Ted "Kid" Lewis

Ted "Kid" Lewis (born Gershon Mendeloff; 28 October 1893 – 20 October 1970) was an English professional boxer who twice won the World Welterweight Championship (147 lb).[4] Lewis is often ranked among the all-time greats, with ESPN ranking him 41st on their list of the 50 Greatest Boxers of All-Time and boxing historian Bert Sugar placing him 46th in his Top 100 Fighters catalogue.[5][6] Statistical boxing website BoxRec ranks Lewis as the 17th best welterweight of all-time and the 7th best UK boxer ever.[7] He is a member of the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, the Ring Magazine Hall of Fame, and the International Boxing Hall of Fame.[8]

Ted "Kid" Lewis
Statistics
Real nameGershon Mendeloff
Nickname(s)The Aldgate Sphinx
Weight(s)Light Heavyweight
Middleweight
Welterweight
Height5 ft 7.5 in (1.71 m)
Reach69 in (175 cm)
Nationality English
BornVaries depending on source, either 28 October 1893[1] or 24 October 1894[2][3]
Parish of St George in the East, London
Died20 October 1970(1970-10-20) (aged 75)
London
Boxing record
Total fights303
Wins234
Wins by KO80
Losses46
Draws23
No contests0

Boxing career

Career beginnings

Lewis was born as Gershon Mendeloff in a gas-lit tenement in the now demolished Umberston Street, in the Aldgate Pump section of London's East End. His father was a cabinet-maker. One of his elder brothers had become a boxer under the name of Lou Lewis. At the suggestion of a police officer – who had witnessed his performance in a street brawl – he entered the boxing ring in 1909, making his fighting debut as ‘Kid’ Lewis, having joined as a member of the Judaean Club, Whitechapel (the name "Ted" was added later, in America). He subsequently won the Club's Flyweight title and took home a cup of imitation silver.

He became a professional boxer in 1909. On 6 October 1913, Lewis won the British Featherweight Championship with a 17th-round knockout of Alec Lambert at London's National Sporting Club. A year later, on 2 February 1914, at London's Premierland (in Whitechapel), he won the European Featherweight title from the French boxer Paul Til via a 12th round foul. Still in 1914, campaigning as a lightweight and welterweight, Lewis left London and toured Australia. In 1915 Lewis travelled to the United States, fighting Phil Bloom in New York's Madison Square Garden and winning by a decision.

Taking the world welterweight title; rivalry with Jack Britton
Lewis (left), shaking hands with arch-rival Jack Britton

In Boston’s Armory, on 31 August of that same year, he fought the man known as the "Boxing Marvel," Jack Britton, for the Welterweight title. Lewis won in a twelve-round decision, becoming World Welterweight Champion and beginning an historic rivalry. Lewis became the first English boxer to cross the Atlantic and beat an American for a world title.

The fights between Lewis and Britton for the world title were particularly notable. Their relationship has been described as one of the greatest rivalries in boxing history, and it was said that ‘they winced and ducked every time they heard the other man’s name’. From 1915 to 1921 Lewis and Britton fought 20 times, a total of 224 rounds.

On 24 April 1916, in New Orleans, Lewis lost the title to Britton. He reclaimed it on 25 June 1917, at Westwood Field, Dayton, Ohio. He lost the title for the last time on 17 March 1919, in Canton, Ohio, when Britton knocked him out in the 9th round — the only knockout of the series. The roundup of his matches with Britton: Lewis won 3, lost 4, and had 1 draw. There were 12 no decisions. After his last loss to Britton, Lewis returned to England.

Taking the British and European welterweight titles

On 9 June 1920, at London's Olympia Exhibition Centre, he beat Johnny Basham to win the British and European Welterweight titles. He relinquished these in December of that year due to difficulty in making the weight. His drive to fight Georges Carpentier, World and European Light Heavyweight Champion, came to fruition on 11 May 1922, in the Olympia. Lewis, fighting at 150 pounds to Carpentier's 175, spent most of the first round giving the heavier man a drubbing. Then referee Joe Palmer put a hand on Lewis's shoulder to warn him against holding. Carpentier took advantage of this distraction and sneaked in a vicious right. The Kid went crashing to the canvas and was counted out. The Olympia crowd erupted furiously, crying, "foul," but to no avail. The Kid remained nonplussed. "I felt cheated, but I didn’t bear any grudge," he would later say.

