Freddie Mills

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For other people named Freddie or Frederick Mills, see Frederick Mills (disambiguation).

Freddie Mills
Freddie Mills in The Hundred Hour Hunt.jpg
Freddie Mills in the 1952 film The Hundred Hour Hunt
Statistics
Real nameFrederick Percival Mills
Nickname(s)
  • The Bournemouth Bombshell
  • Fearless Freddie
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 10+1⁄2 in (179 cm)
Reach72 in (183 cm)
NationalityBritish
Born(1919-06-26)26 June 1919
Bournemouth, Hampshire,[1] England
Died25 July 1965(1965-07-25) (aged 46)
London, England
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights101
Wins77
Wins by KO55
Losses18
Draws6
No contests0

Frederick Percival Mills (26 June 1919 – 25 July 1965) was an English boxer, and the world light heavyweight champion from 1948 to 1950. Mills was 5 feet 10+1⁄2 inches (179 cm) tall and did not have a sophisticated boxing style; he relied on two-fisted aggression, relentless pressure, and the ability to take punishment to carry him through, and in more cases than not these attributes were sufficient.

Mills excelled first as a middleweight, and most successfully as a light-heavyweight boxer, but also fought as a heavyweight. He was described as Britain's biggest boxing idol in the post-war period and remained a popular media personality after his retirement from the ring.[2]

Once he had retired from boxing, Mills moved into boxing management and promotion, and pursued a career in entertainment, working in radio, television (notably as co-presenter of the early BBC TV music show, Six-Five Special between 1957 and 1958), and on the stage, as well as playing roles in a number of films between 1952 and 1965. He opened a Chinese restaurant in Soho before there was an established Chinatown in the area and also ran his own London nightclub until his mysterious death.

Early life[]

He was born Frederick Percival Mills in Bournemouth, Hampshire,[1][3][4] the youngest of the four children of Thomas James Mills, a totter and marine store dealer, and his wife Lottie Hilda Gray. He received a pair of boxing gloves when he was eleven, and he used to spar with his brother Charlie. He attended St Michael's School in Bournemouth until the age of fourteen, and then became an apprentice gardener and later a milkman's assistant.[3] The milkman in question was Percy Cook, brother of former Welsh lightweight champion Gordon Cook, and Percy helped Mills develop his boxing skills.[5]

Professional career[]

Early career[]

Mills had three bouts in 1936 in a 11 stone novices’ competition, all of which he won by knockout.[6] He subsequently signed professional terms with manager Bob Turner.[6] He began fighting in fairground booths and at venues on the south coast.[7] His first 64 fights, in 3½ years, most fighting as a middleweight, though often against heavier opponents, resulted in 48 wins, 9 losses and 7 draws. By late 1939 he was the Western Area middleweight champion, and in April 1940 he beat Eastern Area champion on points.[8] At the time, Mills was ranked 9th best middleweight in Britain, and Sadd 2nd.[9]

In January 1940 he joined the Royal Air Force and went on to become first a corporal physical training instructor and, by the following year, a sergeant, while continuing to box professionally.[6] He fought Jock McAvoy, the British and Commonwealth middleweight champion, the fight made at 12st 9lbs, McAvoy having the previous year unsuccessfully fought Len Harvey for the British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight titles. The fight against McAvoy took place in Liverpool in August 1940 and Mills won a clear decision over ten rounds.[10] Mills subsequent fought mainly at light heavyweight.

In 1941 he was taken on by new manager Ted Broadribb, and began an affair with Broadribb's daughter Chrissie, who was at the time married to South African boxer Don McCorkindale.[6] In September 1941 he was disqualified for a low blow in the third round against , suffering his first defeat in almost two years.[11]

In November 1941 he stopped heavyweight Jim Wilde in the third round, despite conceding almost two and a half stones to the Welshman.[12] In December 1941, he fought Jack London, a heavyweight who later (in 1944) won the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles, Mills won on points over ten rounds despite conceding over three stones in weight to London.[13][14] At this time Mills was nicknamed 'The Bournemouth Bombshell'.[15]

British light-heavyweight title[]

Mills was due to fight McAvoy in January 1942 in a final eliminator for the British and Empire (later 'Commonwealth') light-heavyweight title, but withdrew from the fight, stating that wanted to concentrate on fighting at heavyweight and challenge for Len Harvey's title.[16] He beat Tom Reddington at heavyweight later that month, but evidently had a change of heart, and in February 1942 fought McAvoy in a final eliminator for the light-heavyweight titles. The fight, in the Royal Albert Hall, ended after one round when McAvoy was forced to retire with an injured back.[17] The way was open for Mills to challenge Len Harvey for the British and Empire light-heavyweight titles (Harvey at the time also holding the British heavyweight title).

