | 48–11–3 (1) | Chuck Wiggins | PTS | 10 | Mar 11, 1929 | 28 years, 89 days | Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US | |
| 62 | Win | 48–10–3 (1) | Nick Newman | KO | 1 (10), 1:55 | Feb 25, 1929 | 28 years, 75 days | Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US | |
| 61 | Win | 47–10–3 (1) | Charley Belanger | PTS | 10 | Jan 25, 1929 | 28 years, 44 days | Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Retained Canada heavyweight title |
| 60 | Win | 46–10–3 (1) | Seal Harris | NWS | 10 | Dec 20, 1928 | 28 years, 8 days | Cadle Tabernacle, Indianapolis, Indiana, US | World colored heavyweight title at stake; (via KO only) |
| 59 | Win | 46–10–3 | Pat McCarthy | PTS | 10 | Oct 22, 1928 | 27 years, 315 days | Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US | |
| 58 | Win | 45–10–3 | George Godfrey | DQ | 3 (10), 1:20 | Aug 15, 1928 | 27 years, 247 days | Maple Leaf Stadium, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Won world colored heavyweight title; Godfrey DQ'd for a low blow |
| 57 | Win | 44–10–3 | Jack Gagnon | PTS | 10 | Jun 18, 1928 | 27 years, 189 days | Braves Field, Boston, Massachusetts, US | |
| 56 | Loss | 43–10–3 | Bill Hartwell | TKO | 6 (10) | Jun 8, 1928 | 27 years, 179 days | Kansas City, Missouri, US | |
| 55 | Win | 43–9–3 | Tom Kirby | PTS | 10 | May 29, 1928 | 27 years, 169 days | Braves Field, Boston, Massachusetts, US | |
| 54 | Win | 42–9–3 | Sandy Seifert | TKO | 6 (10) | May 18, 1928 | 27 years, 158 days | Arena Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 53 | Win | 41–9–3 | Big Boy Peterson | PTS | 10 | Apr 2, 1928 | 27 years, 112 days | Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US | |
| 52 | Win | 40–9–3 | Art Weigand | PTS | 6 | Mar 19, 1928 | 27 years, 98 days | Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US | |
| 51 | Win | 39–9–3 | Pat McCarthy | UD | 10 | Feb 20, 1928 | 27 years, 70 days | Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 50 | Win | 38–9–3 | Jack Humbeeck | PTS | 10 | Jan 13, 1928 | 27 years, 32 days | Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 49 | Draw | 37–9–3 | Mike McTigue | PTS | 10 | Nov 11, 1927 | 26 years, 334 days | Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 48 | Win | 37–9–2 | Joe Lohman | PTS | 10 | Oct 3, 1927 | 26 years, 295 days | Maple Leaf Stadium, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 47 | Win | 36–9–2 | Martin Burke | PTS | 10 | Aug 19, 1927 | 26 years, 250 days | Maple Leaf Stadium, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 46 | Win | 35–9–2 | Emilio Solomon | PTS | 10 | Aug 5, 1927 | 26 years, 236 days | Maple Leaf Stadium, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 45 | Loss | 34–9–2 | Martin Burke | PTS | 10 | Jul 28, 1927 | 26 years, 228 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 44 | Win | 34–8–2 | Tony Stabenau | PTS | 10 | May 20, 1927 | 26 years, 159 days | Arena Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 43 | Win | 33–8–2 | Ray Neuman | PTS | 10 | Apr 29, 1927 | 26 years, 138 days | Arena Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 42 | Win | 32–8–2 | Quintin Romero Rojas | PTS | 10 | Mar 18, 1927 | 26 years, 96 days | Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 41 | Win | 31–8–2 | Soldier Jones | TKO | 5 (10), 0:30 | Feb 28, 1927 | 26 years, 78 days | Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Won Canada heavyweight title |
| 40 | Win | 30–8–2 | Joe Burke | KO | 3 (10), 0:30 | Jan 24, 1927 | 26 years, 43 days | Standard Theatre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 39 | Loss | 29–8–2 | George Godfrey | RTD | 6 (10), 3:00 | Nov 8, 1926 | 25 years, 331 days | Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US | For vacant world colored heavyweight title |
| 38 | Win | 29–7–2 | Tony Stabenau | PTS | 10 | Jun 21, 1926 | 25 years, 191 days | Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US | |
| 37 | Win | 28–7–2 | Bud Gorman | PTS | 10 | May 14, 1926 | 25 years, 153 days | Arena Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 36 | Win | 27–7–2 | Dixie Kid | KO | 2 (10) | Apr 12, 1926 | 25 years, 121 days | Arena Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 35 | Win | 26–7–2 | Ernst Roesemann | TKO | 3 (10) | Feb 12, 1926 | 25 years, 62 days | Kaiserdamm Arena, Weimar Republic | |
| 34 | Win | 25–7–2 | Louis Clement | KO | 2 (10) | Feb 1, 1926 | 25 years, 51 days | Schumann Theater, Frankfurt, Weimar Republic | |
