Harry Mason (Whitechapel)
Born: 27/03/1903, Bethnal Green, London
Died: 27/08/1977
Long before Muhammad Ali, a Jewish East Ender called Harry Mason claimed all the headlines as boxing's most outrageous showman. He hailed from Fellbrigg Street, Bethnal Green but started boxing in Leeds while working as a trolley boy for L.N.E.R.
After numerous wins he returned to East London, fought furiously for three years and became British and European lightweight champion. After a stint in America, he returned to Britain to challenge Scotland's Johnny Brown for the British welterweight belt. Brown won their first battle but Mason took the title in a return. He drew with Len Harvey in his first defence, then lost his crown in 1926 to Birmingham's Jack Hood. Against the odds Mason recaptured the welterweight belt in 1934, at age 31, and battled on until 1937.
A defensive master, it was Mason's boast that no opponent had ever ruffled his carefully parted hair. He played the violin before fights to unsettle opponents and was also apt to address a crowd and recite verses from inside the ropes. Love him or hate him, Mason always entertained.
Recorded fights
Won: 127
Lost: 54
Drawn: 15
Divisions fought in
Welterweight
Lightweight