Jack Petersen (boxer)

John Charles Peterson OBE TD (2 September 1911 – 22 November 1990)[1] was a Welsh boxer who held the British heavyweight boxing title on two occasions.

He was awarded the Territorial Decoration (TD) in 1950 and appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1978 Birthday Honours "for services to Sport particularly in Wales.

Petersen won his first sixteen fights, in one of which he knocked out Dick Power to win the Welsh heavyweight title.

It took place at Holborn Stadium in May 1932 and Petersen beat Harry Crossley on points over 15 rounds to take his title.

Two months later, in July 1932, Petersen fought Reggie Meen for his British heavyweight title, in a bout held at Wimbledon Stadium, London.

Petersen had three more fights, winning them all, before defending his title again against Jack Doyle, a young boxer from County Cork.

They fought in June 1934 at the White City Stadium, London and this time Petersen was victorious by a twelfth-round technical knockout.

Next, Petersen defended his British Empire title against the Canadian boxer, Larry Gains, in September 1934.

The bout was at the White City Stadium and Petersen won by a technical knockout in the thirteenth round.

Petersen twice fought a young German heavyweight, Walter Neusel at Wembley, in February and June 1935, and lost both bouts by a technical knockout in the eleventh round.

He met Len Harvey for a third title fight in January 1936, at Wembley, and won on points over fifteen rounds.

Petersen's fourth title defence was against Ben Foord, whom he had knocked out in thirteen rounds in 1934, when preparing for his re-match with Len Harvey.