Early Career
He was born in Stranton, West Hartlepool, County Durham. He made his professional debut in January 1931, in West Hartlepool, winning by a knockout in the first round. He took the ring name of Jack London, after the American author, who also covered fights for American boxing magazines. London was six feet tall and big framed, with a style that some regarded as crude and cumbersome. He fought most of his early fights in his native North East, whilst continuing to work as a lorry driver.
He did not fight in the capital until October 1932, losing at Blackfriars against Jack O’Malley, an Australian heavyweight due to an injured hand. In November 1933, he fought Ben Foord, later to become British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion himself. London lost on points over ten rounds at the Crystal Palace. In December 1933, he also fought the Commonwealth (Empire) champion, Larry Gains, being knocked out by the Canadian in the second round. In February 1935, he lost another points decision against Ben Foord. In March 1936 London fought the American ex-world-light-heavyweight champion, Tommy Loughran, losing on points over ten rounds. London next had a points win against another American, Obie Walker, and then went to fight in Berlin against Hans Schonrath, gaining another points decision.
London’s recent successes against good quality opponents appeared to have put him in line for a title challenge against British heavyweight champion, Tommy Farr, but Farr seemed reluctant to fight him, perhaps because he was not a draw for crowds. In May 1937 London fought the American, Buddy Baer, brother of Max Baer, losing on points over ten rounds. Baer was later to fight Joe Louis twice for the world heavyweight title, losing both fights. When Farr relinquished his heavyweight title, London was ignored and Len Harvey beat Eddie Phillips to take the vacant British heavyweight title in December 1938.
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