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Eric Boon
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Eric Boon
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Eric Boon (28 December 1919 – 19 January 1981) was a champion British lightweight boxer. Born in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, he was known by the nicknames Boy Boon and the Fen Tiger.[1] Of a total of 119 fights, he won 92 (KO 62), lost 21 (KO 13) and drew 5.[1]

Key Information

He beat Dave Crowley on 15 December 1938 to become British Lightweight Champion, a title he held for three years until 12 August 1944. His match against Arthur Danahar from the Harringay Arena was the first televised boxing match, broadcast on BBC television and shown live in several cinemas on 23 February 1939.[2]

Boon v Danaher was the first occasion that the BBC had been permitted to televise a boxing match but also the first time a transmission had been shown live to a paying audience in cinemas (the Marble Arch Pavilion and the Tatler News Theatre). This was achieved on Baird projection equipment using a 16-inch projection tube running at 45,000 volts, producing light levels comparable to that of normal films. Each projection unit contained two projection tubes, one acting as a backup in case the first one failed.[3] This preceded the first televised heavyweight boxing match (Max Baer vs Lou Nova, from Yankee Stadium) which was held on 1 June 1939.

Boon married Wendy Elliot in 1940 and, following his retirement from the sport, played a number of small roles in British films such as Champagne Charlie and Carry On Sergeant.[4] He died from a heart attack on 19 January 1981 in Soham, Cambridgeshire. [5]

References

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Further reading

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Eric Boon

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Eric Boon was a British professional boxer known for holding the British lightweight championship from 1938 to 1944. Born in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, England, he turned professional in 1935 and quickly rose to prominence with his aggressive, crowd-pleasing style and powerful punching. Boon captured the national lightweight title by defeating Dave Crowley in a memorable contest and successfully defended it several times against top contenders of the era, establishing himself as one of Britain's leading fighters during the late 1930s and early 1940s. His career spanned the pre-World War II and wartime periods, during which he became a popular figure in British boxing for his exciting bouts and resilience in the ring. After losing the title in 1944, Boon continued competing until 1951 before retiring from the sport. In later years, he worked as a publican in his hometown of Chatteris, where he remained a respected local figure until his death in 1981.

Early life

Birth and background

Eric Boon was born on 28 December 1919 in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, England. He grew up in the Fenland region, a distinctive low-lying area of eastern England characterized by its reclaimed marshlands and agricultural heritage. From early in life, Boon was known by the nickname "Boy Boon," which reflected his youthful appearance and would remain associated with him throughout his public life.

Introduction to boxing

Eric Boon was born in the Fenland town of Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, where the local working-class culture and agricultural roots fostered a strong tradition of boxing among young men. He began boxing as a youth in local Cambridgeshire clubs after an incident at age 11 in 1930, when he was caught fighting a bully in the playground of King Edward School in Chatteris, which sparked his involvement in the sport. This early exposure aligned with the tough, resilient ethos of the Fens, contributing to his nickname "Fen Tiger" and his rapid development in local amateur boxing scenes. Boon turned professional at age 15, making his debut on January 17, 1935. His decision to go pro reflected the opportunities boxing offered for advancement in the region's working-class communities during the interwar period.

Professional boxing career

Early professional fights and rise

Eric Boon turned professional in early 1935 at the age of 15, making his debut on January 17, 1935. He earned the nickname "Boy Boon" due to his youth and boyish appearance when he entered the paid ranks. Some accounts suggest he participated in unofficial or booth fights as early as 1933 at age 13, including a bout against Paddy Chilvers on December 7, 1933, but his official professional record begins in 1935. Throughout 1935 to 1937, Boon fought regularly in the lightweight division, compiling a strong record with a high proportion of knockouts that highlighted his power and aggressive style. His consistent victories against domestic opponents built his reputation as a rising contender, drawing attention for his speed, showmanship, and knockout ability in the years leading up to his title challenge. By 1938, his impressive form positioned him for a shot at the British lightweight championship.

British lightweight championship

Eric Boon won the vacant British lightweight championship on 23 December 1938, defeating Dave Crowley by unanimous 15-round points decision at Harringay Arena in London. At 18 years old, he became the youngest boxer to hold a British title. He successfully defended the title several times over the following years against top contenders. In a rematch with Crowley on 22 May 1939 at White City Stadium in London, Boon was stopped in the 14th round. Boon held the title until 12 August 1944, when he lost it to Ronnie James via stoppage at Cardiff Arms Park.