The title fight took place on 20 June 1942, at White Hart Lane, Tottenham, in front of a crowd of 30,000. In the second round Mills caught Harvey with a powerful left hook and put him down for a count of nine. When Harvey got up Mills hit him with a left uppercut, knocking him through the ropes and off the ring canvas, and in doing so he won via a knockout.[18][19] The fight created a sensation and Mills was talked of as a future challenger for Joe Louis.[7] Mills now had the light-heavyweight titles. Harvey had also been considered world champion by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC), but Mills decided not to accept the title, instead wishing to fight for American Gus Lesnevich's more recognised world title.[20] Mills only fought competitively four times in the next two years, all of them wins inside the distance, although he fought several exhibition fights, including several bouts with McCorkindale.[21] Difficulty in making fights led him to consider relinquishing his titles in 1943, expressing a desire to switch to all-in wrestling.[22]

Len Harvey's retirement in early 1943 left the British and Empire heavyweight titles vacant. Mills and London were nominated to fight for the titles by the BBBofC in April that year, but after the fight was postponed three times, twice due to injuries sustained by London, they eventually met in September 1944. The fight took place at the Kings Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, with Mills conceding just over three stone (19 kilos) in weight.[23] Both men were at the time serving in the Royal Air Force. Mills showed speed and aggression, but London's superior strength and power were evident in the closing stages and the heavier man was awarded the decision after fifteen rounds.[24]

Mills and London were set to fight again in February 1945, but London's RAF duties made it impossible for him to train.[25] Instead, Mills fought former Scottish amateur heavyweight champion Ken Shaw, stopping him in the seventh round.[26]

World title fight[]

In March 1945, Mills was posted to India and Burma as part of a touring party that also included Denis Compton, giving lectures and boxing demonstrations and taking part in exhibition bouts.[27][28]

Mills returned to the UK and was demobilised in March 1946,[29][28] and in May 1946 he was given a shot at Lesnevich's world light-heavyweight title.[30] Mills' preparation was interrupted in April when his father died at his home in Bournemouth.[31] The fight took place at Harringay Arena in front of 11,000 fans. Mills was not considered a serious threat to Lesnevich but performed better than many expected in what was described as a "slam-bang, punishing contest". Mills was floored heavily in the second round but recovered strongly and was cheered on by the British crowd. In the ninth round, Mills's aggression appeared to be turning the fight in his favour, and Lesnevich was troubled by cuts above his eyes. In the tenth, however, Lesnevich "exploded" to score two knockdowns and the referee stopped the contest.[32]

Three weeks after losing his fight against Lesnevich, Mills fought British heavyweight Bruce Woodcock, losing a twelve-round fight on points after being knocked down in the fourth.[33]

Mills returned in August 1946 with a first-round knockout of the Swedish heavyweight John Nilsson.[34] In November 1946, Mills fought another heavyweight, American Joe Baksi. Mills suffered two badly cut eyes and retired after six rounds of what was described as a "disappointingly one-sided contest".[35]

European title[]

In 1947, Mills again focused on the light-heavyweight division, and had three wins by knockout in the first half of the year (one against Italian champion and the third against South African champion Nick Wolmarans in Johannesburg) before losing in June by KO to American Lloyd Marshall.[36]

In September 1947, Mills fought for the vacant European light-heavyweight title against the Belgian, Pol Goffaux, winning after Goffaux retired towards the end of the fourth round.[37] Mills ended the year with a points win over French heavyweight Stephane Olek.[38]

Mills defended the European title in February 1948, against the Spanish champion , who was subjected to "terrific punishment" before being knocked out in the second round.[39]

In April 1948 he beat the heavyweight Ken Shaw for a second time, in a final eliminator for the British title.[40]

World title[]

On 26 July 1948, Mills was matched against Lesnevich for his second attempt at the world light heavyweight title. Mills was in much better shape for this fight, held at the White City Stadium, London in front of a 46,000 crowd. Lesnevich reportedly struggled to make the 175 pound limit, weighing in at 174¾ pounds, whereas Mills came in at 170½.[41]