| 33 | Win | 24–7–2 | Ludwig Haymann | PTS | 10 | Dec 15, 1925 | 25 years, 3 days | Frankfurt, Weimar Republic | |
| 32 | Win | 23–7–2 | Louis Clement | TKO | 6 (10) | Oct 16, 1925 | 24 years, 308 days | Bickendorfer Festhalle, Cologne, Weimar Republic | |
| 31 | Win | 22–7–2 | Max Schmeling | KO | 2 (10) | Aug 28, 1925 | 24 years, 259 days | Kristallpalast, Cologne, Weimar Republic | |
| 30 | Win | 21–7–2 | Eugene Lallemand | KO | 2 (10) | May 22, 1925 | 24 years, 161 days | Stadthalle, Elberfeld, Weimar Republic | |
| 29 | Draw | 20–7–2 | Ludwig Haymann | PTS | 10 | Apr 3, 1925 | 24 years, 112 days | Sportpalast, Weimar Republic | |
| 28 | Win | 20–7–1 | Rudi Wagener | DQ | 9 (10) | Mar 20, 1925 | 24 years, 98 days | Bickendorfer Festhalle, Cologne, Weimar Republic | |
| 27 | Win | 19–7–1 | Heinz Marko | KO | 2 (10) | Feb 13, 1925 | 24 years, 63 days | Bickendorfer Festhalle, Cologne, Weimar Republic | |
| 26 | Win | 18–7–1 | Joe Mehling | PTS | 10 | Jan 18, 1925 | 24 years, 37 days | Schauburgring, Cologne, Weimar Republic | |
| 25 | Loss | 17–7–1 | George Cook | PTS | 10 | Dec 6, 1924 | 23 years, 360 days | Jahrhunderthalle, Wroclaw, Poland | |
| 24 | Loss | 17–6–1 | Harry Persson | KO | 2 (15) | Oct 31, 1924 | 23 years, 324 days | Cirkus, Stockholm, Sweden | |
| 23 | Win | 17–5–1 | Franz Diener | KO | 10 (10) | Oct 4, 1924 | 23 years, 297 days | Hippodrom, Frankfurt, Weimar Republic | |
| 22 | Win | 16–5–1 | Herman Sjouwerman | TKO | 5 (?) | Sep 14, 1924 | 23 years, 277 days | Cologne, Weimar Republic | |
| 21 | Win | 15–5–1 | Laurent Mahieu | TKO | 3 (10) | Aug 30, 1924 | 23 years, 262 days | Bickendorfer Festhalle, Cologne, Weimar Republic | |
| 20 | Win | 14–5–1 | Alf Bright | PTS | 10 | Aug 17, 1924 | 23 years, 249 days | Bickendorfer Festhalle, Cologne, Weimar Republic | |
| 19 | Win | 13–5–1 | Bertus Ahaus | TKO | 2 (10) | Jul 13, 1924 | 23 years, 214 days | Wielerbaan, Rotterdam, Netherlands | |
| 18 | Win | 12–5–1 | Giuseppe Spalla | PTS | 10 | Jun 5, 1924 | 23 years, 176 days | Radrennbahn im Stadium, Cologne, Weimar Republic | |
| 17 | Win | 11–5–1 | Michael Stein | PTS | 10 | May 11, 1924 | 23 years, 151 days | Alberthalle, Leipzig, Weimar Republic | |
| 16 | Win | 10–5–1 | Max Dähling | PTS | 10 | Apr 15, 1924 | 23 years, 125 days | Zentralhallen, Bremen, Weimar Republic | |
| 15 | Loss | 9–5–1 | Hans Breitensträter | KO | 3 (12) | Apr 14, 1924 | 23 years, 124 days | Bickendorfer Festhalle, Cologne, Weimar Republic | |
| 14 | Win | 9–4–1 | Tom Ireland | KO | 1 (10) | Mar 21, 1924 | 23 years, 100 days | Zentralhallen, Bremen, Weimar Republic | |
| 13 | Win | 8–4–1 | Paul Journee | PTS | 10 | Feb 27, 1924 | 23 years, 77 days | Cirque de Paris, Paris, France | |
| 12 | Loss | 7–4–1 | Marcel Nilles | KO | 3 (12) | Feb 13, 1924 | 23 years, 63 days | Cirque de Paris, Paris, France | |
| 11 | Draw | 7–3–1 | Michael Kompa Stein | PTS | 10 | Jan 6, 1924 | 23 years, 25 days | Kristallpalast, Cologne, Weimar Republic | |
| 10 | Win | 7–3 | Constant Barrick | PTS | 10 | Dec 19, 1923 | 23 years, 7 days | Palais d'Hiver, Lyon, France | |
| 9 | Win | 6–3 | Laurent Mahieu | KO | 2 (?) | Dec 5, 1923 | 22 years, 358 days | Salle Wagram, Paris, France | |
| 8 | Loss | 5–3 | Jack Humbeeck | PTS | 12 | Oct 16, 1923 | 22 years, 308 days | Rubenspaleis, Antwerpen, Belgium | |
| 7 | Win | 5–2 | Pierre Charles | KO | 1 (10) | Oct 3, 1923 | 22 years, 295 days | Salle Wagram, Paris, France | |
| 6 | Loss | 4–2 | Quintin Romero Rojas | KO | 11 (12) | Sep 5, 1923 | 22 years, 267 days | Salle Wagram, Paris, France | |
| 5 | Win | 4–1 | Laurent Mahieu | KO | 2 (?) | Aug 25, 1923 | 22 years, 256 days | Stade Anastasie, Paris, France | |
| 4 | Win | 3–1 | Paul Journee | PTS | 15 | Aug 15, 1923 | 22 years, 246 days | Vélodrome Tivoli, Bourges, France | |
| 3 | Win | 2–1 | Pierre Aussenac | KO | 3 (?) | Aug 11, 1923 | 22 years, 242 days | Stade Anastasie, Paris, France | |
| 2 | Win | 1–1 | Louis Danis | TKO | 3 (10) | Aug 5, 1923 | 22 years, 236 days | Stade Anastasie, Paris, France | |
| 1 | Loss | 0–1 | Frank Moody | TKO | 5 (15) | Jun 23, 1923 | 22 years, 193 days | The Ring, Southwark, London, England, UK |
Unofficial record[edit]
| 146 fights | 118 wins | 22 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 63 | 14 |
| By decision | 50 | 8 |
| By disqualification | 5 | 0 |
| Draws | 5 | |
| No contests | 1 | |
Record with the inclusion of newspaper decisions in the win/loss/draw column.
