IN THE November 1930 version of The Ring, the highest 10 middleweights are ranked so as behind the champion, Mickey Walker. Standing prominently because the primary challenger is the Californian, Dave Shade. Immediately behind him stand two Europeans, Rene De Vos of Belgium, and Britain’s Len Harvey.
Shade had overwhelmed De Vos over 10 rounds on the Yankee Stadium, New York City, in July 1929 however he had by no means met Harvey. Shade by no means gained the world title, however he stands out as one of many higher males by no means to have accomplished so. His profession lasted from 1918 till 1935 and he misplaced solely 28 contests in a 221-bout profession, beating such luminaries as Pinkey Mitchell, Augie Ratner, Jimmy Slattery and Ace Hudkins. He additionally beat plenty of British fighters within the States, together with Frank Moody, Ted Moore, Bermondsey Billy Wells and Roland Todd.
In the late summer time of 1930, he introduced that he was coming to London to battle Harvey in an eliminator for the world title. As the bout was to happen in Britain, he was completely satisfied that it ought to be contested over the complete 15-round course, one thing that may not have occurred had the bout been held in America. BN described him on the time as “a thoroughly seasoned ring warrior, a man who has fought some of the fastest, toughest, strongest and most skilled middleweights of his time. He has literally fought his way to the front. He can be little, if anything, behind Walker and may even be a more formidable man than the world’s middleweight champion.”
The promoter, Jeff Dickson, sailed over to America in August 1930 to conclude the deal and the battle was mounted for the Royal Albert Hall on September 29. Shade left America on September 2 and, upon arrival within the UK, he arrange camp at Fred Dyer’s gymnasium within the Strand, the place the accompanying {photograph} of him was taken. He later accomplished his coaching on the Stadium Club in Holborn, and photographs of him doing so is at the moment obtainable on YouTube. Neither of those institutions survived the London Blitz 10 years later.
In previewing the competition BN acknowledged that Shade had engaged Harry Mason, Ted Kid Lewis and the featherweight, Harry Corbett, to assist along with his preparation. It additionally acknowledged that Shade’s behavior of smoking as much as 20 cigars a day was uncommon, notably because the American had requested if he may smoke between rounds! This was most likely a publicity stunt however Shade did say that he felt that smoking didn’t detract in any respect from his well being or his health.
In the occasion, the 2 males fought out a terrifically shut duel in a bout of drastically contrasting types. As was anticipated, Harvey “boxed in the upright stance throughout, whereas Shade ducked, bent low, swerved and made Len miss time and again, stepping in himself to drive a hard left or right to the body every time Len’s left went over his head.”
By the tip of the thirteenth there was nothing in it however Harvey then took benefit of Shade getting drained and nicked each rounds to take an in depth choice. So a lot for the cigars. Shade was very complementary in direction of Harvey after the battle and he stayed over right here for 2 extra contests, each towards Jack Hood, the British welterweight champion on the time, with each contests additionally happening on the Royal Albert Hall and each ending as attracts.
In the December 1930, The Ring rated Harvey because the primary contender with Shade at quantity two. Harvey sailed for the States the next yr to chase his title shot however misplaced three bouts in a row, two towards Vince Dundee and one to Ben Jeby. He by no means did get a shot at Walker, with many observers believing he had been stitched up whereas on American soil.
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