# Peter Kane

Peter Kane (28 February 1918 – 23 July 1991) was an English flyweight boxer and a world champion in the 1930s. Kane was born in Heywood, Lancashire, on 28 February 1918, but grew up in the town of Golborne, Lancashire, after his family moved there before his first birthday. In Golborne Peter Kane Square is named in his honour.

## Boxing style

He was a two-fisted fighter, renowned for his punching power. Fifty-three of his eighty-eight wins were by knockout.

## Professional career

He made his professional debut in December 1934, at the age of sixteen. He fought and beat Joe Jacobs in Liverpool, where he was to have many of his fights. The fight was stopped in the fifth.
He went on to record a string of forty-one consecutive wins, before challenging Benny Lynch for the World flyweight title, at the age of nineteen. The fight, in October 1937, was staged at Shawfield Park, Glasgow in front of a crowd of over 40,000. Lynch retained his title by knocking Kane out in the thirteenth round.
Kane had a re-match with Lynch in March 1938, and fought a draw over fifteen rounds in Liverpool. Lynch could not make the flyweight limit and had to pay a forfeit. In his next fight, against the American Jackie Jurich, Lynch was again overweight despite winning the fight and forfeited his World flyweight title. The British Boxing Board of Control declared the title vacant.

## World title

Jurich and Kane were regarded as the chief contenders for the vacant world flyweight title, and a fight was arranged between them in September 1938, in Liverpool. Kane won on points after putting Jurich down five times during the fight.
He was now world flyweight champion, but he was finding it increasingly difficult to get down to the flyweight limit. In 1939, Kane announced that he was going to fight as a bantamweight in future, and at the end of that year, the National Boxing Association of America stripped him of his title. He continued to be recognised as world flyweight champion by the International Boxing Union, in Europe.
Kane continued to fight recording a string of victories with only the occasional defeat, but most of his fights were at bantamweight. Although he was the world flyweight champion, the British and Commonwealth titles were held by the Scotsman Jackie Paterson. In June 1943, a fight was arranged at Hampden Park, Glasgow, with all three titles at stake. Kane managed to make the flyweight limit for the fight but was knocked out in the first round. The fight lasted 61 seconds.

## Subsequent career

Kane continued to fight but concentrated on the bantamweight division from now on, again winning most of his fights. In September 1947, he fought the Frenchman Theo Medina for the European bantamweight title, at Belle Vue, Manchester. Kane won on points to become European bantamweight champion.
In December 1947, he defended the title against the Belgian Joe Cornelis, again at Belle Vue, and again won on points. In February 1948, he defended his European title against the Italian Guido Ferracin, again at Belle Vue, and this time lost on points. He had a re-match with Ferracin in July 1948, at Belle Vue again. This time Kane was forced to retire in round five. He had only three more fights, losing on points to Stan Rowan in November 1948 and to Arthur Garrett in January 1950, and knocking out Johnny Conn, who was making his debut, in April 1951.

## Retirement

He worked throughout his career as a blacksmith in the village of Lowton, which neighbours Golborne. Throughout his adult life and boxing career, he lived on Lowton Road, Golborne, the main road between Lowton and Golborne, (except when he lived at 211 Liverpool Road, Pewfall). He died on 23 July 1991, aged 73.