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Age | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 146 | Loss | 118–22–5 (1) | Jack London | KO | 2 (10) | Jun 6, 1942 | 41 years, 176 days | Caird Hall, Dundee, Scotland, UK | |
| 145 | Loss | 118–21–5 (1) | Jack London | KO | 3 (10) | May 28, 1941 | 40 years, 167 days | New St. James Hall, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England, UK | |
| 144 | Win | 118–20–5 (1) | Sergeant Elemett | TKO | 2 (?) | Feb 19, 1941 | 40 years, 69 days | Location unknown | |
| 143 | Loss | 117–20–5 (1) | Jack London | KO | 4 (10) | Jan 25, 1941 | 40 years, 44 days | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK | |
| 142 | Win | 117–19–5 (1) | George James | PTS | 4 | Feb 12, 1940 | 39 years, 62 days | Aldershot, Hampshire, England, UK | |
| 141 | Loss | 116–19–5 (1) | Tommy Farr | TKO | 6 (10) | May 17, 1939 | 38 years, 156 days | Ninian Park, Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 140 | Loss | 116–18–5 (1) | Len Harvey | TKO | 13 (15) | Mar 16, 1939 | 38 years, 94 days | Harringay Arena, London, England, UK | For vacant Commonwealth heavyweight title |
| 139 | Win | 116–17–5 (1) | George James | PTS | 12 | Dec 12, 1938 | 38 years, 0 days | Pavilion, Mountain Ash, Wales, UK | |
| 138 | Draw | 115–17–5 (1) | Claudio Villar | PTS | 12 | Oct 14, 1938 | 37 years, 306 days | Waverley Market, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK | |
| 137 | Win | 115–17–4 (1) | Harry Staal | PTS | 10 | Aug 23, 1938 | 37 years, 254 days | St. Helier Stadium, Jersey, Channel Islands, UK | |
| 136 | Win | 114–17–4 (1) | Pat Marrinan | PTS | 12 | Mar 10, 1938 | 37 years, 88 days | Romford Road Baths, West Ham, London, England, UK | |
| 135 | Win | 113–17–4 (1) | Albert Di Meglio | KO | 1 (?) | Feb 21, 1938 | 37 years, 71 days | Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, UK | |
| 134 | Win | 112–17–4 (1) | Bill Wainwright | KO | 3 (10) | Jan 17, 1938 | 37 years, 36 days | Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, UK | Uncertain if this is Bill Wainwright |
| 133 | Win | 111–17–4 (1) | Presidio Pavesi | KO | 2 (12) | Jan 9, 1938 | 37 years, 28 days | The Ring, Southwark, London, England, UK | |
| 132 | Win | 110–17–4 (1) | Pinkie Jenkins | KO | 3 (?) | Dec 14, 1937 | 37 years, 2 days | Swansea, Wales, UK | |
| 131 | Win | 109–17–4 (1) | Jack Pettifer | KO | 2 (10), 0:20 | Dec 9, 1937 | 36 years, 362 days | Romford Road Baths, West Ham, London, England, UK | |
| 130 | Win | 108–17–4 (1) | Hans Schönrath | PTS | 10 | Nov 2, 1937 | 36 years, 325 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 129 | Win | 107–17–4 (1) | Charles Rutz | KO | 2 (10) | Oct 4, 1937 | 36 years, 296 days | Earls Court Empress Stadium, Kensington, London, England, UK | |
| 128 | Win | 106–17–4 (1) | Bert Ikin | KO | 1 (10) | Aug 14, 1937 | 36 years, 245 days | Poole Sports Arena, Poole, Dorset, England, UK | |
| 127 | Win | 105–17–4 (1) | Harry Staal | PTS | 12 | Jul 6, 1937 | 36 years, 206 days | Working Men's Club, Llanelli, Wales, UK | |
| 126 | Win | 104–17–4 (1) | Presidio Pavesi | DQ | 7 (12) | Apr 5, 1937 | 36 years, 114 days | Colston Hall, Bristol, Avon, England, UK | |
| 125 | Win | 103–17–4 (1) | Alex Bell | TKO | 6 (12) | Feb 25, 1937 | 36 years, 75 days | West Ham Baths, West Ham, London, England, UK | |
| 124 | Win | 102–17–4 (1) | Presidio Pavesi | KO | 3 (10) | Dec 6, 1936 | 35 years, 360 days | The Ring, Southwark, London, England, UK | |
| 123 | Win | 101–17–4 (1) | Emil Scholz | PTS | 10 | Nov 25, 1936 | 35 years, 349 days | White City Stadium, Hull, Yorkshire, England, UK | |
| 122 | Win | 100–17–4 (1) | Eddie Steele | PTS | 12 | Nov 19, 1936 | 35 years, 343 days | West Ham Baths, West Ham, London, England, UK | |
| 121 | Win | 99–17–4 (1) | Bert Ikin | KO | 5 (12) | Oct 29, 1936 | 35 years, 322 days | West Ham Baths, West Ham, London, England, UK | |
| 120 | NC | 98–17–4 (1) | Jack London | NC | 8 (10) | Oct 19, 1936 | 35 years, 312 days | Earls Court Empress Hall, Kensington, London, England, UK | Both men considered not to be trying |
| 119 | Win | 98–17–4 | Harry Staal | PTS | 10 | Aug 3, 1936 | 35 years, 235 days | Athletic Ground, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, UK | |