Lesnevich, who was a 1/3 betting favourite, suffered from cuts over the eyes from the opening round as Mills started strongly. The fight then settled down into a "remarkably dull" affair, which drew boos from the crowd and saw both men warned by the referee Teddy Waltham for the lack of action.[42] In the tenth round, Mills rallied and floored Lesnevich heavily on two occasions. Lesnevich launched a "savage attack" in the twelfth and thirteenth rounds, but Mills responded in the last two sessions and at the end of fifteen rounds, the British boxer was awarded the decision by the referee.[43]

Mills was set to defend his title against Lesnevich in September in New York, but the fight was cancelled due to Mills suffering severe headaches and bouts of dizziness since the July fight.[44][45] In August medical opinion was sought and he was diagnosed with misaligned vertebrae at the base of the skull; It was decided that after two months rest and spinal treatment he could return to boxing.[46]

In September 1948, Mills was challenged to a fight at light-heavyweight by Sugar Ray Robinson, but it was dismissed as "ridiculous" by promoter Jack Solomons.[47]

Mills beat another heavyweight, Johnny Ralph, in Johannesburg in November 1948 in an eliminator for the Empire heavyweight title.[48] Mills broke a metacarpal in his right hand during the fight.[49]

In early 1949, after a well-received appearance with Arthur Askey on the radio show How Do You Do?, Mills expressed a desire to work in radio after his boxing career ended, stating "I am not going on fighting for ever. I've got some money now. I reckon that being on the radio would just about suit me."[50] In March 1949, Mills signed a promotional contract with Solomons, which made any return fight with Lesnevich more likely to take place in Britain.[51]

In June 1949, Mills challenged Bruce Woodcock for his British, Empire, and European heavyweight titles. The fight was also recognised as an eliminator for the British version of the World Heavyweight Championship. They fought at the White City Stadium, with Mills conceding twenty pounds in weight to his opponent. Mills bloodied the heavyweight's nose but was floored four times before being knocked out in the fourteenth round.[52]

Shortly after the Woodcock fight, Mills expressed a willingness to defend his light-heavyweight title later that year, although he wanted the purse money to be spread over five years, for tax reasons, and to guarantee him an income for several years after retiring from the ring, Mills clearly not intending to keep fighting for much longer.[53]

In September 1949, a contract was signed for Mills to defend his world title against American Joey Maxim. After several dates and venues were proposed, the fight was finally set for 24 January 1950 at Earls Court, London.[54] Mills decided to leave long-time trainer Nat Sellers and train himself for the fight.[55] Mills began strongly but Maxim, who "boxed beautifully", began to overhaul him. Mills, according to press reports, looked for a knockout win, but in the tenth round he was floored by a left right combination. Mills took the count in a sitting position before falling sideways and being counted out. Mills was assisted to his corner and was checked by a doctor before leaving the ring.[56] He had fought the last four rounds with three of his teeth knocked out and one embedded in the gum of his upper jaw.[57] Mills' reign as world champion was over, and the next day Broadribb announced that he had decided to retire, a decision made formal on 15 February when Mills wrote to BBBofC to confirm his retirement and to relinquish his British, European, and Empire light-heavyweight titles, aged 30.[58][59][60]

Personal life[]

On 30 September 1948, Mills married Christine Marie McCorkindale ("Chrissie") (25 December 1913 - 4 November 1994)[citation needed] at Herne Hill Methodist Church.[61] She had a son, Donnie, by former husband Don McCorkindale.[62] They honeymooned in South Africa, where they stayed with McCorkindale, with whom Mills was good friends.[63]

Mills and his wife went on to have two daughters, Susan Marhea (born 17 June 1952) and Amanda Christine Elizabeth (born 12 June 1958).[64] They lived, with Donnie, at Joggi Villa in Denmark Hill in South London from June 1947.[65]

Retirement and other business interests[]

Boxing management and promotion[]

A month after confirming his retirement, Mills was granted a manager's licence by the BBBofC, taking on Brixton heavyweight Terry O'Connor as his first boxer.[66][67] In June 1950, Mills' autobiography, Twenty Years, was published.[68] In 1951 he gained a promoter's licence and put on many successful events until the mid-1950s.[69]

