He moved up to lightweight and, after beating Tommy McInnes and Alf Mancini, fought Jack Kirk in November 1924 for the vacant British title, winning on points over twenty rounds.
[4][5] He had three further fights that year - wins over Belgian champion Henri Dupont and Rene Kelly and a loss by fourth-round knockout to Ernie Rice.
[6] Izzard appeared in newspaper advertisements endorsing Virol (a bone-marrow preparation) in the mid 1920s, stating that having been born with a weight of only 3lbs and 2oz, taking the product had turned him into a championship boxer.
[7] In 1928 he travelled to Australia for a series of fights starting with a draw with Charlie Purdy in January, a win over Irishman Bob Miller in April, and a win over Purdy in May.
[8][9] In June he challenged Tommy Fairhall for the British Empire lightweight title at the Sydney Stadium, losing on points over fifteen rounds.