| 118 | Win | 97–17–4 | Emil Scholz | PTS | 10 | Jun 15, 1936 | 35 years, 186 days | Welford Road Stadium, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 117 | Win | 96–17–4 | Maurice Strickland | PTS | 10 | Apr 27, 1936 | 35 years, 137 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 116 | Loss | 95–17–4 | Ben Foord | PTS | 12 | Mar 9, 1936 | 35 years, 88 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 115 | Loss | 95–16–4 | Ben Foord | PTS | 12 | Nov 25, 1935 | 34 years, 348 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 114 | Win | 95–15–4 | Obie Walker | PTS | 15 | Jul 20, 1935 | 34 years, 220 days | Welford Road Stadium, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | Won world colored heavyweight title |
| 113 | Win | 94–15–4 | George Slack | KO | 6 (10) | Apr 25, 1935 | 34 years, 134 days | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK | |
| 112 | Win | 93–15–4 | Charley Smith | KO | 3 (12) | Mar 4, 1935 | 34 years, 82 days | Embassy Rink, Sparbrook, West Midlands, England, UK | |
| 111 | Win | 92–15–4 | Raymond Lepage | RTD | 3 (12) | Jan 21, 1935 | 34 years, 40 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 110 | Loss | 91–15–4 | Jack Petersen | TKO | 13 (15) | Sep 10, 1934 | 33 years, 272 days | White City Stadium, White City, London, England, UK | For Commonwealth heavyweight title |
| 109 | Win | 91–14–4 | Vincenz Hower | PTS | 12 | Apr 16, 1934 | 33 years, 125 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 108 | Win | 90–14–4 | Casimir Beszterda | KO | 1 (12), 2:00 | Apr 9, 1934 | 33 years, 118 days | Olympia, Bradford, Yorkshire, England UK | |
| 107 | Win | 89–14–4 | Harry Crossley | KO | 5 (12) | Mar 26, 1934 | 33 years, 104 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 106 | Win | 88–14–4 | Ernst Guehring | KO | 7 (15) | Mar 5, 1934 | 33 years, 83 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 105 | Loss | 87–14–4 | Len Harvey | PTS | 15 | Feb 8, 1934 | 33 years, 58 days | Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, UK | Lost Commonwealth heavyweight title |
| 104 | Win | 87–13–4 | Jack London | KO | 2 (10) | Dec 11, 1933 | 32 years, 364 days | New St. James Hall, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England, UK | |
| 103 | Win | 86–13–4 | Piet van Gool | KO | 4 (12) | Jul 8, 1933 | 32 years, 208 days | Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK | |
| 102 | Win | 85–13–4 | George Cook | PTS | 15 | May 18, 1933 | 32 years, 157 days | Olympia, Kensington, London, England, UK | Retained Commonwealth heavyweight title |
| 101 | Loss | 84–13–4 | Don McCorkindale | KO | 10 (10) | Apr 13, 1933 | 32 years, 122 days | Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, UK | |
| 100 | Win | 84–12–4 | Roberto Roberti | KO | 3 (12) | Apr 3, 1933 | 32 years, 112 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 99 | Win | 83–12–4 | Reggie Meen | DQ | 4 (12) | Feb 13, 1933 | 32 years, 63 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 98 | Win | 82–12–4 | Paul Hofman | RTD | 6 (12) | Jan 9, 1933 | 32 years, 28 days | Town Hall, Leeds, Yorkshire, England, UK | |
| 97 | Win | 81–12–4 | Michel Maurer | KO | 4 (15) | Dec 12, 1932 | 32 years, 0 days | King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England, UK | |
| 96 | Win | 80–12–4 | Hermann Jaspers | KO | 3 (15) | Dec 4, 1932 | 31 years, 358 days | The Ring, Southwark, London, England, UK | |
| 95 | Win | 79–12–4 | Marcel Moret | KO | 1 (15), 0:34 | Nov 28, 1932 | 31 years, 352 days | Olympia, Bradford, Yorkshire, England UK | |
| 94 | Loss | 78–12–4 | Walter Neusel | UD | 10 | Oct 17, 1932 | 31 years, 310 days | Palais des Sports, Paris, France | |
| 93 | Win | 78–11–4 | Salvatore Ruggirello | PTS | 12 | Sep 29, 1932 | 31 years, 292 days | Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, UK | |
| 92 | Win | 77–11–4 | Primo Carnera | PTS | 10 | May 30, 1932 | 31 years, 170 days | White City Stadium, White City, London, England, UK | |
| 91 | Win | 76–11–4 | Don McCorkindale | PTS | 15 | Mar 3, 1932 | 31 years, 82 days | Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, UK | Retained Commonwealth heavyweight title |
