SOLOMONS, JACK

SOLOMONS, JACK (1900–1979), British boxing promoter. Born in London's East End, Solomons became a professional fighter at the age of 17, but after three bouts he left the ring and entered the fish business. In 1931 he returned to boxing as a promoter, and following World War II promoted the sport in Great Britain with the 1945 British heavyweight championship match between Jack London and Bruce Woodcock. The event was a huge success and made Solomons the premier boxing promoter in Britain. He staged boxing shows all over the world, and in 1962 put on the first professional bout in Israel. Solomons promoted numerous world title fights including the 1951 middleweight match between Ray Robinson and Randy Turpin and the heavyweight meeting of Cassius Clay and Brian London in 1966. He is the author of the book Jack Solomons Tells All (1956). (Jesse Harold Silver)