As a kid I had a booked called Henry Cooper's 100 greatest boxers. It contained a lot of UK fighters who were obviously many of his personal heroes, and probably wouldn't make a top 100 list on this forum, but it was interesting as a UK fight fan to learn about them. I don't have the book anymore but I was interested to get some info on the ones I remember from the book listed below. Eric Boon Ernie Roderick Jack Hood Len Harvey I would be interested to know if they were world class, any interesting details about their style and careers and how you rate them. Was not sure if Classic or British forum for this so please move if needed.
100% don't much about Hood but the other 3 are among Britain & Boxings greatest fighters, Len Harvey IS Britain's Greatest Ever Fighter. Roderick & Boon the same, arguably the greatest British Fighters at their respective weights.
I don't consider them great,but it's such a subjective word,you cannot argue with those who do. I would make Harvey the best of the bunch,closely followed by Roderick, both were world class imo.Boon and Hood not imo.
I have to look more into Harvey, wasn't that aware of him so interesting you rate him so highly. Will check out some of his fights!
he started as a 12 year old Flyweight, finished 20 plus years later as a Heavyweight, won titles at Welter, Middle, L-HW and HW, was World Classed in all 4 of them weights and a Top 10 in two of them, at MW & L-HW... fought damn near every Top Brit from WW to HW, Top Europeans and Americans at MW and L-HW... Overall, Len Harvey is the Greatest British fighter of alltime.
Interesting. For me that accolade belongs to Bob Fitzsimmons, or Jimmy Wilde if you dont accept Fitzsimmons as British.
What are the circumstances behind his world title bouts? I see he lost to Marcel Thill how I know nothing about and John Henry Lewis who I know is highly rated but that's all? Also was it difficult for UK fighters to get shots at world titles? I was reading on Wiki how Jack Hood struggled to get a shot: "Promoter Ted Salmon unsuccessfully tried to get Hood a fight with Young Corbett for the world welterweight title in 1933, and Hood filed a challenge with the New York State Athletic Commission in January 1934 for a world title fight with Jimmy McLarnin, but he didn't get a chance to challenge for the title." Hood vs Corbett and Hood vs McLarnin would make interesting H2H threads but I am not sure I would get many replies!
I don't think Harvey was word class at welterweight,who did he beat there to make you think he was? Harvey fought top Europeans and Americans , but how many did he beat?
I think Ted "Kid" Lewis would get my vote as Britain's Greatest Ever. That also trumps Roderick at Welter. Eric Boon better than Ken Buchanan or Jim Watt ?
When Birmingham celebrated its Centenary as a city, in 1989, Jack Hood was voted one of the Greatest Hundred Brummies. He was in his 90's at the time but was virtually blind. His Daughter picked up the award on his behalf and said he was thrilled to be remembered. I know he looked after his money and after retirement, owned and ran a pub in Tanworth in Arden. At least one of his Lonsdale Belts is still in the family. It was part of a Boxing exhibition at the Birmingham City Museum and Art Gallery in 2019.