| 90 | Draw | 75–11–4 | Don McCorkindale | PTS | 15 | Jan 28, 1932 | 31 years, 47 days | Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, UK | Retained Commonwealth heavyweight title |
| 89 | Win | 75–11–3 | Maurice Griselle | TKO | 8 (12) | Nov 30, 1931 | 30 years, 353 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 88 | Win | 74–11–3 | Alexander Lutz | TKO | 2 (15) | Nov 8, 1931 | 30 years, 331 days | The Ring, Southwark, London, England, UK | |
| 87 | Win | 73–11–3 | Søren Petersen | KO | 5 (12) | Nov 2, 1931 | 30 years, 325 days | New Boulevard Rink, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 86 | Win | 72–11–3 | Jack Renault | PTS | 10 | Sep 21, 1931 | 30 years, 283 days | Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Retained Canada heavyweight title |
| 85 | Win | 71–11–3 | Hans Baumann | KO | 1 (15), 2:30 | Jul 27, 1931 | 30 years, 227 days | King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England, UK | |
| 84 | Win | 70–11–3 | Phil Scott | KO | 2 (15) | Jun 13, 1931 | 30 years, 183 days | Welford Road Stadium, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | Won Commonwealth heavyweight title |
| 83 | Win | 69–11–3 | Piet van Gool | KO | 4 (12) | May 12, 1931 | 30 years, 151 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 82 | Win | 68–11–3 | Charley Smith | KO | 9 (15) | Mar 10, 1931 | 30 years, 88 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 81 | Win | 67–11–3 | Bobby Shields | TKO | 3 (12) | Feb 16, 1931 | 30 years, 66 days | King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England, UK | |
| 80 | Win | 66–11–3 | Charley Smith | PTS | 12 | Dec 30, 1930 | 30 years, 18 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 79 | Win | 65–11–3 | Paul Hofman | TKO | 6 (10) | Dec 15, 1930 | 30 years, 3 days | New Victoria Hall, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, UK | |
| 78 | Win | 64–11–3 | Johannes van Vliet | KO | 2 (12) | Nov 25, 1930 | 29 years, 348 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK | |
| 77 | Win | 63–11–3 | Georges Gardebois | KO | 7 (10) | Oct 31, 1930 | 29 years, 323 days | Rheinlandhalle, Cologne, Weimar Republic | |
| 76 | Win | 62–11–3 | Jean Delarge | KO | 2 (12) | Oct 23, 1930 | 29 years, 315 days | Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK | |
| 75 | Win | 61–11–3 | Roberto Roberti | PTS | 10 | May 18, 1930 | 29 years, 157 days | Campo di Marte, Lucca, Italy | |
| 74 | Win | 60–11–3 | Epifanio Islas | KO | 8 (?) | Apr 6, 1930 | 29 years, 115 days | Florence, Italy | |
| 73 | Win | 59–11–3 | Rudi Wagener | TKO | 6 (8) | Apr 6, 1930 | 29 years, 115 days | Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, Weimar Republic | |
| 72 | Win | 58–11–3 | Hans Schönrath | PTS | 8 | Mar 25, 1930 | 29 years, 103 days | Rheinlandhalle, Cologne, Weimar Republic | |
| 71 | Win | 57–11–3 | Roberto Roberti | PTS | 10 | Mar 16, 1930 | 29 years, 94 days | Palazzo dello Sport (Pad. 3 Fiera), Milan, Italy | |
| 70 | Win | 56–11–3 | Jules Reynders | KO | 3 (12) | Jan 16, 1930 | 29 years, 35 days | Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK | |
| 69 | Win | 55–11–3 | Don Shortland | DQ | 8 (15) | Dec 12, 1929 | 29 years, 0 days | Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK | |
| 68 | Win | 54–11–3 | Giacomo Panfilo | TKO | 2 (?) | Dec 8, 1929 | 28 years, 361 days | Palazzo dello Sport (Pad. 3 Fiera), Milan, Italy | |
| 67 | Win | 53–11–3 | Harry Crossley | PTS | 10 | Nov 2, 1929 | 28 years, 325 days | Rheinlandhalle, Cologne, Weimar Republic | |
| 66 | Win | 52–11–3 | Joe Mullings | KO | 3 (12) | Oct 17, 1929 | 28 years, 309 days | Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK | |
| 65 | Win | 51–11–3 | Carl Augustine | KO | 2 (10) | Jun 4, 1929 | 28 years, 174 days | Amphitheatre Rink, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | |
| 64 | Win | 50–11–3 | George Cook | PTS | 10 | Apr 15, 1929 | 28 years, 124 days | Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 63 | Loss | 49–11–3 | Chuck Wiggins | PTS | 10 | Mar 11, 1929 | 28 years, 89 days | Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US | |
| 62 | Win | 49–10–3 | Nick Newman | KO | 1 (10), 1:55 | Feb 25, 1929 | 28 years, 75 days | Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US | |