During the latter stages of his boxing career, Mills suffered from frequent headaches,[70] which continued after his retirement. Mills taught boxing classes at the Streatham Youth Centre in the early 1960s.[71]

In October 1962 his world championship belt was stolen from his car, but it was returned three days later with a note from the thief apologising for stealing it.[72][73]

Entertainment[]

Mills made an appearance on the television show Rooftop Rendezvous in February 1950, earning praise for his comedy skills.[74] In May 1950 he did his first television commentary on the Dennis Powell v. Mel Brown card at Birmingham, broadcast by the BBC, which saw him described as "discovery of the week" by the Daily Herald.[75][76] In late 1950 he again appeared on radio as a presenter of the programme Calling All Forces.[77] In March 1952 he was given a 12-week Saturday radio show by the BBC.[78] In 1952 he made his first film appearance in Emergency Call, going on to take small rôles in a dozen films.[79]

In September 1954 he was knocked unconscious during a TV sketch after being hit over the head with a real stool rather than the prop that should have been used.[80] He made appearances on several other television and radio shows, and became a presenter on the BBC pop-music programme Six-Five Special from February 1957 until being dropped from the show in March 1958, although he returned for the final show at the end of the year.[81][82] He went on to perform on stage as part of The Dickie Henderson Show later that year, staying with Henderson until the early 1960s.[83] In 1959 he performed in Dick Whittington in Hulme, playing Idle Jack.[84] In 1961 he appeared in a Summer stage show in Brighton with Alfred Marks.[85]

He was the subject of This Is Your Life, when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews in the foyer of London's Earls Court Exhibition Centre. The episode was broadcast on 2 January 1961.[86]

By 1963, television appearances had become less frequent, although he appeared on variety show Big Night Out in January 1964.[87]

Property, restaurant and night club[]

Mills began investing in property in the late 1940s, acquiring several houses and flats.[88] In 1946 he opened the Freddie Mills Chinese Restaurant at 143 Charing Cross Road as a joint venture with Charles Luck and actor Andy Ho.[89][90] He also briefly jointly owned a café in Peckham with his friend and investment adviser Bill Bavin.[91] By 1963 the Chinese restaurant was no longer profitable, and Mills and Ho converted it to a nightclub ('The Freddie Mills Nite Spot') at a cost of around £12,000, re-opening in May that year.[2][92][93] After initially hoping to make the club a family venue, they were pressured into allowing 'hostesses' to work there, unknown to Mills a euphemism for prostitutes.[94] He became friends with the Kray Twins, notorious criminals who frequented his club.[95] In August 1963 Mills and Ho started the Freddie Mills Theatrical Agency, based at the club.[96]

After its initial success his nightclub began to fail and he tried to sell it, without success. He sold off what property he had but was in serious financial difficulty.[97]

Death[]

On 24 July 1965, Mills was found dead in his car, parked in Goslett Yard, off an alleyway behind his nightclub.[98] A fairground rifle was found in the car with Mills, who had been shot through his right eye. He had told the nightclub staff that he was going for a nap in his car, something that he often did.[99] His body was found at approximately 11:45 p.m. by doorman Robert Deacon. An ambulance was not called until Mills's wife arrived over an hour later.[100] A week or two previously, he had borrowed a 0.22 calibre rifle from May Ronaldson, whom he knew from his boxing booth days, and who ran a shooting gallery.[101] Although the rifle was not in working order when borrowed, it had apparently been repaired and was found in the car alongside him.[102] For whatever reason, still unknown and with no police in attendance, ambulance personnel removed Mills from his car, disturbing a possible crime scene, and transported his body to the Middlesex Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The investigation into his death initially assumed murder, but within a couple of days, the police had decided not to investigate it as such.[103] The coroner's inquest heard that the angle of the bullet was consistent with a self-inflicted wound, and it ruled his death a suicide.[104]

Mills's funeral took place at St. Giles’ Parish Church, Camberwell, and he was buried in Camberwell New Cemetery, South London. The pallbearers included boxing promoter Jack Solomons, British Heavyweight Champion Henry Cooper, the Secretary of the BBBofC, Teddy Waltham, and entertainer Bruce Forsyth (who also gave the funeral address).[105] His grave has a marble boxing glove on it, beneath which is an urn containing a real boxing glove.[106]