Taking the British and European middleweight titles

On 6 June 1922, at Holland Park Rink, London, Lewis knocked out Frankie Burns to win the British Middleweight title. On 11 November the same year, also at Holland Park Rink, he beat Roland Todd to win the European Middleweight title. He did not hold either title long, losing both at the Royal Albert Hall on 15 February 1923 after a gruelling rematch with Todd.

Lewis won his last two titles, the British and European Welterweight crowns, on 3 July 1924 — again at London's Royal Albert Hall — by defeating Johnny Brown. Two years later, on 26 November 1924, at Waverley Market Hall in Edinburgh, he lost these championships to the much younger Scotsman, Tommy Milligan. He continued boxing until 1929, adding 20 more fights.

His final record counting newspaper decisions was: 299 bouts, 233 won, 41 lost, 25 draws, 65 no decisions, 80 knockouts. Lewis started his career as an evasive, defensive boxer with a long left. During the six years he spent in America he changed his style radically, becoming a very aggressive, swarming, combination boxer-fighter.

Professional boxing record
Professional record summary
238 fights 192 wins 32 losses
By knockout 78 6
By decision 111 20
By disqualification 3 6
Draws 14
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
238 Loss 192–32–14 Charley Belanger DQ 1 (15) Dec 17, 1928 Coliseum, Toronto For Commonwealth light heavyweight title
237 Loss 192–31–14 Maxie Rosenbloom DQ 6 (15) Jul 31, 1928 Queensboro Stadium, Long Island City, Queens
236 Draw 192–30–14 Johnny Squires KO 1 (10) Jan 07, 1928 Town Hall, Johannesburg
235 Win 192–30–13 Alec Storbeck KO 1 (10) Dec 03, 1927 Town Hall, Johannesburg
234 Win 191–30–13 Joe Rolfe RTD 11 (15) Nov 15, 1927 Premierland, Whitechapel
233 Win 190–30–13 Robert Amssens TKO 1 (15) Oct 02, 1927 Premierland, Whitechapel
232 Win 189–30–13 Ted Coveney TKO 6 (15) Sep 11, 1927 Premierland, Whitechapel
231 Win 188–30–13 Nol Steenhorst RTD 9 (15) Aug 28, 1927 Premierland, Whitechapel
230 Win 187–30–13 Jim Carr KO 3 (15) Aug 14, 1927 Premierland, Whitechapel
229 Win 186–30–13 Joe Green RTD 4 (15) Aug 04, 1927 Skating Rink, Ilford
228 Win 185–30–13 Billy Mattick DQ 5 (20) Mar 21, 1926 Premierland, Whitechapel
227 Win 184–30–13 Billy Pritchard TKO 10 (15) Mar 07, 1926 Premierland, Whitechapel
226 Loss 183–30–13 Len Johnson RTD 10 (20) Nov 27, 1925 King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester
225 Loss 183–29–13 Simon Rosman DQ 8 (15) Nov 08, 1925 Premierland, Whitechapel
224 Loss 183–28–13 Marcel Thuru DQ 1 (15) Oct 08, 1925 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington
223 Win 183–27–13 Bob Sage PTS 10 Jul 10, 1925 Legion Stadium, Hollywood
222 Loss 182–27–13 Tommy Mulligan DQ 5 (20) Mar 19, 1925 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington
221 Win 182–26–13 Francois Charles PTS 20 Jan 22, 1925 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington
220 Loss 181–26–13 Tommy Mulligan PTS 20 Nov 26, 1924 Industrial Hall, Edinburgh Lost EBU, BBBofC British, and Commonwealth welterweight titles
219 Win 181–25–13 Johnny Brown PTS 20 Jul 03, 1924 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Won EBU, BBBofC British, and Commonwealth welterweight titles
218 Draw 180–25–13 Piet Hobin PTS 20 Jun 01, 1924 Stade Buffalo, Montrouge
217 Win 180–25–12 Erich Milenz KO 8 (10) Apr 12, 1924 Sportpalast, Schoeneberg
216 Draw 179–25–12 Chich Nelson PTS 15 Apr 06, 1924 Zirkus Busch
215 Win 179–25–11 Francois Charles PTS 15 Mar 18, 1924 Cirque de Paris, Paris
214 Win 178–25–11 Bruno Frattini KO 17 (20) Feb 12, 1924 Palazzo dello Sport (Pad. 3 Fiera), Milan
213 Win 177–25–11 Sergeant Sid Pape RTD 2 (20) Jan 28, 1924 Windsor Hall, Bradford
212 Win 176–25–11 Fred Davies PTS 20 Dec 26, 1923 Premierland, Whitechapel
