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Benny Lynch

Benny Lynch (above, center), was born in the poor Gorbals section of Scotland on April 2, 1913. At 5 feet, 5 ½ inches, and 112 pounds, he started as a boothfighter. After winning 35 of 37 amateur fights, he turned pro in 1931.

Four and one half years into his professional career, Lynch KO'ed Jackie Brown in two rounds in what promoters acclaimed to be a "British, European and worlds's flyweight title match." It was not until January 19, 1937, however, that Lynch won universal acclaim as champion of the world, when he took a 15 round decision from Small Montana (photo above, right) in London.

After successfully defending his undisputed crown twice against Peter Kane, Lynch undramatically lost it on June 29, 1938, when he failed to make the weight for a title defense against Jackie Jurich in Paisley, Scotland. Although the title was officially abandoned, the fight was fought anyway, and Lynch floored Jurich (photo below) six times and knocked him out in the 12th round.

Lynch has been ranked by many Britishers right up there with Jimmy Wilde as one of the greatest flyweights in the history of the sport. He was a calculating boxer on the attack, as well as an outstanding defensive fighter, getting his gloves up and rolling, ducking and bending away from the blows. In a total of 72 recorded bouts, he is said to have left 27 opponents "crawling around the ring on their hands and knees looking for their lost dignity." He was defeated only six times, and racked up one unbeaten string of 50 fights. Sadly, after his retirement he quickly succumbed to alcoholism and died in Scotland in 1946 at the age of 33.

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