Despite the wealth that Mills had gained from his boxing career (estimated at £100,000), and his property investments that earned him around £3,000 per year, Mills died with a net figure of only £387 to his name.[107] His club had been up for sale since June 1963, but he had been unable to find a buyer.[108] At the time of his death, he was heavily in debt to a crime syndicate, which led him to be both depressed and in fear of his life.[109] He was rumoured to be making a stand against protection racketeers shortly before his death, a theory backed up by gangland enforcer Johnny Bradbury, who gave the name of the man he believed was responsible for killing Mills to the police, but they were unable to find evidence to pursue the matter.[110] Two weeks before his death, Mills and Ho had been fined for liquor and gaming offences committed at the club, and Mills had asked for a catering job at a pub near his home.[103]

A star-studded benefit show, The Freddie Mills Night, was staged in February 1966 to raise money to support his widow and children.[111]

Following his death, several lurid theories sprang up, such as that Mills, married with children, had been arrested in a public toilet and charged with indecency,[112] and that his suicide had been staged by who were seeking to take over his club.[104] In 2002, a book about Mills by former journalist Michael Litchfield contained allegations that at the time of his death he was about to be exposed as the serial killer known as "Jack the Stripper", the unidentified person responsible for the eight Hammersmith nude murders in 1964–65.[112] Litchfield also claimed that Mills had had a homosexual relationship with singer Michael Holliday, and possibly also was sexually involved with notorious gangster Ronnie Kray.[113]

Mills's family and friends did not accept the suicide verdict,[110] and according to Bavin, his widow received a phone call some time after his death from a woman who told her who was responsible for killing him.[114] In 1968, Leonard "Nipper" Read began investigating the case again at Chrissie's behest.[114] There were some inconsistencies regarding the death: two shots had been fired in the car, one from a front seat which hit the nearside front door, and the one that had killed Mills while he was sitting on the car's back seat,[115] Mills's body was found with its hands resting on his knees and the gun in a position out of Mills's reach, and there were no fingerprints found on it.[116]

In November 1970, police began investigating again after a constituent had told MP Michael O'Halloran that a man had admitted killing Mills, although the investigation was soon ended.[117]

Phoenix Television produced a documentary about the death of Mills, Murder in Soho: Who Killed Freddie Mills? Directed by Simon Dales, it was first broadcast by the BBC on 1 August 2018. The film explored the possibility that Mills was killed on the orders of notorious American mobster, Meyer Lansky. The claim was made by Roger Huntman, who said his father, Benny Huntman, a boxing manager who helped to arrange Mills's 1948 title fight against Lesnevich, was responsible for the murder.[118][119][120]

Evaluation as a boxer[]

The boxing statistics site BoxRec rates Mills as the fourteenth-best British boxer of all time, the second-best British boxer of all time in the light-heavyweight division (behind John Conteh), and the thirty-sixth-best light-heavyweight in the history of boxing.[121]

Selected filmography[]

Professional boxing record[]