211 Win 175–25–11 Fred Archer PTS 20 Nov 08, 1923 Premierland, Whitechapel
210 Win 174–25–11 Frank Burns PTS 20 Oct 04, 1923 Premierland, Whitechapel
209 Loss 173–25–11 Augie Ratner PTS 20 Jul 30, 1923 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington
208 Loss 173–24–11 Roland Todd PTS 20 Feb 15, 1923 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Lost EBU, BBBofC British, and Commonwealth middleweight titles
207 Win 173–23–11 Roland Todd PTS 20 Nov 20, 1922 Holland Park Rink, Kensington Won EBU, BBBofC British, and Commonwealth middleweight titles
206 Win 172–23–11 Marcel Thomas TKO 4 (15) Sep 04, 1922 Premierland, Whitechapel
205 Win 171–23–11 Frank Burns KO 11 (20) Jun 19, 1922 Holland Park Rink, Kensington
204 Loss 170–23–11 Georges Carpentier KO 1 (20) May 05, 1922 The Dome, Brighton For EBU and lineal light heavyweight titles
203 Win 170–22–11 Tom Gummer KO 1 (20) Feb 17, 1922 The Dome, Brighton
202 Win 169–22–11 Boy McCormick TKO 14 (20) Nov 17, 1921 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Won BBBofC british light heavyweight title
201 Win 168–22–11 Johnny Basham RTD 12 (20) Oct 14, 1921 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Retained EBU and BBBofC British welterweight titles
200 Win 167–22–11 Ernie Barrieau KO 10 (10) Sep 20, 1921 Arena, Toronto
199 Win 166–22–11 Jack Bloomfield PTS 20 Jun 27, 1921 Holland Park Rink, Kensington Won vacant BBBofC middleweight title
198 Loss 165–22–11 Augie Ratner PTS 15 Apr 13, 1921 Manhattan Casino, New York
197 Loss 165–21–11 Nate Siegel PTS 10 Apr 08, 1921 Arena, Boston
196 Loss 165–20–11 Jack Britton UD 15 Feb 07, 1921 Madison Square Garden, New York For lineal welterweight title
195 Win 165–19–11 Johnny Basham KO 19 (20) Nov 19, 1920 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Retained EBU, BBBofC British, and Commonwealth welterweight titles
194 Win 164–19–11 Johnny Basham RTD 9 (20) Jun 09, 1920 Olympia, Kensington Won EBU, BBBofC British, and Commonwealth welterweight titles
193 Win 163–19–11 Kid Doyle RTD 5 (20) Apr 30, 1920 Holborn Stadium, Holborn
192 Win 162–19–11 Kid Doyle RTD 11 (20) Apr 05, 1920 Liverpool Stadium, Pudsey Street, Liverpool
191 Win 161–19–11 Johnny Bee KO 4 (20) Mar 11, 1920 Holborn Stadium, Holborn Won vacant BBBofC British middleweight title
190 Win 160–19–11 Gus Platts RTD 18 (20) Mar 04, 1920 Edmund Rd Drill Hall, Sheffield
189 Win 159–19–11 Jerry Shea KO 1 (20) Feb 28, 1920 Pavilion, Mountain Ash
188 Win 158–19–11 Maurice Prunier KO 6 (20) Feb 14, 1920 Cirque de Paris, Paris
187 Win 157–19–11 Frank Moody KO 1 (15) Jan 13, 1920 Free Trade Hall, Manchester
186 Win 156–19–11 Matt Wells RTD 12 (20) Dec 26, 1919 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington
185 Win 155–19–11 Jake Abel PTS 10 Oct 28, 1919 Armory Auditorium, Atlanta
184 Win 154–19–11 Jimmy McCabe KO 1 (10) Oct 16, 1919 Atlantic City S.C., Atlantic City
183 Win 153–19–11 KO Willie Loughlin KO 1 (10) Oct 11, 1919 Arena, Boston
182 Loss 152–19–11 Jack Britton KO 9 (12) Mar 17, 1919 Arena, Boston Lost lineal welterweight title
181 Win 152–18–11 Tommy Robson PTS 12 Aug 13, 1918 Arena, Boston
180 Win 151–18–11 Tommy Robson PTS 12 Jun 25, 1918 Arena, Boston
179 Win 150–18–11 Johnny Tillman UD 20 May 17, 1918 Stockyards Stadium, Denver Retained lineal welterweight title
178 Win 149–18–11 Lockport Jimmy Duffy TKO 1 (15) Feb 18, 1917 Dreamland Rink, San Francisco
177 Win 148–18–11 Johnny McCarthy PTS 4 Nov 13, 1917 Dreamland Rink, San Francisco
176 Draw 147–18–11 Battling Ortega PTS 4 Oct 24, 1917 Arena, Emeryville
175 Win 147–18–10 Albert Badoud KO 1 (12) Aug 31, 1917 St. Nicholas Arena, New York
174 Loss 146–18–10 Mike O'Dowd PTS 12 Aug 28, 1917 Arena, Boston
173 Win 146–17–10 Jack Britton PTS 20 Jun 25, 1917 Westwood Field, Dayton Won lineal welterweight title