| 61 | Win | 48–10–3 | Charley Belanger | PTS | 10 | Jan 25, 1929 | 28 years, 44 days | Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Retained Canada heavyweight title |
| 60 | Win | 47–10–3 | Seal Harris | NWS | 10 | Dec 20, 1928 | 28 years, 8 days | Cadle Tabernacle, Indianapolis, Indiana, US | World colored heavyweight title at stake; (via KO only) |
| 59 | Win | 46–10–3 | Pat McCarthy | PTS | 10 | Oct 22, 1928 | 27 years, 315 days | Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US | |
| 58 | Win | 45–10–3 | George Godfrey | DQ | 3 (10), 1:20 | Aug 15, 1928 | 27 years, 247 days | Maple Leaf Stadium, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Won world colored heavyweight title; Godfrey DQ'd for a low blow |
| 57 | Win | 44–10–3 | Jack Gagnon | PTS | 10 | Jun 18, 1928 | 27 years, 189 days | Braves Field, Boston, Massachusetts, US | |
| 56 | Loss | 43–10–3 | Bill Hartwell | TKO | 6 (10) | Jun 8, 1928 | 27 years, 179 days | Kansas City, Missouri, US | |
| 55 | Win | 43–9–3 | Tom Kirby | PTS | 10 | May 29, 1928 | 27 years, 169 days | Braves Field, Boston, Massachusetts, US | |
| 54 | Win | 42–9–3 | Sandy Seifert | TKO | 6 (10) | May 18, 1928 | 27 years, 158 days | Arena Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 53 | Win | 41–9–3 | Big Boy Peterson | PTS | 10 | Apr 2, 1928 | 27 years, 112 days | Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US | |
| 52 | Win | 40–9–3 | Art Weigand | PTS | 6 | Mar 19, 1928 | 27 years, 98 days | Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US | |
| 51 | Win | 39–9–3 | Pat McCarthy | UD | 10 | Feb 20, 1928 | 27 years, 70 days | Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 50 | Win | 38–9–3 | Jack Humbeeck | PTS | 10 | Jan 13, 1928 | 27 years, 32 days | Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 49 | Draw | 37–9–3 | Mike McTigue | PTS | 10 | Nov 11, 1927 | 26 years, 334 days | Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 48 | Win | 37–9–2 | Joe Lohman | PTS | 10 | Oct 3, 1927 | 26 years, 295 days | Maple Leaf Stadium, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 47 | Win | 36–9–2 | Martin Burke | PTS | 10 | Aug 19, 1927 | 26 years, 250 days | Maple Leaf Stadium, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 46 | Win | 35–9–2 | Emilio Solomon | PTS | 10 | Aug 5, 1927 | 26 years, 236 days | Maple Leaf Stadium, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 45 | Loss | 34–9–2 | Martin Burke | PTS | 10 | Jul 28, 1927 | 26 years, 228 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 44 | Win | 34–8–2 | Tony Stabenau | PTS | 10 | May 20, 1927 | 26 years, 159 days | Arena Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 43 | Win | 33–8–2 | Ray Neuman | PTS | 10 | Apr 29, 1927 | 26 years, 138 days | Arena Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 42 | Win | 32–8–2 | Quintin Romero Rojas | PTS | 10 | Mar 18, 1927 | 26 years, 96 days | Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 41 | Win | 31–8–2 | Soldier Jones | TKO | 5 (10), 0:30 | Feb 28, 1927 | 26 years, 78 days | Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Won Canada heavyweight title |
| 40 | Win | 30–8–2 | Joe Burke | KO | 3 (10), 0:30 | Jan 24, 1927 | 26 years, 43 days | Standard Theatre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 39 | Loss | 29–8–2 | George Godfrey | RTD | 6 (10), 3:00 | Nov 8, 1926 | 25 years, 331 days | Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US | For vacant world colored heavyweight title |
| 38 | Win | 29–7–2 | Tony Stabenau | PTS | 10 | Jun 21, 1926 | 25 years, 191 days | Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US | |
| 37 | Win | 28–7–2 | Bud Gorman | PTS | 10 | May 14, 1926 | 25 years, 153 days | Arena Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 36 | Win | 27–7–2 | Dixie Kid | KO | 2 (10) | Apr 12, 1926 | 25 years, 121 days | Arena Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 35 | Win | 26–7–2 | Ernst Roesemann | TKO | 3 (10) | Feb 12, 1926 | 25 years, 62 days | Kaiserdamm Arena, Weimar Republic | |
| 34 | Win | 25–7–2 | Louis Clement | KO | 2 (10) | Feb 1, 1926 | 25 years, 51 days | Schumann Theater, Frankfurt, Weimar Republic | |