Professional record summary hide
101 fights 77 wins 18 losses
By knockout 55 7
By decision 22 10
By disqualification 0 1
Draws 6
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
101 Loss 77–18–6 United States Joey Maxim KO 10 (15) Jan 24, 1950 United Kingdom Earls Court Empress Hall, Kensington, London, England Lost NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
100 Loss 77–17–6 United Kingdom Bruce Woodcock KO 14 (15) Jun 2, 1949 United Kingdom White City Stadium, White City, London, England For EBU, Commonwealth, and BBBofC British heavyweight titles
99 Win 77–16–6 Union of South Africa Johnny Ralph KO 8 (10) Nov 6, 1948 Union of South Africa Wembley Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
98 Win 76–16–6 United States Gus Lesnevich PTS 15 Jul 26, 1948 United Kingdom White City Stadium, White City, London, England Won NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
97 Win 75–16–6 United Kingdom Ken Shaw RTD 1 (12) Apr 20, 1948 United Kingdom Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England
96 Win 74–16–6 Spain Paco Bueno KO 2 (15) Feb 17, 1948 United Kingdom Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England Retained EBU light heavyweight title
95 Win 73–16–6 France Stephane Olek PTS 10 Nov 28, 1947 United Kingdom King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England
94 Win 72–16–6 Belgium Pol Goffaux RTD 4 (15) Sep 8, 1947 United Kingdom Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England Won vacant EBU light heavyweight title
93 Loss 71–16–6 United States Lloyd Marshall KO 5 (10) Jun 3, 1947 United Kingdom Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England
92 Win 71–15–6 Union of South Africa Nick Wolmarans KO 5 (10) Apr 29, 1947 Union of South Africa Wembley Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
91 Win 70–15–6 Kingdom of Italy Enrico Bertola KO 5 (10) Feb 17, 1947 United Kingdom Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England
90 Win 69–15–6 Netherlands Willie Quentemeijer KO 2 (10) Jan 20, 1947 United Kingdom Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England
89 Loss 68–15–6 United States Joe Baksi RTD 6 (10) Nov 5, 1946 United Kingdom Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England
88 Win 68–14–6 Sweden John Nilsson KO 1 (10) Aug 13, 1946 United Kingdom Withdean Stadium, Brighton, Sussex, England
87 Loss 67–14–6 United Kingdom Bruce Woodcock PTS 12 Jun 4, 1946 United Kingdom Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England
86 Loss 67–13–6 United States Gus Lesnevich TKO 10 (15) May 14, 1946 United Kingdom Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England For NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
85 Win 67–12–6 United Kingdom Ken Shaw TKO 7 (8) Feb 7, 1945 United Kingdom Queensberry Club, Soho, London, England
84 Loss 66–12–6 United Kingdom Jack London PTS 15 Sep 15, 1944 United Kingdom King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England For vacant Commonwealth and BBBofC British heavyweight titles
83 Win 66–11–6 Canada Al Delaney KO 5 (10) May 25, 1944 United Kingdom Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England
82 Win 65–11–6 United Kingdom Bert Gilroy TKO 8 (10) Feb 16, 1944 United Kingdom Queensberry Club, Soho, London, England
81 Win 64–11–6 United Kingdom Al Robinson KO 2 (10) May 22, 1943 United Kingdom Elland Road Football Ground, Leeds, Yorkshire, England
80 Win 63–11–6 United Kingdom Al Robinson RTD 6 (10) Oct 23, 1942 United Kingdom King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England
79 Win 62–11–6 United Kingdom Len Harvey KO 2 (15) Jun 20, 1942 United Kingdom White Hart Lane (Tottenham FC), Tottenham, London, England Won Commonwealth and BBBofC British light heavyweight titles
78 Win 61–11–6 United Kingdom Jock McAvoy RTD 1 (12) Feb 23, 1942 United Kingdom Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England
77 Win 60–11–6 United Kingdom Tom Reddington TKO 9 (10) Jan 26, 1942 United Kingdom Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England
76 Win 59–11–6 United Kingdom Jack London PTS 10 Dec 8, 1941 United Kingdom Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England
75 Loss 58–11–6 United Kingdom Tom Reddington PTS 10 Nov 28, 1941 United Kingdom King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England
74 Win 58–10–6 United Kingdom Jim Wilde KO 3 (8) Nov 3, 1941 United Kingdom Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England
73 Win 57–10–6 United Kingdom Tommy Martin TKO 5 (?) Sep 29, 1941 United Kingdom Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England
72 Loss 56–10–6 United Kingdom Jack Hyams DQ 3 (8) Sep 1, 1941 United Kingdom Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England
