On 10 August 1931 McAvoy officially held the BBBofC Northern Area Middleweight Title when he defeated Joe Lowthner at King's Hall in Manchester, England.

On 21 December 1935, McAvoy was matched against the World Middleweight boxing champion, Ed 'Babe' Risko at Madison Square Garden in a non-title bout.

[4][5] McAvoy took the BBBofC British Light Heavyweight Title from Eddie Phillips in a fourteenth-round knockout on 27 April 1937 at Empire Pool at Wembley.

[6][7] McAvoy officially lost the BBBofC Light Heavyweight Title to Len Harvey on 7 April 1938 in a fast fifteen-round decision at Harringay Arena.

Harvey was cut over the right eye when both boxers bumped heads in the third round, and so skillfully ducked a blow by McAvoy in the tenth, that he nearly toppled from the ring.

[8][9] McAvoy lost another BBBofC World Light Heavyweight Title in a fifteen-round decision against Len Harvey on 10 July 1939 before an incredible crowd of 100,000 at White City Stadium in London.

[10] His most important remaining bout was against future Light Heavyweight world champion Freddie Mills, who beat him on points,[11] and forced him to retire in the re-match with an injured back.

[14] Suffering from insomnia and depression, McAvoy committed suicide by overdosing on barbiturates at his home in Partington, Cheshire, England, on 20 November 1971.