Jock McAvoy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jock McAvoy (November 20, 1908–November 20, 1971) was a British boxer who fought from 1927 to 1945. He was born Joseph Bamford McAvoy in Burnley, Lancashire, and during his career held the British and commonwealth middleweight titles. McAvoy's bid to capture the European middleweight crown was derailed when he lost an unanimous decision to future world middleweight champion Marcel Thil of France in Paris on January 15, 1935.

McAvoy then decided to campaign as a light heavyweight in the United States. In November of 1935 he made his debut in America, and put together a win streak that culminated in his obtaining a title shot in famed Madison Square Garden in New York. On March 13, 1936 he was outpointed over 15 rounds by world champion John Henry Lewis.

After his unsuccessful bid to capture the light heavyweight crown, McAvoy returned to England. His most important bouts thereafter were against Len Harvey, who outpointed him twice over 15 rounds, and future light heavyweight world champion Freddie Mills, who decisioned and KOed McAvoy.

McAvoy was a hard puncher who scored 89 KOs in his 132 wins. He lost 14 times and was held to a draw once. McAvoy was named to the Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.