Benny Lynch (1913-1946)

World boxing champion

Benny Lynch won the Scottish flyweight title in 1934 and the world championship in 1935 by defeating Jackie Brown in a legendary bout held in Manchester. He defended his world title three times. Unfortunately his success was short-lived due to chronic alcoholism. His achievements were recognised after his death with induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Birth in 1913

Benjamin Lynch was born on 2 April 1913, the son of John Lynch, railway surfaceman and Elizabeth Alexander. The entry in the statutory register of births for the Glasgow district of Hutchestontown gives the place of birth as 17 Florence Street.

Birth entry for Benny Lynch (32 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, 1913/644-15/490

Marriage in 1935

Benjamin Lynch, 21, professional boxer, married Annie Lynch McGuckian on 13 February 1935. The entry in the statutory register of marriages for the district of Graitney or Gretna shows that the marriage was by declaration in front of two witnesses.

Marriage entry for Benny Lynch (55 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, 1935/827/23

Death in 1946

Benny Lynch died on 6 August 1946 in Glasgow aged 33 years.
(National Records of Scotland, 1946/644-17/824)