On This Day: Benny Lynch overcomes the spirited challenge of Peter Kane in 13 rounds

Benny Lynch

BENNY LYNCH w ko 13 PETER KANE
October 13, 1937; Shawfield Park, Glasgow
IN a bout for the world and British flyweight titles, Benny Lynch caught up with Peter Kane in the 13th round to wow the 45,000 fans in attendance. Kane was 42-0 (according to BoxRec) heading into the bout while Lynch, only 24, was already starting to slip from his impressive but brief peak. It would ultimately be a grim descent into alcoholism and an early death. But enough of the legendary boxer remained to defeat Kane. Down in the opening round, Kane battled back before Lynch ended matters in the 13th of a top notch scrap. The pair would have a rematch the next year and, in a nod to his out-of-the-ring problems, Lynch would fail to make weight before battling to a draw over 12 rounds.

DID YOU KNOW? Today, Shawfield Park is used only as a greyhound track. The last time any boxing took place at the venue was in September 1991, when Donnie Hood outpointed Rocky Commey over 12 rounds to retain his WBC International bantamweight title.

WATCH OUT FOR: The delightful commentary offers those not around in the 1930s a sense of what pre-WWII Britain was like at the time.

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