[2] After another period of mixed results he hit another winning streak in 1931, including a victory against French champion Maurice Griselle, leading to a fight for the vacant BBBofC heavyweight title against Charley Smith in November, which he won on points despite a cut over his left eye sustained in the second round.
[3][4][5] His next fight was a challenge for the EBU heavyweight title against Hein Müller in January 1932, which he lost by a fourth-round knockout.
[6] He fought Australian champion George Cook in March in an eliminator for a British Empire championship fight, losing on points.
[11] In October 1934 he suffered a broken arm during a crash in which his car overturned, requiring a second operation in December to remove splinters of bone, and it was ten months before he returned to boxing, although he took up all-in wrestling, winning his first contest in March 1935.
[12][13][14] In September 1935 he suffered head injuries and concussion after slipping while walking through Covent Garden, and caused concern when he went missing from his home; He was found by police in Leyton, unable to recall the events of the past two days.