Quick Facts
Biography
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.
Early life
Lew was born June 1947 in Sutton, St Helens. At 6 years old Lew became fascinated with boxing when his uncle, Bob, took him to the gym that he owned. Lew soon became a very good amateur boxer under the training of George Gilbody Snr. and Herbie Golding. Lew once fought British boxer, Billy Aird, who was the European heavyweight champion but Lew was disqualified for head-butting Billy. In response, he threw the referee across the ring, earning a ban from boxing.
Life
Lew has had a long career as one of the south of England's best and most feared doormen. He had a reputation of never backing down. Lew ran doors on clubs like Room at the top (Ilford), Stringfellows, (Covent Garden. Lew has made acquaintances with several infamous fighters such as Lenny McLean, Cliff Fields, drug dealer Mickey Green, great train robber, Charlie Wilson, among others.
Wild Thing vs Prettboy
Lew heard a BBC radio interview with the then governor of the unlicensed fighting world, Roy "prettyboy" Shaw. Shaw challenged anyone in England to fight him. Lew intended to take the title from Shaw and, thus, moved to London. For the next 5 years Lew challenged Roy but Shaw's handlers did not agree to this until 1981. Lew had to raise a stake of £10,000 for the fight. He only got a few weeks to train. On the night of the fight Lew overpowered Shaw in the 2nd round. The round was ended with 1 min 12seconds of the round left. By the end of the 3rd round Shaw appeared. The referee declared the fight in Shaw's favour, claiming that Lew's eye was too badly cut so the fight had to be terminated. Lew's fans suggest that the referee statement was inaccurate as Lew's eye was not even bleeding. They claim that, on the night of the fight, there were at least three cameramen filming the contest yet not one copy of the fight has been found to date. Shaw usually filmed his fights.
Later life
In 2007 Lew released his book Wild Thing: The True Story of Britain's Rightful Guv'nor, written by Lew Yates and bestselling author, Bernard O'Mahoney. It was published by Mainstream Publishing.
Lew now lives in Cambridgeshire where he is a boxing and personal trainer.