| 33 | Win | 24–7–2 | Ludwig Haymann | PTS | 10 | Dec 15, 1925 | 25 years, 3 days | Frankfurt, Weimar Republic | |
| 32 | Win | 23–7–2 | Louis Clement | TKO | 6 (10) | Oct 16, 1925 | 24 years, 308 days | Bickendorfer Festhalle, Cologne, Weimar Republic | |
| 31 | Win | 22–7–2 | Max Schmeling | KO | 2 (10) | Aug 28, 1925 | 24 years, 259 days | Kristallpalast, Cologne, Weimar Republic | |
| 30 | Win | 21–7–2 | Eugene Lallemand | KO | 2 (10) | May 22, 1925 | 24 years, 161 days | Stadthalle, Elberfeld, Weimar Republic | |
| 29 | Draw | 20–7–2 | Ludwig Haymann | PTS | 10 | Apr 3, 1925 | 24 years, 112 days | Sportpalast, Weimar Republic | |
| 28 | Win | 20–7–1 | Rudi Wagener | DQ | 9 (10) | Mar 20, 1925 | 24 years, 98 days | Bickendorfer Festhalle, Cologne, Weimar Republic | |
| 27 | Win | 19–7–1 | Heinz Marko | KO | 2 (10) | Feb 13, 1925 | 24 years, 63 days | Bickendorfer Festhalle, Cologne, Weimar Republic | |
| 26 | Win | 18–7–1 | Joe Mehling | PTS | 10 | Jan 18, 1925 | 24 years, 37 days | Schauburgring, Cologne, Weimar Republic | |
| 25 | Loss | 17–7–1 | George Cook | PTS | 10 | Dec 6, 1924 | 23 years, 360 days | Jahrhunderthalle, Wroclaw, Poland | |
| 24 | Loss | 17–6–1 | Harry Persson | KO | 2 (15) | Oct 31, 1924 | 23 years, 324 days | Cirkus, Stockholm, Sweden | |
| 23 | Win | 17–5–1 | Franz Diener | KO | 10 (10) | Oct 4, 1924 | 23 years, 297 days | Hippodrom, Frankfurt, Weimar Republic | |
| 22 | Win | 16–5–1 | Herman Sjouwerman | TKO | 5 (?) | Sep 14, 1924 | 23 years, 277 days | Cologne, Weimar Republic | |
| 21 | Win | 15–5–1 | Laurent Mahieu | TKO | 3 (10) | Aug 30, 1924 | 23 years, 262 days | Bickendorfer Festhalle, Cologne, Weimar Republic | |
| 20 | Win | 14–5–1 | Alf Bright | PTS | 10 | Aug 17, 1924 | 23 years, 249 days | Bickendorfer Festhalle, Cologne, Weimar Republic | |
| 19 | Win | 13–5–1 | Bertus Ahaus | TKO | 2 (10) | Jul 13, 1924 | 23 years, 214 days | Wielerbaan, Rotterdam, Netherlands | |
| 18 | Win | 12–5–1 | Giuseppe Spalla | PTS | 10 | Jun 5, 1924 | 23 years, 176 days | Radrennbahn im Stadium, Cologne, Weimar Republic | |
| 17 | Win | 11–5–1 | Michael Stein | PTS | 10 | May 11, 1924 | 23 years, 151 days | Alberthalle, Leipzig, Weimar Republic | |
| 16 | Win | 10–5–1 | Max Dähling | PTS | 10 | Apr 15, 1924 | 23 years, 125 days | Zentralhallen, Bremen, Weimar Republic | |
| 15 | Loss | 9–5–1 | Hans Breitensträter | KO | 3 (12) | Apr 14, 1924 | 23 years, 124 days | Bickendorfer Festhalle, Cologne, Weimar Republic | |
| 14 | Win | 9–4–1 | Tom Ireland | KO | 1 (10) | Mar 21, 1924 | 23 years, 100 days | Zentralhallen, Bremen, Weimar Republic | |
| 13 | Win | 8–4–1 | Paul Journee | PTS | 10 | Feb 27, 1924 | 23 years, 77 days | Cirque de Paris, Paris, France | |
| 12 | Loss | 7–4–1 | Marcel Nilles | KO | 3 (12) | Feb 13, 1924 | 23 years, 63 days | Cirque de Paris, Paris, France | |
| 11 | Draw | 7–3–1 | Michael Kompa Stein | PTS | 10 | Jan 6, 1924 | 23 years, 25 days | Kristallpalast, Cologne, Weimar Republic | |
| 10 | Win | 7–3 | Constant Barrick | PTS | 10 | Dec 19, 1923 | 23 years, 7 days | Palais d'Hiver, Lyon, France | |
| 9 | Win | 6–3 | Laurent Mahieu | KO | 2 (?) | Dec 5, 1923 | 22 years, 358 days | Salle Wagram, Paris, France | |
| 8 | Loss | 5–3 | Jack Humbeeck | PTS | 12 | Oct 16, 1923 | 22 years, 308 days | Rubenspaleis, Antwerpen, Belgium | |
| 7 | Win | 5–2 | Pierre Charles | KO | 1 (10) | Oct 3, 1923 | 22 years, 295 days | Salle Wagram, Paris, France | |
| 6 | Loss | 4–2 | Quintin Romero Rojas | KO | 11 (12) | Sep 5, 1923 | 22 years, 267 days | Salle Wagram, Paris, France | |
| 5 | Win | 4–1 | Laurent Mahieu | KO | 2 (?) | Aug 25, 1923 | 22 years, 256 days | Stade Anastasie, Paris, France | |
| 4 | Win | 3–1 | Paul Journee | PTS | 15 | Aug 15, 1923 | 22 years, 246 days | Vélodrome Tivoli, Bourges, France | |
| 3 | Win | 2–1 | Pierre Aussenac | KO | 3 (?) | Aug 11, 1923 | 22 years, 242 days | Stade Anastasie, Paris, France | |
| 2 | Win | 1–1 | Louis Danis | TKO | 3 (10) | Aug 5, 1923 | 22 years, 236 days | Stade Anastasie, Paris, France | |
| 1 | Loss | 0–1 | Frank Moody | TKO | 5 (15) | Jun 23, 1923 | 22 years, 193 days | The Ring, Southwark, London, England, UK |
References[edit]
- ^ "BoxRec: Login".
