JACK PETERSEN

EARLY LIFE

He was born John Charles Peterson in Cardiff, the son of Thomas Peterson, a massage specialist and his wife Melinda Laura Rossiter.

AMATEUR CAREER

At the age of 18 he reached the Welsh Amateur Boxing Association finals at both middleweight and light-heavyweight. The following year he won the Welsh ABA titles at light-heavyweight and heavyweight, as well as winning the British ABA title at light-heavyweight.

BRITISH TITLE

Petersen's 17th fight was for the British light-heavyweight title. It took place at Holborn Stadium in May 1932 and Petersen beat Harry Crossley on points over 15 rounds to take his title. He later relinquished this title without defending it. Two months later, in July 1932, Petersen fought Reggie Meen for his British heavyweight title, in a bout held at Wimbledon Stadium, London. He knocked Meen out in the second round, becoming the first Welshman to be British heavyweight champion. He had accomplished this in a career lasting less than ten months.

Defended his title against Jack Pettifer, January 1932 and then Jack Doyle from Ireland in July 1933 at the White City Stadium in front of a crowd of around 30,000 before losing the title in his third defence against Len Harvey at the Royal Albert Hall in Kensington.

The re-match with Len Harvey was for the British and the British Empire (now Commonwealth) titles. They fought in June 1934 at the White City Stadium, London and this time Petersen was victorious by a twelfth-round technical knockout.

LIFE AFTER BOXING

Retired at the relatively young age of twenty-five, after a five and a half-year boxing career.

The Second World War soon came and Petersen, who had joined the Territorial Army in early 1939 being promoted to Honorary Captain by August 1939, joined the regular army. During his service he was a staff officer with Western Command and also served with the Border Regiment. He was transferred to Chester and placed in charge of troop development schemes. He became Staff Officer in charge of Physical Training for his Division in March 1941 working from a Training School operated on the South Wales coast near Penarth. His requests to serve abroad were refused.

After the war he became involved with the British Boxing Board of Control, dealing with boxing in Wales. In 1986 he became president of the board; he was also vice-chairman of the Sports Council for Wales (now Sport Wales).

FAMILY LIFE

In October 1935, he married Annie Elizabeth "Betty" Williams, daughter of Thomas Baker Williams, an auctioneer, of Cardiff. One of Petersen's sons is the sculptor David Petersen. Another son was John Petersen, an army officer, and then a successful marketing director of several international companies, including American Express (Europe), Forte Hotels, and the Daily Express. Another son was Michael.

DEATH

He died on 22 November 1990, at the Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend, of lung cancer.

LEGACY

Has a blue plaque in his honor at 6-7 St John Street, Cardiff, Wales where in trained.

Was the subject of This Is Your Life in 1957 when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the Memorial Hall in Barry.

Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1978 Birthday Honours for services to Sport particularly in Wales.