## Professional boxing record

| 100 fights | 89 wins | 8 losses |
| By knockout | 54 | 5 |
| By decision | 34 | 3 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| Draws | 2 | 2 |
| No contests | 1 | 1 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round(s) | Date | Location | Notes |
| 100 | Win | 89–8–2 (1) | Johnny Conn | KO | 3 (10) | Apr 23, 1951 | Barrow In Furness, Cumbria, England, U.K. | |
| 99 | Loss | 88–8–2 (1) | Stan Rowan | PTS | 12 | Nov 19, 1948 | King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England, U.K. | |
| 98 | Loss | 88–7–2 (1) | Guido Ferracin | RTD | 5 (15) | Jul 16, 1948 | King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England, U.K. | For IBU bantamweight title |
| 97 | Draw | 88–6–2 (1) | Amleto Falcinelli | PTS | 10 | May 26, 1948 | Ice Rink, Paisley, Scotland, U.K. | |
| 96 | Win | 88–6–1 (1) | Bunty Doran | TKO | 8 (10) | Apr 16, 1948 | King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England, U.K. | |
| 95 | Loss | 87–6–1 (1) | Guido Ferracin | PTS | 15 | Feb 20, 1948 | King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England, U.K. | Lost IBU bantamweight title |
| 94 | Win | 87–5–1 (1) | Sammy Reynolds | PTS | 10 | Jan 26, 1948 | Ice Rink, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, U.K. | |
| 93 | Win | 86–5–1 (1) | Joseph Cornelis | PTS | 15 | Dec 15, 1947 | King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England, U.K. | Retained IBU bantamweight title |
| 92 | Win | 85–5–1 (1) | Theo Medina | PTS | 15 | Sep 19, 1947 | King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England, U.K. | Won vacant IBU bantamweight title |
| 91 | Win | 84–5–1 (1) | Dado Marino | PTS | 10 | Aug 8, 1947 | King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England, U.K. | |
| 90 | Win | 83–5–1 (1) | Albert Braedt | KO | 3 (10) | Jun 27, 1947 | Tower Theatre, New Brighton, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 89 | Win | 82–5–1 (1) | Theo Medina | TKO | 6 (10) | Jun 9, 1947 | King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England, U.K. | |
| 88 | Win | 81–5–1 (1) | Len Coffin | TKO | 7 (8) | May 19, 1947 | Town Hall, Leeds, Yorkshire, England, U.K. | |
| 87 | Win | 80–5–1 (1) | Joseph Cornelis | PTS | 10 | Apr 28, 1947 | King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England, U.K. | |
| 86 | Win | 79–5–1 (1) | Bunty Doran | PTS | 8 | Feb 10, 1947 | King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England, U.K. | |
| 85 | Win | 78–5–1 (1) | Tommy Madine | KO | 4 (10) | Jan 6, 1947 | Victoria Baths, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, U.K. | |
| 84 | Win | 77–5–1 (1) | Jean Jouas | PTS | 10 | Nov 18, 1946 | Palais des Sports, Paris, Paris, France | |
| 83 | Win | 76–5–1 (1) | Norman Lewis | KO | 5 (8) | Oct 28, 1946 | Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, U.K. | |
| 82 | Win | 75–5–1 (1) | Ron Bissell | TKO | 2 (8) | Sep 4, 1946 | Ninian Park, Cardiff, Wales, U.K. | |
| 81 | Win | 74–5–1 (1) | Jackie Hughes | DQ | 5 (8) | Aug 13, 1946 | Withdean Stadium, Brighton, Sussex, England, U.K. | Hughes DQ'd for holding |
| 80 | Win | 73–5–1 (1) | Jim Brady | PTS | 10 | Nov 3, 1943 | Queensberry Club, Soho, London, England, U.K. | |
| 79 | Win | 72–5–1 (1) | Sammy Reynolds | PTS | 10 | Oct 13, 1943 | Queensberry Club, Soho, London, England, U.K. | |
| 78 | Win | 71–5–1 (1) | Johnny Summers | KO | 1 (10) | Oct 11, 1943 | Colston Hall, Bristol, Avon, England, U.K. | |
| 77 | Loss | 70–5–1 (1) | Jackie Paterson | KO | 1 (15) | Jun 19, 1943 | Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, U.K. | Lost NBA and Lonsdale flyweight titles; For vacant The Ring flyweight titles |
| 76 | Win | 70–4–1 (1) | Gus Foran | PTS | 10 | Mar 26, 1943 | Tower Circus, Blackpool, Lancashire, England, U.K. | |
| 75 | NC | 69–4–1 (1) | Willie Grey | NC | 5 (10) | Feb 23, 1943 | Queensberry Club, Soho, London, England, U.K. | |
| 74 | Win | 69–4–1 | Willie Grey | PTS | 10 | Jan 14, 1943 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 73 | Win | 68–4–1 | Paddy Ryan | TKO | 6 (12) | Oct 29, 1942 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | Retained world flyweight title; Won BBBofC Northern Area flyweight title |