172 Win 145–17–10 Joe Eagan PTS 12 May 22, 1917 Arena (Armory A.A.), Boston
171 Win 144–17–10 Joe Eagan PTS 12 May 22, 1917 Arena (Armory A.A.), Boston
170 Win 143–17–10 Jimmy O'Hagen KO 2 (10) May 04, 1917 Harlem S.C., New York
169 Win 142–17–10 Billy Weeks KO 12 (12) Apr 12, 1917 Gymnastic Club, Dayton
168 Win 141–17–10 Jimmy Coffey KO 1 (12) Apr 04, 1917 Hunts Point Palace, Bronx
167 Win 140–17–10 Willie Moore KO 1 (10) Mar 19, 1917 Hunts Point Palace, Bronx
166 Win 139–17–10 Kid Graves KO 9 (10) Feb 06, 1917 Broadway S.C., Brooklyn
165 Win 138–17–10 Sam Robideau PTS 15 Jan 31, 1917 Marieville Gardens, North Providence
164 Draw 137–17–10 Jack Britton PTS 12 Nov 14, 1916 Arena, Boston For lineal welterweight title
163 Loss 137–17–9 Jack Britton PTS 12 Oct 17, 1916 Arena, Boston For lineal welterweight title
162 Win 137–16–9 Mike Glover PTS 12 Jun 13, 1916 Arena (Armory A.A.), Boston
161 Win 136–16–9 Eddie Moha KO 5 (15) May 24, 1916 Gymnastic Club, Dayton
160 Loss 135–16–9 Jack Britton PTS 20 Apr 24, 1916 Louisiana Auditorium, New Orleans Lost lineal welterweight title
159 Win 135–15–9 Jack Abel PTS 8 Apr 19, 1916 Tommy Burns Arena, New Orleans
158 Win 134–15–9 Harry Stone PTS 20 Mar 01, 1916 Tommy Burns Arena, New Orleans Retained lineal welterweight title
157 Win 133–15–9 Harry Trendall KO 7 (8) Feb 24, 1916 Coliseum, Saint Louis
156 Win 132–15–9 Young Neil PTS 15 Dec 03, 1915 Gymnastic Club, Dayton
155 Loss 131–15–9 Mike Glover PTS 12 Nov 30, 1915 Arena (Atlas A.A.), Boston
154 Win 131–14–9 Lockport Jimmy Duffy KO 1 (12) Nov 23, 1915 Arena, Boston Retained lineal welterweight title
153 Win 130–14–9 Milburn Saylor PTS 12 Nov 02, 1915 Arena (Atlas A.A.), Boston
152 Win 129–14–9 Joe Mandot PTS 12 Oct 26, 1915 Arena, Boston Retained lineal welterweight title
151 Win 128–14–9 Jack Britton PTS 12 Sep 28, 1915 Arena (Atlas A.A.), Boston Retained lineal welterweight title
150 Win 127–14–9 Jack Britton PTS 12 Aug 31, 1915 Arena, Boston Won lineal welterweight title
149 Win 126–14–9 Mike Glover PTS 12 Aug 03, 1915 Arena (Atlas A.A.), Boston
148 Win 125–14–9 Johnny Lustig PTS 10 Mar 30, 1915 Sohmer Park, Montreal
147 Win 124–14–9 Frankie Mack PTS 20 Mar 10, 1915 Estadio Tropical, Havana
146 Win 123–14–9 Bobby Moore PTS 20 Aug 01, 1914 Baker's Pavilion, Melbourne
145 Loss 122–14–9 Herb McCoy PTS 20 Jul 11, 1914 Baker's Pavilion, Melbourne
144 Win 122–13–9 Joe Shugrue PTS 20 Jun 27, 1914 Sydney Stadium, Sydney
143 Win 121–13–9 Hughie Mehegan PTS 20 Jun 13, 1914 Sydney Stadium, Sydney
142 Win 120–13–9 Herb McCoy PTS 20 May 30, 1914 Sydney Stadium, Sydney
141 Win 119–13–9 Ted Saunders KO 6 (10) Mar 18, 1914 Drill Hall, Coventry
140 Win 118–13–9 Harry Kid Berry KO 3 (15) Mar 14, 1914 Premierland, Whitechapel
139 Win 117–13–9 Paul Til DQ 12 (20) Feb 02, 1914 Premierland, Whitechapel Retained EBU featherweight title
138 Win 116–13–9 George Buswell TKO 2 (20) Jan 05, 1914 The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark
137 Win 115–13–9 Alec Lambert TKO 17 (20) Oct 06, 1913 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden Won vacant EBU and National Sporting Club featherweight titles
136 Win 114–13–9 Fernand Quendreux KO 10 (15) Sep 15, 1913 The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark
135 Win 113–13–9 Harry Sterling PTS 15 Aug 23, 1913 The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark
134 Win 112–13–9 Duke Lynch PTS 15 Jul 26, 1913 The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark
133 Win 111–13–9 Harry Sterling RTD 7 (15) Jul 19, 1913 The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark
132 Win 110–13–9 Joe Starmer PTS 15 Jun 02, 1913 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden
131 Win 109–13–9 Young Joe Brooks PTS 15 Apr 07, 1913 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden
130 Win 108–13–9 Johnny Condon PTS 20 Mar 03, 1913 The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark
129 Win 107–13–9 Johnny Condon PTS 20 Jan 27, 1913 The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark
128 Draw 106–13–9 Nat Williams PTS 15 Jan 16, 1913 Liverpool Stadium, Pudsey Street, Liverpool
127 Win 106–13–8 George Buswell TKO 14 (15) Jan 02, 1913 The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark
126 Win 105–13–8 Jim Lloyd PTS 10 Jan 02, 1913 Liverpool Stadium, Pudsey Street, Liverpool
125 Win 104–13–8 Harry Kid Berry PTS 15 Dec 21, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
124 Win 103–13–8 Jim Shires PTS 10 Dec 16, 1912 The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark
123 Win 102–13–8 Private Jack Harrison KO 3 (6) Dec 02, 1912 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden
122 Win 101–13–8 George Ruddick PTS 12 Nov 30, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
121 Win 100–13–8 Alf Small KO 5 (10) Nov 16, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
120 Win 99–13–8 Fred Young Halsband PTS 10 Nov 09, 1912 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden
119 Win 98–13–8 Jim Campbell PTS 6 Oct 21, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
118 Win 97–13–8 Young Jack Chinney KO 3 (10) Oct 19, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
117 Win 96–13–8 Jim Lloyd PTS 10 Oct 12, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
116 Loss 95–13–8 Con Houghton DQ 5 (15) Oct 05, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
115 Win 95–12–8 Tom Allen PTS 10 Sep 28, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
114 Win 94–12–8 Fred Blake PTS 6 Sep 21, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
113 Win 93–12–8 Sam Russell PTS 10 Sep 14, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
112 Win 92–12–8 Tom Clifford PTS 6 Sep 07, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
111 Loss 91–12–8 Fred Young Halsband PTS 10 Aug 31, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
110 Loss 91–11–8 Young Joe Brooks PTS 15 Aug 10, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
109 Win 91–10–8 Jack O'Neil KO 3 (10) Jul 27, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
108 Win 90–10–8 Harry Wilson PTS 10 Jul 17, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
107 Win 89–10–8 Seaman Arthur Hayes PTS 10 Jul 06, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
106 Win 88–10–8 George Ruddick PTS 10 Jun 22, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
105 Win 87–10–8 Darkey Haley PTS 10 Jun 10, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
104 Win 86–10–8 Young Jack Chinney PTS 6 Jun 08, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
103 Win 85–10–8 Leon Victor Truffier PTS 10 May 25, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
102 Win 84–10–8 Jim Shires TKO 2 (10) May 18, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
101 Win 83–10–8 Gus Venn PTS 10 Apr 27, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
100 Win 82–10–8 Gus Venn TKO 7 (10) Apr 06, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
99 Win 81–10–8 Leon Victor Truffier PTS 10 Apr 03, 1912 Cirque de Paris, Paris
98 Loss 80–10–8 Duke Lynch KO 1 (15) Apr 01, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
97 Win 80–9–8 Jim Shires KO 2 (10) Mar 18, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
96 Win 79–9–8 Allan Porter PTS 10 Mar 16, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
95 Win 78–9–8 George Buswell PTS 10 Mar 02, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
94 Win 77–9–8 Alf Mitchell PTS 6 Feb 24, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
93 Win 76–9–8 Tommy Mack PTS 6 Feb 17, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
92 Win 75–9–8 Duke Lynch PTS 10 Feb 10, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