Later fights and retirement

After losing the British lightweight title to Ronnie James via stoppage on 12 August 1944 at Cardiff Arms Park, Eric Boon initially retired from professional boxing. Financial pressures stemming from his lifestyle prompted a return to the ring just 11 months later. He subsequently attempted to transition to welterweight, challenging Arthur Danahar in a British welterweight title eliminator on 14 May 1946 but was knocked down in the fourth round and stopped in the tenth. Boon then fought extensively abroad, winning six consecutive bouts in South Africa and Zambia before dropping a decision to Giel De Roode on 8 September 1947 in Johannesburg. He continued as a travelling fighter in the United States, Canada, and Australia, securing only one victory in his next eleven contests while absorbing several knockout losses. The British Boxing Board of Control ultimately withdrew his licence due to these inconsistent results. His final professional appearance came on 31 October 1952 against Pat Ford at Brisbane Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, ending in defeat. Boon retired from the sport thereafter. His career concluded with a professional record of 125 bouts, 97 wins (64 by knockout), 22 losses, 5 draws, and 1 no contest.

Film career

Appearance in The Arsenal Stadium Mystery

Eric Boon has no documented appearance in the 1939 British film The Arsenal Stadium Mystery, directed by Thorold Dickinson. Comprehensive cast lists and production details from authoritative sources, including the British Film Institute and Screenonline, do not include him among the credited or uncredited participants. The film combines elements of sport and mystery, depicting a murder investigation following the poisoning of a player during a charity football match at Arsenal's Highbury stadium, with real Arsenal team members appearing as themselves in football sequences. Despite Boon's high profile as the reigning British lightweight boxing champion in 1938–1939, which aligned with the film's production period and might have suggested a possible cameo as a boxer or guest sports figure, no evidence supports such involvement. Claims of Boon's participation in the film appear unsubstantiated by reliable records, and his verified acting credits date from later periods.

Military service

Service in the Royal Air Force

Eric Boon served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, attaining the rank of Aircraftman. In February 1941, as a serving member of the RAF, he participated in a charity boxing tournament organized to raise funds for the RAF Benevolent Fund, defeating Corporal Dave Finn on points in one of the featured bouts. The event, which included other serving RAF boxers and raised £5000 for the fund, highlighted professional boxers contributing to wartime morale and charitable efforts while on active service. He was subsequently discharged from the RAF following a serious motorbike accident that led to his medical release from duty. Despite medical advice against continuing his career, Boon resumed professional boxing after the discharge.

Later life and death

Post-boxing career

After retiring from professional boxing following his last fight in October 1952, Eric Boon encountered significant financial hardships stemming from a pattern of extravagant living during his fighting days and a series of unsuccessful business ventures. These difficulties led to a period of hand-to-mouth existence in the years immediately after his career ended. In his later years Boon turned to charity fundraising, becoming a committed supporter of causes benefiting fellow former boxers even as he grappled with his own monetary challenges. During this phase he achieved greater personal stability and contentment than he had known earlier in life. He resided in Soham, Cambridgeshire, through his final years.

Death

Eric Boon died on 19 January 1981 at the age of 61. Some sources report that he suffered a heart attack and died in Newmarket General Hospital or in the nearby area of Soham, Cambridgeshire.

Legacy

Recognition and historical significance

Eric Boon is recognized in boxing history for becoming one of the youngest holders of the British lightweight championship, winning the title at the age of 18 (13 days before his 19th birthday). This achievement marked him as a promising talent in pre-war British boxing, though his career trajectory was later affected by other commitments. Boon had minor roles in several British films and television productions from the 1940s to the 1960s, including appearances in films such as Champagne Charlie (1944) and Carry On Constable (1960), often in boxing-related or small parts. Beyond these points, Boon's historical significance remains relatively limited, with little evidence of widespread posthumous recognition or lasting influence in boxing annals or film history.

Areas of limited documentation

Despite a relatively well-documented boxing career through sites like BoxRec and some biographical articles, primary sources on Eric Boon's family background remain limited, with most accounts mentioning only his birth in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, without details on parents, siblings, or home life. Similarly, information on his early amateur career is sparse, generally limited to brief references that he began boxing at age 11 after a schoolyard fight and joined a local club, but without in-depth records or contemporary accounts. Details on Boon's post-war personal life and the precise circumstances of his retirement are also scarce; while sources note his final recorded fight in 1952 and the withdrawal of his boxing licence by the British Boxing Board of Control, there is little documentation of his activities, occupation, or personal circumstances during the nearly three decades leading to his death in 1981. These gaps highlight the reliance on boxing records and select entertainment databases for core facts, underscoring areas where further primary research could provide greater clarity.
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