| 72 | Win | 67–4–1 | Frankie Kid Bonsor | TKO | 3 (10) | Oct 1, 1942 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 71 | Win | 66–4–1 | Hugh Cameron | PTS | 10 | Sep 10, 1942 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 70 | Win | 65–4–1 | Joe Curran | KO | 11 (15) | Aug 3, 1942 | Anfield Football Ground, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | Retained world flyweight title |
| 69 | Win | 64–4–1 | Sammy Reynolds | PTS | 8 | Jul 11, 1942 | Wolverhampton Wanderer's F.C. Ground, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England, U.K. | |
| 68 | Win | 63–4–1 | Norman Lewis | PTS | 10 | Jul 8, 1942 | Edmund Rd Drill Hall, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, U.K. | |
| 67 | Win | 62–4–1 | Sammy Reynolds | PTS | 10 | May 31, 1942 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 66 | Win | 61–4–1 | Joe Curran | PTS | 10 | Apr 26, 1942 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 65 | Win | 60–4–1 | Eddie Petrin | KO | 7 (10) | Apr 18, 1942 | Colston Hall, Bristol, Avon, England, U.K. | |
| 64 | Win | 59–4–1 | Willie Grey | TKO | 6 (10) | Mar 30, 1942 | Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, U.K. | |
| 63 | Win | 58–4–1 | Jimmy Stubbs | PTS | 10 | Dec 14, 1941 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 62 | Win | 57–4–1 | Tommy McGlinchey | KO | 2 (10) | Nov 16, 1941 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 61 | Win | 56–4–1 | Jimmy Stubbs | TKO | 7 (10) | Jun 29, 1941 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 60 | Loss | 55–4–1 | Jimmy Lydon | PTS | 10 | Mar 3, 1941 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 59 | Win | 55–3–1 | Teddy O'Neill | PTS | 6 | Feb 20, 1941 | Odeon Theatre, Leicester Square, London, England, U.K. | |
| 58 | Loss | 54–3–1 | Teddy O'Neill | KO | 2 (10) | Oct 3, 1940 | Central Pier, Morecambe, Lancashire, England, U.K. | |
| 57 | Win | 54–2–1 | Battling Jim Hayes | PTS | 10 | Apr 4, 1940 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 56 | Loss | 53–2–1 | Jackie Rankin | TKO | 6 (10) | Feb 12, 1940 | Empress Hall, Earl's Court, London, England, U.K. | |
| 55 | Win | 53–1–1 | Pierre Louis | KO | 3 (10) | Aug 5, 1939 | Stade Louis II, Fontvieille, Monaco | |
| 54 | Win | 52–1–1 | Joseph El Houssine | PTS | 10 | May 22, 1939 | Palais des Sports, Paris, Paris, France | |
| 53 | Win | 51–1–1 | Albert Legrand | KO | 8 (10) | Apr 27, 1939 | Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, U.K. | |
| 52 | Win | 50–1–1 | Baltasar Sangchili | PTS | 10 | Apr 3, 1939 | Earls Court Empress Hall, Kensington, London, England, U.K. | |
| 51 | Win | 49–1–1 | Gino Cattaneo | PTS | 10 | Feb 23, 1939 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 50 | Win | 48–1–1 | Raoul Degryse | PTS | 10 | Jan 31, 1939 | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, U.K. | |
| 49 | Win | 47–1–1 | Jackie Jurich | PTS | 15 | Sep 22, 1938 | Anfield Football Ground, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | Won vacant NBA and The Ring flyweight titles |
| 48 | Win | 46–1–1 | Bernard Leroux | PTS | 12 | Jun 2, 1938 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 47 | Win | 45–1–1 | Georges Bataille | KO | 2 (12) | May 3, 1938 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 46 | Draw | 44–1–1 | Benny Lynch | PTS | 12 | Mar 24, 1938 | Anfield Football Ground, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 45 | Win | 44–1 | Georges Bataille | PTS | 10 | Feb 24, 1938 | Salle Wagram, Paris, Paris, France | |
| 44 | Win | 43–1 | Hubert Offermanns | KO | 10 (12) | Feb 3, 1938 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 43 | Loss | 42–1 | Benny Lynch | KO | 13 (15) | Oct 13, 1937 | Shawfield Park, Glasgow, Scotland, U.K. | For NYSAC, NBA, Lonsdale, and The Ring flyweight titles |
| 42 | Win | 42–0 | Jimmy Warnock | TKO | 4 (15) | Aug 26, 1937 | Anfield Football Ground, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 41 | Win | 41–0 | Nicolas Petit Biquet | RTD | 9 (15) | Jun 28, 1937 | Earls Court Empress Hall, Kensington, London, England, U.K. | |
| 40 | Win | 40–0 | Maurice Huguenin | KO | 1 (12) | Jun 17, 1937 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 39 | Win | 39–0 | Ernst Weiss | PTS | 12 | May 27, 1937 | Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, U.K. | |
| 38 | Win | 38–0 | Phil Milligan | KO | 11 (15) | Apr 29, 1937 | Anfield Football Ground, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | Won vacant BBBofC Northern Area flyweight title |
