Main Performers | Tommy McGovern, Allan Tanner (British Guiana), Johnny McGowan (Wakefield), Eric Jensen (Denmark), Ron Johnson (Bethnal Green), Jimmy Cardew (Holloway), Jackie Braddock (Manchester), Christian Christensen* (Denmark), Jimmy Davis (Bethnal Green), Jimmy James (Jamaica), Lew Lazar (Aldgate), Charlie Kray (Bethnal Green), Reg Kray (Bethnal Green), Bobby Manito (Clapham), Ron Kray (Bethnal Green), Bill Sliney (King's Cross) - boxers |
Set List | Tommy McGovern* v Allan Tanner, Johnny McGowan (Wakefield) v Eric Jensen* (Denmark), Ron Johnson* (Bethnal Green) v Jimmy Cardew (Holloway), Jackie Braddock (Manchester) v Christian Christensen* (Denmark), Jimmy Davis* (Bethnal Green) v Jimmy James (Jamaica), Lew Lazar* (Aldgate) v Charlie Kray (Bethnal Green), Reg Kray* (Bethnal Green) v Bobby Manito (Clapham), Ron Kray (Bethnal Green) v Bill Sliney* (King's Cross)
*winners |
Performance Notes | The notorious Kray twins (aged 18 years) and brother Charlie all fought in this tournament. It would be their last boxing matches having first fought since being schoolchildren. The twins first match against each other has been in 1946 in the Hackney Schools Championships with Ronnie beat Reggie. In 1947 they both won the Hackney title and reggie became London schoolboy champion. In 1951 aged 17 years both twins turned professional at the Arena in Mile End, London and later that year, aged 18 years, fought at the Hall for this final match.
"McGOVERN WINS ON POINTS Tommy McGovern, the British lightweight champion, beat Allan Turner (British guiana) on points over 10 rounds at the Royal Albert Hall last night." (The Times, 12 December 1951) |
Related Archival Material | Programme (RAHE/1/1951/244) Poster (RAHE/2/1951/1) |