91 Win 74–9–8 Harry Wilson PTS 10 Jan 20, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
90 Win 73–9–8 Billy Taylor PTS 8 Jan 13, 1912
89 Win 72–9–8 Jewey Murray TKO 1 (10) Jan 06, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel
88 Win 71–9–8 Eddie Fay PTS 6 Dec 31, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
87 Win 70–9–8 Eddie Fay PTS 6 Dec 25, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
86 Win 69–9–8 Jim Shires PTS 10 Dec 16, 1911 The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark
85 Win 68–9–8 Billy Taylor PTS 8 Dec 09, 1911 Premierland, Whitechapel
84 Win 67–9–8 Jim Butler TKO 2 (6) Dec 04, 1911 The Ring, Blackfriars Road Matinee, Southwark
83 Win 66–9–8 Frank Warner PTS 6 Dec 02, 1911 Hippodrome, Poplar
82 Win 65–9–8 Billy Griggs KO 1 (6) Nov 27, 1911 The Ring, Blackfriars Road Matinee, Southwark
81 Win 64–9–8 Kid Olds PTS 6 Nov 18, 1911 Hippodrome, Poplar
80 Win 63–9–8 Alf Small KO 2 (10) Nov 12, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
79 Win 62–9–8 Jim Hales PTS 6 Nov 09, 1911 Pitfield Street Baths, Hoxton
78 Win 61–9–8 Dick Murray PTS 10 Nov 02, 1911 The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark
77 Win 60–9–8 Tom Perkins PTS 10 Oct 28, 1911 Hippodrome, Poplar
76 Win 59–9–8 Jack Bunner PTS 10 Oct 23, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
75 Win 58–9–8 Alf Small PTS 6 Oct 21, 1911 The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark
74 Win 57–9–8 Tom Perkins PTS 6 Oct 18, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
73 Win 56–9–8 Harry Ray PTS 6 Oct 09, 1911 The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark
72 Win 55–9–8 Harry Ray PTS 6 Oct 08, 1911 The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark
71 Win 54–9–8 Lew Cohen KO 3 (6) Oct 05, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
70 Win 53–9–8 Tom Perkins PTS 6 Sep 30, 1911 Hippodrome, Poplar
69 Win 52–9–8 Ted O'Neill TKO 5 (6) Sep 20, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
68 Win 51–9–8 Billy Smith TKO 4 (6) Sep 17, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
67 Draw 50–9–8 Tom Perkins PTS 6 Sep 10, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
66 Draw 50–9–7 Fred Young Halsband PTS 6 Sep 03, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
65 Win 50–9–6 Walter Bill Marshall TKO 3 (6) Aug 28, 1911 The Ring, Blackfriars Road Matinee, Southwark
64 Win 49–9–6 Jack Harbour DQ 3 (6) Aug 27, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
63 Win 48–9–6 Tom Perkins PTS 10 Aug 16, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
62 Win 47–9–6 Curley Hume PTS 6 Aug 13, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
61 Win 46–9–6 George Marks PTS 6 Jul 23, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
60 Win 45–9–6 Dick Murray PTS 6 Jun 18, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
59 Win 44–9–6 Alf Small KO 12 (12) Jun 11, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
58 Win 43–9–6 Dick Murray PTS 6 Jun 07, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
57 Win 42–9–6 Young Klein KO 3 (6) Jun 04, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
56 Win 41–9–6 Sid Venner PTS 6 Jun 01, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
55 Win 40–9–6 Jack English TKO 3 (6) May 24, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
54 Draw 39–9–6 Jack Kid Greenstock PTS 6 May 21, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
53 Win 39–9–5 Alf Small PTS 10 May 14, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
52 Win 38–9–5 Joe Madden PTS 12 May 05, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
51 Loss 37–9–5 Nat Young Brooks PTS 15 Apr 30, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
50 Win 37–8–5 Young Jack Chinney PTS 6 Apr 27, 1911 The Chelsea Club, Fulham
49 Win 36–8–5 Young Hyams PTS 6 Apr 24, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
