My Grandfather and Islington's Champ Len Harvey (Nominee for Islingtons people Plaque)

My

Grandfather and the famous boxer of the 30's Len Harvey

 

 

  

My name is Anthony May and unfortunately I have no living

memory of my grandfather, Walter Henry May, as he died when I was only

2-years-old. But thanks to his notoriety at the time, his story appeared in

numerous newspapers, books and magazines, and I owe a special thanks to Glyn

Roberts for his recent research into Len Harvey and my grandfather.

 Wally May knew Len Harvey throughout Len's professional

boxing career. They met when Len was a young man, after he moved with his

family from Cornwall to Chalk Farm, which was very close to where my

grandfather lived in Camden Town, London.

As Wally was a trainer, lived close and followed the boxing

circuits, he crossed paths with Harvey many times. But since Len already had a trainer Wally

wasn't involved in his early career – though I believe he knew instinctively

that the young man had promise and was destined to become a champion.

When Len reached boxing heights and was becoming a

household name it was decided he should venture to America. But this was the 1930s, when those involved with

organised crime called the shots. Harvey was odds-on favourite to win the contests he was entered

for, but with only three fights in the USA, dubious point decisions were soon given against him. It

didn't help that Len always respected the other fighter and would never

demoralise or knock out early in a fight to an angry, paying crowd. But he

wanted to entertain them, showing off his pugilistic skills, in defence especially,

he seemed to give his opponent a second chance – a rarity at a time when boxers

where commonly known as sluggers and brutes. Len's unique style and ring behaviour were noted by Gilbert

Odd, at the time a famous boxing correspondent. He called Len "The Prince of

Boxers" and later wrote a book with the same title.

Len had to make a dramatic exit from America – a story,

and, indeed, an adventure in its own right. Gilbert Odd wrote that Len had been

well and truly taken for a ride by the gangster influence that appeared to hold

New York boxing in its grip.

With the drama and fight losses in America, Len realised the odds were stacked against him. But still

under contract he decided to do a "moonlight flit" on a ship bound for England, or so the story goes…

After losing his third fight following another dubious

decision, with the help of its staff Len slipped away from the hotel by way of

the goods lift, hiding in luggage trolleys and strolling past the Hoodlums in

the lobby.

As part of the getaway plan, he managed to board the

American boat The Leviathan which was docked in the New York, being American the thugs would first search the British

and French boats, with the Captain agreeing to help, stowing him in the Captains

Bridge, making it impossible for unwanted guests to search.

 Like the best motion picture thriller the boat left the

dock slowly, as others nearby were being searched. Gilbert Odd has written

about this in more detail. I've heard snippets that cannot be verified, of the

flashing of guns and car chasing through New York – all classic elements of a cheap pulp fiction novel.

While escaping back to England Gilbert wrote that Len turned to his wife and,

going pass the Statue of Liberty, remarked: "for me this is the best part of

the trip – going home."

Back at home, however, he was a nearly forgotten fighter –

cue Wally May's return into what would be Len's second coming. Who approached

who is not quite clear but with Wally's new, revolutionary methods away from

sweaty gyms Len entered a career renaissance, training outdoors in the fresh

air and taking cold water dips and ice baths for muscle recovery. At a time

when the majority of people, including the British Press, had written him off

as a has been, a flash in the pan, Len reminded people of his pugilistic

greatness, reaching heights because of Wally that even he didn't think

possible.

 With his new training regime, innate boxing talent and

great determination Len won three Lonsdale belts outright, becoming

British-middle, light-heavy and heavy-weight champion. The only other boxer to

achieve this feat was Bob Fitzsimmons, also from Cornwall, in the 1890s. Under Wally's training Len also became the

record holder for the world's strongest grip.

 The relationship between Len and Wally remained close until

my grandfather's final days. One of Len's biggest complements to his dominative

friend was, "If only I had a punch like you, Wally." In a further recognition

of his influence, the champion said:

 "All the credit for my fighting fitness in the ring must go

to my trainer, Wally May."