Jock McAvoy

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Jock McAvoy (November 20, 1908–November 20, 1971) was a British boxer who fought from 1927 to 1945. He was born Joseph Patrick Bamford in Rochdale, Lancashire,and initially discovered trained and managed by Joseph Tolley co-founder of the Bronson Belt. During his career held the British and commonwealth middleweight titles. McAvoy's bid to capture the European middleweight crown was derailed when he lost a unanimous decision to future world middleweight champion Marcel Thil of France in Paris on January 15, 1935.

He was unlucky never to have been World Middleweight Champion, considering his performance against Ed 'Babe' Risko. The American was champion when they fought, but as McAvoy was considered such a dangerous opponent, Risko's handlers would only allow the two to meet in a non-title affair. Their apprehension was fully justified when McAvoy utterly destroyed the champion, sending him to the canvas 6 times for a first round knockout. However, McAvoy had performed too well for his own good, and boxing politics being what they were, he was never allowed a rematch with the title at stake.

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, and his next fight was for the British and British Empire heavyweight titles held by Welshman, Jack Petersen. Petersen won the fifteen round fight on points. His most important bouts thereafter were against Len Harvey, who outpointed him twice over 15 rounds at Harringay Arena, and future light heavyweight world champion Freddie Mills, who beat him on points and forced him to retire in the re-match with an injured back.

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.