Benny Lynch (1913-1946), Scotland's first world boxing champion, photographed in the 1930s.
Lynch was born in the Gorbals in 1913. He turned professional aged 18, developing his talent in boxing booths. At 5 feet 5 inches in height, he fought as a flyweight but possessed a punching power that belied his stature.
In May 1934 Lynch won the Scottish title from Jim Campbell. On 8 September, 1935, he took on reigning British, European and World flyweight champion Jackie Brown in Manchester. Lynch became champion when the fight was stopped in the second round. Huge crowds turned out to welcome him home to Glasgow. Victory over Small Montana in 1937 saw him crowned undisputed world champion.
By 1938 Lynch was having weight problems, and was stripped of his title for failing to make the weight for a title defence. He was knocked out for the first time in 1938 at the age of 25, and never entered the ring again. Alcoholism took a hold, and he died at the age of just 33.
Reference: Mitchell Library, GC 796.830924 LYN
Rreproduced from "Benny Lynch" by John Burrowes, published by Mainstream Publishing
Keywords:
alcoholics, alcoholism, boxers, boxing, fighters, flyweights, world champions
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