71 Win 56–9–6 United Kingdom Tom Reddington PTS 10 Aug 4, 1941 United Kingdom Filbert Street Football Ground, Leicester, Leicestershire, England
70 Win 55–9–6 United Kingdom Jack Powell TKO 1 (10) Jun 30, 1941 United Kingdom Greyhound Stadium, Reading, Berkshire, England
69 Win 54–9–6 United Kingdom Jack Hyams TKO 4 (10) Jun 8, 1941 United Kingdom The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England
68 Win 53–9–6 United Kingdom Trevor Burt TKO 2 (10) May 31, 1941 United Kingdom Gess Pavillion, Pontypool, Wales
67 Win 52–9–6 United Kingdom Arthur Sadd TKO 9 (10) May 26, 1941 United Kingdom Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England
66 Win 51–9–6 Republic of Ireland Ernie Simmons RTD 6 (10) Dec 26, 1940 United Kingdom New St James Hall, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England
65 Win 50–9–6 United Kingdom Jock McAvoy PTS 12 Aug 8, 1940 United Kingdom The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England
64 Win 49–9–6 Fiji Ben Valentine TKO 3 (10) May 22, 1940 United Kingdom Winter Gardens, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
63 Win 48–9–6 Jamaica Stafford Barton TKO 7 (10) Apr 18, 1940 United Kingdom Sports Centre, Walthamstow, London, England
62 Win 47–9–6 United Kingdom Arthur Sadd PTS 10 Apr 10, 1940 United Kingdom Winter Gardens, Eastbourne, Sussex, England
61 Win 46–9–6 United Kingdom Jim Berry PTS 10 Mar 17, 1940 United Kingdom Arena, Coventry, West Midlands, England
60 Win 45–9–6 United Kingdom Elfryn Morris KO 4 (10) Dec 27, 1939 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
59 Draw 44–9–6 Union of South Africa Eddie Maguire PTS 10 Nov 27, 1939 United Kingdom Sportsdrome, Southampton, Hampshire, England
58 Win 44–9–5 United Kingdom Dave McCleave KO 5 (10) Oct 28, 1939 United Kingdom Sportsdrome, Southampton, Hampshire, England
57 Loss 43–9–5 Union of South Africa Eddie Maguire PTS 10 Oct 23, 1939 United Kingdom Ice Rink, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England
56 Win 43–8–5 United Kingdom Charlie Parkin KO 1 (10) Jul 21, 1939 United Kingdom Millbay Rinkeries, Plymouth, Devon, England
55 Loss 42–8–5 United Kingdom Arthur Sadd PTS 10 Jun 14, 1939 United Kingdom Winter Gardens, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
54 Win 42–7–5 United Kingdom Dave McCleave KO 1 (10) May 3, 1939 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
53 Win 41–7–5 United Kingdom Charlie Parkin PTS 10 Apr 26, 1939 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
52 Loss 40–7–5 United Kingdom Elfryn Morris PTS 10 Apr 12, 1939 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
51 Draw 40–6–5 United Kingdom Nat Franks PTS 12 Mar 13, 1939 United Kingdom Millbay Rinkeries, Plymouth, Devon, England
50 Win 40–6–4 Union of South Africa Eddie Maguire PTS 10 Mar 1, 1939 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
49 Loss 39–6–4 United Kingdom Ernie Butcher Gascoigne PTS 12 Feb 20, 1939 United Kingdom Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England
48 Win 39–5–4 United Kingdom Johnny Blake TKO 6 (12) Feb 1, 1939 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
47 Win 38–5–4 Canada Paul Schaeffer PTS 10 Jan 18, 1939 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
46 Win 37–5–4 Canada Yorkey Bentley TKO 7 (12) Jan 4, 1939 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
45 Loss 36–5–4 United Kingdom Dave McCleave PTS 12 Dec 14, 1938 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
44 Win 36–4–4 United Kingdom Ernie Butcher Gascoigne PTS 12 Dec 7, 1938 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
43 Win 35–4–4 Canada Yorkey Bentley KO 6 (12) Nov 23, 1938 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
42 Win 34–4–4 United Kingdom Tom Curran PTS 10 Nov 14, 1938 United Kingdom Aquarium, Brighton, Sussex, England
41 Win 33–4–4 United Kingdom Seaman Tommy Long KO 3 (12) Nov 9, 1938 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
40 Win 32–4–4 United Kingdom Fred Clements TKO 6 (10) Oct 27, 1938 United Kingdom Connaught Drill Hall, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England
39 Win 31–4–4 United Kingdom Moe Moss KO 5 (10) Aug 1, 1938 United Kingdom Dean Court Football Ground, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
38 Win 30–4–4 United Kingdom Charlie Parkin PTS 12 Apr 27, 1938 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
37 Win 29–4–4 United Kingdom Charlie Parkin TKO 3 (12) Apr 13, 1938 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
36 Win 28–4–4 United Kingdom Jack Lewis PTS 12 Mar 30, 1938 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
35 Win 27–4–4 United Kingdom Tommy Taylor PTS 12 Mar 16, 1938 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
