Brian London
Brian London ( born June 19, 1934 in Blackpool, England ) is a retired British boxer.
Career
Brian London was after a short amateur time already with 19 years of professional boxers. He played his first fight on March 22, 1955 in London against Dennis Lockton and won by TKO in the first round. Brian London struggled throughout his career as a heavyweight and weighed in its heyday about 93 kg. The first twelve fights in his career, of which he won, he played in all England. Among the defeated him boxers were Eugene Robert, the Belgian Champion and Jim Cooper, brother of Henry Cooper, with whom he was to deliver some tough fights in the coming years.
His first foreign launch was conducted by Brian London on 7 July 1962 after Brescia in Italy. He fought there against former European champion in the light heavyweight Sante Amonti and lost over 10 rounds on points. After three victories over the certainly not bad Howard King Of Clay and Tom McNeeley Brian London accepted an offer from the former world champion Ingemar Johansson of Sweden for a fight in Stockholm. This battle took place on 21 April 1963. Brian London went there with Ingemar Johansson for the full distance of 12 rounds, but lost on points.
On February 24, 1964 Brian London got the chance in Manchester against Henry Cooper to box for the vacant European title in the heavyweight division. At the same time it was in this battle for the British Championship and to the British Empire Heavyweight Title. London and Cooper fought a fierce battle, the Cooper after 15 rounds narrowly won on points.
After Brian London then defeated some very strong opponents, he succeeded on 21 June 1966 in Liverpool, a victory over the Americans Amos Johnson. Then Brian London was given the opportunity on August 8, 1966 in the Earls Court Arena in London against Muhammad Ali to fight for the world championship. Muhammad Ali was then at the zenith of his career, defeating Brian London by KO in the 3rd round. Brian London declared yet years later, it was the greatest honor of his athletic career for him to be able to fight against Muhammad Ali for the world championship.
After this fight the career of Brian London got a clear elbow down. He lost in the next few years more battles than he won. However, it must be noted that he was afraid of any opponent and all, even the most serious opponent accepted. He won in those years, inter alia, nor Willi Schagen from the Netherlands, Kitione Lave from Tonga, Joe Erskine and Peter Bates from England and Pete Rademacher, Zora Folley and Willie Pastrano from the U.S.. Defeats he had to plug in the United States by his compatriots Henry Cooper, Jack Bodell and Dick Richardson and Heinz Neuhaus in Germany, Nino Valdes from Cuba, Jerry Quarry and Eddie making. After a TKO defeat in the 5th round against his young compatriot Joe Bugner on May 12, 1970 in London, he ended his professional career.
After the end of his career boxer Brian London became a successful businessman. He ran seven times nightclubs. He is married and still lives in Blackpool.
Championship bouts
- June 6, 1958, knockout victory in the eighth round of Joe Erskine at the British Championships in the heavyweight division and to the British Empire Heavyweight Title,
- January 12, 1959, point defeat against Henry Cooper at the British Championships in the heavyweight division and to the British Empire Heavyweight Title,
- February 24, 1964, point defeat against Henry Cooper at the European Championship and the British Heavyweight Title and around the British Empire Heavyweight Title,
- August 6, 1966, knockout defeat in the third round against Muhammad Ali in the fight for the world heavyweight championship
Swell
- Trade journal Box Sport from 1954 to 1970
- Website " www.boxrec.com "
- Website " www.britishboxing.net "