Mile End Arena
Situated in Eric Street, Bow, almost backing onto Mile End tube station, between the 1930s and mid-1950s the Mile End Arena was one of the East End's most popular boxing venues. A former fun-fair site, the open-air Arena was fenced inside corrugated iron walls and held around 1,800 spectators. Local youngsters (and some adults, too) climbed onto nearby buildings or sat on top of lampposts to watch the fights for free.
Sammy McCarthy, Eric Boon, Harry Mason, Arthur and Alf Danahar, Al Phillips, the Lazar brothers (Harry and Lew), the Softley brothers (Billy and Johnny), Harry Brooks, Harry Davis and Nipper Fred Morris were among the notables who boxed there.
In February 1935, a then unknown Puerto Rican named Pedro Montanez KO'd Camden Town's George Odwell in three rounds at the Arena. He went on to box both Lou Ambers and Henry Armstrong for the world lightweight crown and is considered one of the best men never to win a world title.
A certain Monek Prager - better known as Mickey Duff - broke into boxing promoting by matchmaking for the Arena.