- ^ a b Gains, Larry (1976) The Impossible Dream, Leisure Publications Ltd, 14 Fleet Street, London EC4
- ^ a b "One-time Boxing Great Now Just Rag Collector", Leader-Post, 23 March 1963, p. 27. Retrieved 13 March 2012
- ^ "Amateur Boxing Held at Toronto", Quebec Telegraph, 21 November 1921, p. 3. Retrieved 13 March 2012
- ^ "Toronto Daily Star", 22 April 1922 "Superb Battling in Ontario Finals"
- ^ Page, Joseph S. (2010) Primo Carnera: The Life and Career of the Heavyweight Boxing Champion, McFarland & Co Inc, ISBN 978-0786448104, p. 82
- ^ "Larry Gains Won", The Gazette (Montreal), 13 April 1926, p. 17
- ^ a b Andrews, David L. (2001) Michael Jordan, Inc.: Corporate Sport, Media Culture and Late Modern America, State University of New York Press, ISBN 978-0791450253, p. 211
- ^ a b c d e f Cope, Michael (1974) "The Man Who Broke Boxing's Color Bar", The Vancouver Sun, 2 March 1974, p. 18 (Weekend magazine). Retrieved 12 March 2012
- ^ a b c "Larry Gains, Old Boxer, Goes to Jail", Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, 15 May 1953, p. 1. Retrieved 12 March 2012
- ^ Fruman, Andrew "A Backward Glance-1931, The Year in Boxing: Larry Gains Wins Empire Title, Brown & Sanstol in Action", thecruelestsport.com. Retrieved 12 March 2012
- ^ Cummings, A.C. (1932) "Gains Failed to Hold Early Lead", Calgary Daily Herald, 30 January 1932, p. 7. Retrieved 12 March 2012
- ^ "Points For Johnson". The Sheffield Independent. 29 January 1932. p. 10. Retrieved 13 January 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Len Johnson Wins". The Derby Daily Telegraph. 29 January 1932. p. 10. Retrieved 30 December 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Len Johnson's Fine Boxing". The Sheffield Daily Telegraph. 29 January 1932. p. 7. Retrieved 30 December 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Match for Len Johnson". The Daily Herald. 23 January 1932. p. 15. Retrieved 30 December 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Larry Gains Beats Carnera on Points as 70,000 Look On", The Gazette (Montreal), 31 May 1932, p. 11
- ^ "Empire Heavyweight Championship: Petersen Beats Gains", The Sydney Morning Herald, 12 September 1934, p. 22. Retrieved 12 March 2012
- ^ Humber, William (2004) A Sporting Chance: Achievements of African-Canadian Athletes, Natural Heritage Books, ISBN 978-1896219998
- ^ "Gains, Harvey Battle for Title", The Border Cities Star, 8 February 1934, p. 3. Retrieved 12 March 2012
- ^ "Court Tribute to Larry Gains: Bankruptcy Examination Closed". Western Daily Press. 17 June 1937. Retrieved 20 September 2014 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "James Outpointed by Larry Gains", Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, 13 December 1938, p. 11. Retrieved 12 March 2012
- ^ Nickleson, Allan (1942) "Larry Gains Fighting His Biggest Battle", Calgary Herald, 16 September 1942, p. 15. Retrieved 13 March 2012
- ^ "Larry Gains Beaten: Knocked Out in Second Round by Jack London", The Gazette (Montreal), 8 June 1942, p. 17. Retrieved 12 March 2012
- ^ "Larry Gains, Bankrupt, Faces Inquiry", The Straits Times, 5 June 1937, p. 18
- ^ "Larry Gains Just Reflects on Ring Career", Calgary Herald, 16 February 1950, p. 27. Retrieved 13 March 2012
- ^ "Gains sentenced to term in jail", Leader-Post, 16 May 1953, p. 20. Retrieved 12 March 2012
- ^ "Ex-Heavyweight Boxer Larry Gains Suffers First 'K.O.' in his Life", The Indian Express, 26 May 1953, p. 6. Retrieved 13 March 2012
- ^ "Larry Gains Wins Sentence Appeal", Edmonton Journal, 16 July 1953, p. 18. Retrieved 12 March 2012
- ^ "Ex-British Champ Freed", Baltimore Afro-American, 18 July 1953, p. 19. Retrieved 12 March 2012
- ^ Limited, Alamy. "Jul. 07, 1973 - Larry Gaine Wine Jail Appeal - Larry Gaine, former British Empire heavy-Weight boxing champion his appeal yesterday against a sentence of three months' jail for theft. He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months at Southend Quarter Sessions. Gains had pleaded guilty in the lower court to stealing 222.12s 5d. from the British Legion Club, at which he had been steward. Yesterday it was stated that his friends had repaid the money to the club and had paid all the costs. Photo Shows: Larry Gains Celebrates with a little song at the Southend Hotel where he works Stock Photo - Alamy". www.alamy.com. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
- ^ "Boxer Gains Dies at 83", Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 28 July 1983, p. 16-B. Retrieved 12 March 2012
- ^ "Canada's Sports Hall of Fame". sportshall.ca. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
- ^ Parks Canada Agency, Government of Canada (1 November 2023). "Larry Gains — National Historic Person - Larry Gains National Historic Person (1900-1983)". parks.canada.ca. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ "Canada Honors Boxer Larry Gains". Mirage News. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ "BoxRec: Larry Gains".
External links[edit]
- Career record at Boxrec.com