Quick Facts
Biography
Jackie Brown (29 November 1909 in Collyhurst, England – 15 March 1971) was a flyweight boxer, who was British and European flyweight champion, and was also recognised by the National Boxing Association as the World flyweight champion.
Professional career
He had his first professional fight on 18 May 1925, at the age of sixteen, defeating Harry Gainey on points over six rounds.
In October 1929, he won the vacant British flyweight title, knocking out Bert Kirby in three rounds. The BBBofC subsequently recognised Brown as the World Champion, succeeding the later Johnny Hill, and received confirmation from the New York State Athletic Commission that they were willing to allow him to defend the title in the US. In March 1930, he defended the British title against Kirby, and was knocked out in the third round. In February 1931, he met Kirby for the third time, winning back the title with fifteen-round points decision.
In May 1931, he won the European flyweight title, beating Lucian Popescu, of Romania on points. In the next two months he defended this title twice, winning on points against Emile Degand, of Belgium and Vincenzo Savo, of Italy.
In September 1932, he defended both his titles against Jim Maharg, winning on a disqualification in the eighth, for a low blow.
World title
In October 1932, he fought Victor 'Young' Perez, of Tunisia for the World flyweight champion, beating him in thirteen rounds when Perez’ corner threw in the towel. Brown was recognized as world flyweight champion by the National Boxing Association of America.
In June and September 1933, he defended his World and European titles against Valentin Angelmann, of France, winning both defences on points.
In December 1933, he defended his British, European and World titles against Chris ‘Ginger’ Foran of Liverpool, winning on points.
In June 1934, he defended his World and European titles against Valentin Angelmann, for the third time, this time, after his previous two wins drawing on points. A year later Brown was stripped of his European title for not giving Angelmann a return bout.
Loss of World title
In September 1935, he defended his British and World flyweight titles against the talented Scottish fighter, Benny Lynch. He lost his titles when the referee stopped the contest in the second round.
Career as a bantamweight
Following the loss of his titles, Brown continued fighting as a bantamweight. In May 1937 he fought holder Johnny King for the British bantamweight title, losing by a knockout in the thirteenth round.
This was his last challenge for a national or international title, but he continued fighting until July 1939. He then retired, but made a one-fight comeback in February 1948, when he scored a points victory over Billy Stevens over eight rounds.