48 Win 35–8–5 Private Jack Marks TKO 7 (10) Apr 23, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
47 Loss 34–8–5 Jack Fisher PTS 6 Apr 23, 1911 Poplar
46 Win 34–7–5 Private Jack Marks TKO 7 (10) Apr 23, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
45 Win 33–7–5 Nat Young Brooks PTS 6 Apr 09, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
44 Win 32–7–5 Jack Guyon TKO 3 (3) Apr 05, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
43 Win 31–7–5 Young Joe Ross PTS 3 Apr 05, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
42 Win 30–7–5 Charlie Young Smith KO 4 (6) Mar 29, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
41 Win 29–7–5 Jim Butler KO 1 (6) Mar 05, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
40 Win 28–7–5 Kid Levene PTS 6 Feb 20, 1911 The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark
39 Draw 27–7–5 Joe Madden PTS 6 Feb 19, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
38 Loss 27–7–4 Young Sullivan PTS 6 Feb 12, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
37 Win 27–6–4 Billy Smith KO 4 (6) Feb 09, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
36 Win 26–6–4 Alf Small TKO 2 (6) Feb 05, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
35 Win 25–6–4 Young Klein KO 3 (6) Feb 01, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
34 Win 24–6–4 Joe Jacobs PTS 6 Jan 29, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
33 Win 23–6–4 Joe Madden PTS 6 Jan 25, 1911 Olympia Annexe, Kensington
32 Win 22–6–4 Alf Jacobs PTS 6 Jan 22, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
31 Win 21–6–4 Private Jack Marks PTS 6 Jan 15, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
30 Win 20–6–4 Bill Marsh PTS 6 Jan 08, 1911 Judaens AC, St George's
29 Loss 19–6–4 Hugh Doyle KO 3 (15) Nov 21, 1910 International Hall, Liverpool
28 Win 19–5–4 Boyo Lambert PTS 6 Nov 13, 1910 Judaens AC, St George's
27 Win 18–5–4 Curley Bume PTS 6 Oct 09, 1910 Judaens AC, St George's
26 Win 17–5–4 Sid Venner PTS 6 Aug 16, 1910 Judaens AC, St George's
25 Win 16–5–4 Young Smith TKO 3 (6) Aug 14, 1910 Judaens AC, St George's
24 Win 15–5–4 Ted O'Neil KO 5 (6) Aug 08, 1910 Judaens AC, St George's
23 Draw 14–5–4 Joe Madden PTS 6 Jul 31, 1910 Judaens AC, St George's
22 Draw 14–5–3 Jack Kid Greenstock PTS 6 Jul 25, 1910 Judaens AC, St George's
21 Win 14–5–2 Alf Jacobs PTS 6 Jul 24, 1910 Judaens AC, St George's
20 Draw 13–5–2 Jack Kid Greenstock PTS 6 Jul 17, 1910 Judaens AC, St George's
19 Win 13–5–1 Joe Madden RTD 3 (6) Jun 05, 1910 Judaens AC, St George's
18 Win 12–5–1 Young Sullivan PTS 6 May 29, 1910 Judaens AC, St George's
17 Win 11–5–1 Young Jack Morris PTS 6 May 22, 1910 Judaens AC, St George's
16 Win 10–5–1 Kid Levene PTS 6 May 15, 1910 Judaens AC, St George's
15 Win 9–5–1 Private Jack Marks PTS 6 Feb 28, 1910 Judaens AC, St George's
14 Win 8–5–1 Piper Holmes PTS 6 Feb 27, 1910 Judaens AC, St George's
13 Win 7–5–1 George Powell RTD 1 (6) Feb 13, 1910 Judaens AC, St George's
12 Loss 6–5–1 Boyo Lambert PTS 6 Feb 05, 1910 Winter Gardens, Peckham
11 Loss 6–4–1 Jim Brown PTS 6 Jan 29, 1910 Hippodrome, Peckham
10 Win 6–3–1 Alf Jacobs PTS 6 Jan 16, 1910 Judaens AC, St George's
9 Win 5–3–1 Bill Marsh PTS 6 Jan 08, 1910 Hippodrome, Peckham
8 Win 4–3–1 Kid Levene TKO 3 (6) Dec 19, 1909 Judaens AC, St George's
7 Draw 3–3–1 Dick Hart PTS 6 Dec 05, 1909 Judaens AC, St George's
6 Win 3–3 Private Jack Marks PTS 6 Nov 27, 1909 Surrey Music Hall, Southwark
5 Loss 2–3 George Thomas TKO 1 (3) Oct 30, 1909 Judaeans AC, St George's
4 Win 2–2 Alf Cohen PTS 6 Oct 09, 1909 Judaeans AC, St George's
3 Win 1–2 Young Lipton PTS 6 Sep 19, 1909 Judaeans AC, St George's
2 Loss 0–2 Johnny Sharp PTS 6 Sep 12, 1909 Judaeans AC, St George's
1 Loss 0–1 Kid Da Costa PTS 6 Aug 29, 1909 Judaeans AC, St George's