34 Win 26–4–4 United Kingdom Harry Vine TKO 9 (12) Mar 2, 1938 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
33 Win 25–4–4 United Kingdom Ted Barter TKO 6 (12) Feb 16, 1938 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
32 Win 24–4–4 United Kingdom Billy James TKO 3 (12) Feb 2, 1938 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
31 Win 23–4–4 United Kingdom Jim Greaves PTS 12 Jan 19, 1938 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
30 Win 22–4–4 United Kingdom Ginger Dawkins TKO 8 (12) Jan 5, 1938 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
29 Draw 21–4–4 United Kingdom Ginger Dawkins PTS 12 Dec 17, 1937 United Kingdom Adelphi Gardens Pavilion, Paignton, Devon, England
28 Loss 21–4–3 United Kingdom Jack Lewis PTS 10 Dec 15, 1937 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
27 Win 21–3–3 United Kingdom Fred Clements TKO 6 (12) Dec 1, 1937 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
26 Draw 20–3–3 United Kingdom Jim Greaves PTS 12 Nov 17, 1937 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
25 Win 20–3–2 United Kingdom Billy Fuller KO 7 (12) Nov 3, 1937 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
24 Loss 19–3–2 United Kingdom George Davis PTS 12 Oct 20, 1937 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
23 Win 19–2–2 United Kingdom Harold Anthony KO 1 (12) Oct 8, 1937 United Kingdom Adelphi Gardens Pavilion, Paignton, Devon, England
22 Loss 18–2–2 United Kingdom George Davis KO 10 (10) Aug 14, 1937 United Kingdom Poole Sports Arena, Poole, Dorset, England
21 Win 18–1–2 United Kingdom Albert Johnson PTS 12 May 5, 1937 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
20 Win 17–1–2 New Zealand Harry Lister PTS 12 Apr 28, 1937 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
19 Win 16–1–2 United Kingdom Jack Alder PTS 12 Apr 14, 1937 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
18 Win 15–1–2 United Kingdom Jack McKnight PTS 12 Mar 17, 1937 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
17 Win 14–1–2 United Kingdom Ernie Red Pullen PTS 12 Mar 3, 1937 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
16 Win 13–1–2 United Kingdom Jack McKnight PTS 12 Feb 17, 1937 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
15 Win 12–1–2 United Kingdom Harry Frolick TKO 7 (10) Feb 3, 1937 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
14 Win 11–1–2 United Kingdom Terry Warren KO 2 (8) Jan 20, 1937 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
13 Win 10–1–2 United Kingdom Billy Brown KO 1 (10) Jan 6, 1937 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
12 Win 9–1–2 United Kingdom Georges Bradby KO 1 (10) Dec 9, 1936 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
11 Win 8–1–2 United Kingdom Fred Linnington KO 4 (8) Nov 25, 1936 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
10 Win 7–1–2 United Kingdom Slogger Wilson KO 7 (8) Nov 11, 1936 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
9 Win 6–1–2 United Kingdom Stan Nelson TKO 2 (6) Oct 28, 1936 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
8 Win 5–1–2 United Kingdom Jack Scott KO 1 (6) Oct 14, 1936 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England Mills had knocked out Scott earlier on this card, leaving the crowd dissatisfied.
So, after a couple of other fights were concluded, they met again, with the same result
7 Win 4–1–2 United Kingdom Jack Scott KO 1 (6) Oct 14, 1936 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
6 Draw 3–1–2 United Kingdom George Hesketh PTS 6 May 21, 1936 United Kingdom Weymouth, Dorset, England
5 Draw 3–1–1 United Kingdom Eddie Gill PTS 6 Apr 20, 1936 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
4 Loss 3–1 United Kingdom Eddie Gill KO 3 (8) Apr 6, 1936 United Kingdom Pannier Market, Barnstaple, Devon, England
3 Win 3–0 United Kingdom Reg Davis KO 4 (6) Mar 25, 1936 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
2 Win 2–0 United Kingdom Young Barfoot KO 2 (4) Mar 11, 1936 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
1 Win 1–0 United Kingdom Jim Riley KO 1 (3) Feb 26, 1936 United Kingdom Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England

See also[]

References[]

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Sources[]

  • Bavin, Bill (1975) The Strange Death of Freddie Mills, Howard Baker Press, ISBN 0-7030-0078-0

External links[]

Achievements
Preceded by
Gus Lesnevich 		World Light Heavyweight Champion
26 July 1948 – 24 January 1950 		Succeeded by
Joey Maxim
Light heavyweight status
Preceded by
Gus Lesnevich 		Latest born world champion to die
July 22, 1965 – December 15, 1971 		Succeeded by
Dick Tiger
Retrieved from ""