Harry Mason (boxer)

Career

Born in Bethnal Green, London, Mason moved to Leeds as a child, where he went on to work as a trolley boy for the LNER, and made his professional debut in August 1920, beating Young Bull over 10 rounds. In May 1923 he defeated Seaman Nobby Hall to win the BBBofC lightweight title, and was recognised in September that year by the EBU as European champion. In November 1932 he fought Ernie Rice at the Royal Albert Hall with his British and European lightweight titles at stake, winning on points over 20 rounds.

In 1924 he travelled to the United States for a series of fights before returning to England towards the end of the year. In April 1925 he fought Lucien Vinez in Paris to decide who would challenge for the world title, but the match was drawn. In June 1925 he fought Ernie Izzard with the British and European titles on the line, and won after Izzard retired after 8 rounds. In October 1925 he moved up to welterweight to challenge Johnny Brown for the vacant British title, losing a 20-round points decision, although he won a rematch the following month to take the title. He lost the title to Jack Hood in May 1926, a decision that he unsuccessfully appealed against. In 1928 he travelled to Australia for a series of fights. He fought Hood again in March 1930 in a non-title fight, the two having exchanged blows at the weigh-in; Mason beat Hood on points.

Mason suffered financial problems in 1931 after his former manager Joseph Morris successfully took him to court a year earlier for breach of contract, claiming that he had signed an exclusive contract to fight for him; At the time his debts were estimated at £450–500, and his assets £91.

In November 1931 he won a final eliminator against George Rose to earn another shot at the British welterweight title, but didn't get to fight for the title until June 1934, after winning an eliminator against Danny Evans, and regaining the title with a win over Len "Tiger" Smith after Hood had vacated the title. A run of defeats followed, culminating in the loss of his title to Pat Butler in December 1934. He continued to fight until 1937, losing his final fight to Jack Kid Berg. His career record included 145 wins (26 by knockout) from 215 fights.

Mason was known for his showmanship, and often played violin or recited poetry from the ring before a fight. In 1926 he appeared in vaudeville at the Holborn Empire, singing, dancing, and conducting the Miami Band.

Mason was engaged to Violet Hilton for a time, subsequently having a relationship with her conjoined twin sister Daisy.