Life after boxing

In 1929 Lewis fought the last of nearly 300 career bouts in Hoxton, London, winning by a knockout. Over the course of his career, he had lost only 41 times. He then announced his retirement from boxing and settled back in his native east London.

His success in America had also made Lewis very famous at home in the UK and he had become an international celebrity. He met his future wife Elsie Schneider in New York, and became a close friend of Charlie Chaplin, who would act as godfather to Lewis' son Morton. Lewis tried his hand in the movies, predominantly tackling boxing pictures. Inevitably, he was typecast: not only was Lewis best known as a fighter, he also looked like one, with many years of punishment having left their mark on his face.

Much to the dismay of friends and family, he later acted as a bodyguard for Oswald Mosley's New Party and was also persuaded to stand in the 1931 general election as a candidate for the party in his local Whitechapel and St Georges constituency; he polled only 154 votes. However, Lewis fell out with Mosley when his subsequent political movement, the British Union of Fascists revealed itself as openly anti-Semitic.[9] After the defeat of 1931, Mosley embraced European-style fascism and founded the British Union of Fascists in 1932. Among other things, this saw him move towards more open anti-Semitism, particularly in Lewis' native East London. In his biography of his father, Morton Lewis describes how he was taken along by his father when he went to quit Mosley's movement. It involves Lewis violently arguing with Mosley and a pair of his henchmen at their headquarters, leaving the former reeling on the ground and the other two out cold. Then, after leaving, Lewis is described as returning to the building on a whim and knocking out two more of Mosley's guards without provocation.

Restless in his career choices, he worked as a boxing trainer and manager, a gambling bookmaker, a haberdasher, a purveyor of wines and spirits, a boxing referee, a security officer, a travel agent and he also made numerous personal appearances, trading on his celebrity. He stayed married to his wife Elsie for forty-five years until her death.[10]

During the early 1960s, Lewis was befriended by the notorious Kray twins; the boxing-infatuated gangland bosses enjoyed bringing the famous old champion to their parties and charity evenings, and they even used him as a decoy when arranging the escape of a fellow criminal from Dartmoor prison.

In his final years, after his wife died, he was afflicted with failing eyesight and Parkinson's disease. From 1966 he lived comfortably in a south London retirement home for the Jewish elderly, Nightingale House in Clapham. He died there in October 1970.[10] In 2003, an English Heritage blue plaque was erected at Nightingale House in his honour, which was unveiled by his son, Morton.

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See also

References
  1. "Ted Kid Lewis". Boxrec.com. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  2. Ted "Kid" Lewis (Gershon Mendeloff) Archived 7 January 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  3. "Ted "Kid" Lewis". IBHOF. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  4. "The Lineal Welterweight Champs". Cyber Boxing Zone.
  5. "50 Greatest Boxers of All-Time". ESPN. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  6. Bert Randolph Sugar (2005). Boxing's Greatest Fighters. Lyons Press. ISBN 978-1-59228-632-4.
  7. "All-time World Welterweights". from BoxRec.com. Archived from the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  8. "Ted "Kid" Lewis Boxing Record". Cyber Boxing Zone. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  9. Charlie Pottins (Spring 2007). "BOOK REVIEW The Man Who Might Have Been". Jewish Socialist.
  10. Blady, Ken, The Jewish Boxer's Hall of Fame, (1988), Shapolsky Publishing, New York, New York, pps.264-74

Further reading
  • Bert Randolph Sugar, The 100 Greatest Boxers of all Time, 1984, A Rutledge Book published by Bonanza, Crown Publishers, pp. 88–89.
  • Nat Fleischer and Sam Andre, updated by Dan Rafael, An Illustrated History of Boxing, 2001 Edition, Citadel Press, pp. 262, 264, 265.
  • Morton Lewis, Ted "Kid" Lewis, His Life and Times, 1990, Robson Books, LTD, Great Britain.
Achievements
Preceded by
Jack Britton		 World Welterweight Champion
31 August 1915 – 24 April 1916		 Succeeded by
Jack Britton
World Welterweight Champion
25 June 1917 – 17 March 1919
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