Eric Boon (28 December 1919 – 19 January 1981) was a champion British
lightweight boxer. Born in
Chatteris,
Cambridgeshire, he was known by the nicknames Boy Boon and the Fen Tiger.
Of a total of 119 fights, he won 92 (
KO 62), lost 21 (KO 13) and drew 5.
[
He beat Dave Crowley on 15 December 1938 to become British Lightweight Champion, a title he held for three years until 12 August 1944. His match against Arthur Danahar from the Harringay Arena was the first televised boxing match, broadcast on BBC television and shown live in several cinemas on 23 February 1939.
''Boon v Danaher'' was the first occasion that the BBC had been permitted to televise a boxing match but also the first time a transmission had been shown live to a paying audience in cinemas (the Marble Arch Pavilion and the Tatler News Theatre). This was achieved on ]Baird
Baird may refer to:
Places United States
* Baird, Mississippi, an unincorporated community
* Baird, Missouri, an unincorporated community
* Baird, Texas, a city
* Baird, Washington, a community
* Baird Mountains, Alaska
* Baird Inlet, Alaska
...
projection equipment using a 16-inch projection tube running at 45,000 volts, producing light levels comparable to that of normal films. Each projection unit contained two projection tubes, one acting as a backup in case the first one failed. This preceded the first televised heavyweight boxing match (Max Baer Max Baer may refer to:
* Max Baer (boxer) (1909–1959), American boxing world champion
** Max Baer Jr.
Maximilian Adelbert Baer Jr. (born December 4, 1937) is an American actor, producer, comedian, and director widely known for his role as ...
vs Lou Nova, from Yankee Stadium) which was held on 1 June 1939.
Boon married Wendy Elliot in 1940 and, following his retirement from the sport, played a number of small roles in British films such as '' Champagne Charlie'' and '' Carry On Sergeant''.IMDb.com
retrieved 19 July 2010
References
Further reading
*Bob Lonkhurst, ''Chatteris Thunderbolt: The Eric Boon Story'' (2012)
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Boon, Eric
English male boxers
Lightweight boxers
1919 births
1981 deaths