| 37 | Win | 37–0 | Joseph Decico | KO | 1 (10) | Apr 3, 1937 | Palais des Sports, Paris, Paris, France | |
| 36 | Win | 36–0 | Fortunato Ortega | PTS | 12 | Mar 18, 1937 | Anfield Football Ground, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 35 | Win | 35–0 | Pierre Louis | KO | 7 (10) | Mar 1, 1937 | Palais des Sports, Paris, Paris, France | |
| 34 | Win | 34–0 | Paul Schaefer | KO | 1 (12) | Feb 18, 1937 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 33 | Win | 33–0 | Valentin Angelmann | PTS | 12 | Jan 18, 1937 | Palais des Sports, Paris, Paris, France | |
| 32 | Win | 32–0 | Albert Hopp | KO | 2 (9) | Dec 17, 1936 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 31 | Win | 31–0 | Gaston Van den Bos | TKO | 6 (12) | Dec 14, 1936 | Earls Court Empress Hall, Kensington, London, England, U.K. | |
| 30 | Win | 30–0 | Eugène Huat | TKO | 7 (12) | Nov 23, 1936 | Earls Court Arena, Kensington, London, England, U.K. | |
| 29 | Win | 29–0 | Valentin Angelmann | PTS | 12 | Nov 12, 1936 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 28 | Win | 28–0 | Pat Warburton | KO | 1 (10) | Nov 2, 1936 | NSC, Earls Court Empress Stadium, Kensington, London, England, U.K. | |
| 27 | Win | 27–0 | Pedro Ruiz | KO | 7 (10) | Oct 22, 1936 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 26 | Win | 26–0 | Willie McCamley | PTS | 10 | Sep 16, 1936 | Shawfield Park, Glasgow, Scotland, U.K. | |
| 25 | Win | 25–0 | Ernst Weiss | PTS | 12 | Sep 3, 1936 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 24 | Win | 24–0 | Tommy Stewart | TKO | 10 (10) | Aug 27, 1936 | Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland, U.K. | |
| 23 | Win | 23–0 | Enrico Urbinati | KO | 8 (10) | Aug 13, 1936 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 22 | Win | 22–0 | Jim Maharg | RTD | 3 (10) | Jun 30, 1936 | Cathkin Park, Glasgow, Scotland, U.K. | |
| 21 | Win | 21–0 | Cyclone Kelly | KO | 4 (10) | Jun 21, 1936 | Junction Stadium, Manchester, Lancashire, England, U.K. | |
| 20 | Win | 20–0 | Herbie Hill | KO | 2 (10) | Jun 11, 1936 | The Stadium, Liverpool, England, U.K. | |
| 19 | Win | 19–0 | Jim Laird | RTD | 3 (10) | May 21, 1936 | The Stadium, Liverpool, England, U.K. | |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Praxille Gydé | KO | 3 (10) | May 6, 1936 | Anfield Football Ground, Liverpool, England, U.K. | |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Willie Smith | KO | 4 (8) | Apr 24, 1936 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Tiny Bostock | PTS | 10 | Feb 14, 1936 | Tower Circus, Blackpool, Lancashire, England, U.K. | |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Joe Curran | PTS | 10 | Jan 24, 1936 | Baths Hall, Warrington, Cheshire, England, U.K. | |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Young Ash | TKO | 8 (10) | Dec 20, 1935 | Baths Hall, Warrington, Cheshire, England, U.K. | Date unsure |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Clarrie Gill | RTD | 4 (8) | Dec 5, 1935 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Jackie Forshaw | KO | 1 (8) | Nov 7, 1935 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Billy Charnock | KO | 2 (8) | Oct 10, 1935 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Charlie Reed | KO | 3 (8) | Sep 12, 1935 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Jackie Shea | KO | 2 (8) | Jul 25, 1935 | Anfield Football Ground, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Frankie Kid Bonsor | KO | 4 (8) | Jul 11, 1935 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Billy Charnock | KO | 2 (8) | Jun 27, 1935 | Anfield Football Ground, Liverpool, England, U.K. | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Jackie Burns | KO | 1 (8) | May 30, 1935 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Bobby Doyle | KO | 6 (8) | May 2, 1935 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Nipper Carroll | KO | 3 (6) | Mar 28, 1935 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Charlie Powell | KO | 2 (6) | Mar 14, 1935 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Kid Patterson | KO | 3 (6) | Feb 14, 1935 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Joe Jacobs | TKO | 5 (6) | Dec 13, 1934 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |