HACK PETERSEN

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 63, 11 September 1937, Page 23

HACK PETERSEN

EYE TROUBLE ENDS CAREER

The retirement from the ring of Jack Petersen, former British and Empire heavyweight boxing chainpi<Jn, was the result of, injuries which Petersen received in bouts with Len Harvey and Walter Neusel during the last two years. An/eye specialist informed him that his eyes' had suffered permanent damage as a result of his ring activities, and that he would have to wear spectacles. Petersen was further warned that should his eyes sustain any new injury his sight • would be gravely endangered. \ Later he met Mr. Sydney Hulls, the Harringay promoter, arid told him that in the .circumstances he had decided to box no more. The contests provided for in a contract offered by Mr. Hulls, and estimated to be worth at least £10,000 to Petersen, would have to be abandoned. Mr. Hulls told "The Daily Telegraph" that Petersen. did not seem to be too depressed at the specialist's verdict. FIVE YEARS IN GAME. Petersen turned .professional boxer in 1932 after winning the British amateur heavyweight championship. He had a public school education, and originally intended to become a doctor. Although Petersen has fought fewer than 50 professional contests, he has undoubtedly been the most popular British heavyweight boxer since Bombardier Wells.

He is now aged 26, and in less than five years of boxing has earned approximately £40,000. He owns a house in Cardiff where he lives with his wife and young son.

He won his first professional title by defeating Harry Crossly for the light-heavyweight championship of Great Britain. In July, 1932, he knocked out Reggie Meen and won the British heavyweight championship.

One year later he beat Jack Doyle on a foul, but received heavy body

punishment from which he took, months to recover. In November, 1933, he lost his championship to Len Harvey, a split eyebrow contributing considerably to his defeat. SPLIT EYEBROW. Six months later he won the title back, but there followed two defeats at the hands of Walter Neusel, the German. In both cases his eye was damaged. Petersen lost the heavyweight championship to Ben Foord, of South Africa, in, August of last year. In the third round, after the old wound over the eye had been reopened, the referee stopped the contest to< save: the Welshman from further injury. Mr. Jimmy Wilde, the former flyweight champion of the world, said recently:— •

"Jack was not the cleverest boxer this country has produced, * but for lion-hearted courage he; has never been surpassed."