Lew Yates (born June 1947 in Sutton, St Helens) also known as Wild Thing, was a boxer, doorman, bareknuckle and unlicensed fighter and all-round hardman, associated with the fighting and criminal fraternity.

Yates ran doors on clubs like Room at the top (Ilford) and Stringfellows (Covent Garden).

Yates has made acquaintances with several infamous fighters such as Lenny McLean, Cliff Fields, drug dealer Mickey Green, great train robber, Charlie Wilson, among others.

Yates heard a BBC Radio interview with the then governor of the unlicensed fighting world, Roy "prettyboy" Shaw.

For the next 5 years Yates challenged Roy but Shaw's handlers did not agree to this until 1981.