Bep van Klaveren
Dutch boxer (1907–1992)
Bep van Klaveren
Bep van Klaveren in Australia in 1935
Full name Lambertus van Klaveren Nickname The Dutch Windmill Nationality Netherlands Born (1907-09-26 ) 26 September 1907Rotterdam , the NetherlandsDied 12 February 1992(1992-02-12) (aged 84)Rotterdam, the Netherlands Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) Weight 57 kg (126 lb) Sport Boxing Weight class Featherweight Club Schilperoord, Rotterdam
Lambertus "Bep" van Klaveren (26 September 1907 – 12 February 1992) was a Dutch boxer , who won the gold medal in the featherweight division at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam . Van Klaveren remains the only Dutch boxer to have won an Olympic gold medal. His younger brother Piet competed as a boxer at the 1952 Summer Olympics .
[ 1]
Biography
Born in Rotterdam as Lambertus Steenhorst, he adopted the name of his stepfather Pieter van Klaveren when he was eight. After primary school, he worked as a butcher's assistant and fought in his spare time. He seriously took up boxing aged 16, and around that time changed to a vegetarian diet believing it fits better for a boxer. In 1926 he won the national flyweight title and in 1927–29 the featherweight title. After his Olympic success in 1928, he received a hero’s welcome in his hometown Rotterdam and was presented to the Dutch Queen and her prince consort.[ 1]
In 1929 van Klaveren began a long career of professional boxer, which ended in 1956. In 1931 he became European champion in the lightweight division and in 1938 he won the same title in the middleweight division. During his professional tenure, van Klaveren fought on four continents and won fights against Ceferino Garcia and Kid Azteca . He also faced Hall of Famers Young Corbett III and Billy Petrolle .[ 2]
In 1935 van Klaveren married Margarite Olivera, daughter of a banker. He lost much money through her excessive lifestyle and through his boxing manager. Van Klaveren was sentenced for one year for assaulting Olivera. He was released on bail after three months and fled to Rotterdam, leaving behind all his possessions.[ 1]
During World War II van Klaveren served overseas with the Dutch army. He then moved to Australia with his second wife, an Australian nurse, and worked there as a sports teacher, dock worker, bouncer, and boxing instructor. He then returned to Rotterdam and retired in 1948, but returned to the ring in 1954 and won 11 out of 12 bouts. He retired for good in 1956 after an unsuccessful attempt to win the European welterweight title.[ 2] The same year he married for the third time, and for several years ran a cigar shop with his wife, though with little success. He continued to train through all his life and did not smoke or drink alcohol. He died in 1992 in his native Rotterdam, aged 84. The same year a memorial statue of van Klaveren was installed in Rotterdam. The annual Bep van Klaveren boxing memorial was launched in 1993, and became the largest boxing competition in the Netherlands.[ 1]
Gallery
Professional boxing record
110 fights
80 wins
21 losses
By knockout
21
4
By decision
59
15
By disqualification
0
2
Draws
9
No.
Result
Record
Opponent
Type
Round, time
Date
Age
Location
Notes
110
Loss
80–21–9
Werner Handtke
TKO
5 (10)
Mar 19, 1956
48 years, 172 days
Ahoy'-hal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
109
Loss
80–20–9
Idrissa Dione
PTS
15
Nov 28, 1955
48 years, 60 days
Ahoy'-hal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
For European welterweight title
108
Win
80–19–9
Horst Garz
PTS
10
Sep 26, 1955
47 years, 362 days
Rivièrahal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
107
Win
79–19–9
Freddi Teichmann
PTS
10
May 16, 1955
47 years, 229 days
Kurzaal, Scheveningen, Netherlands
106
Win
78–19–9
Emil Koch
PTS
10
Mar 21, 1955
47 years, 173 days
Rivièrahal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
105
Win
77–19–9
Rafael da Silva
PTS
10
Jan 17, 1955
47 years, 110 days
Ahoy'-hal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
104
Win
76–19–9
Terry Ratcliffe
TKO
8 (10)
Nov 1, 1954
47 years, 33 days
Ahoy'-hal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
103
Win
75–19–9
Jimmy Lyggett
PTS
10
Oct 4, 1954
47 years, 5 days
Haagsche Zoo, Den Haag, Netherlands
102
Loss
74–19–9
Terry Ratcliffe
TKO
4 (10)
Sep 6, 1954
46 years, 342 days
Ahoy'-hal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
101
Win
74–18–9
Herbert Glaser
KO
2 (10)
Jun 21, 1954
46 years, 265 days
Ahoy'-hal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
100
Win
73–18–9
Santos Martins
PTS
10
May 21, 1954
46 years, 234 days
Kurzaal, Scheveningen, Netherlands
99
Win
72–18–9
Alois Dewulf
PTS
10
Apr 15, 1954
46 years, 198 days
Haagsche Zoo, Den Haag, Netherlands
98
Win
71–18–9
Kit Pompey
PTS
10
Feb 15, 1954
46 years, 139 days
Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Netherlands
97
Win
70–18–9
Tino Pierluigi
PTS
8
Jan 7, 1954
46 years, 100 days
Rivièrahal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
96
Win
69–18–9
Francois Blanchard
TD
6 (10)
Nov 30, 1948
41 years, 62 days
RAI, Amsterdam, Netherlands
The bout was halted after round 6 because of a cut over Blanchard's right eye
95
Win
68–18–9
Jean Wanes
PTS
10
Nov 16, 1948
41 years, 48 days
Rivièrahal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
94
Win
67–18–9
Albert Heyen
TKO
1 (10)
Nov 2, 1948
41 years, 34 days
Rubenspaleis, Antwerpen, Belgium
93
Win
66–18–9
Hans Norbert
KO
3 (10)
Jul 28, 1948
40 years, 303 days
RAI, Amsterdam, Netherlands
92
Win
65–18–9
Harry Bos
TKO
5 (10)
Jul 15, 1948
40 years, 290 days
Apollohal, Amsterdam, Netherlands
91
Win
64–18–9
Harry Bos
TKO
4 (10)
Jun 22, 1948
40 years, 267 days
Apollohal, Amsterdam, Netherlands
90
Loss
63–18–9
Luc van Dam
PTS
15
May 15, 1948
40 years, 229 days
Apollohal, Amsterdam, Netherlands
For Dutch middleweight title
89
Win
63–17–9
Leon Fouquet
PTS
10
Apr 21, 1948
40 years, 205 days
Rivièrahal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
88
Win
62–17–9
Des Jones
PTS
10
Apr 6, 1948
40 years, 190 days
Apollohal, Amsterdam, Netherlands
87
Loss
61–17–9
Luc van Dam
TD
9 (12)
Sep 5, 1947
39 years, 341 days
Olympisch Stadion, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Lost Dutch middleweight title; The referee halted the fight because of a cut on Van Kleveren's cheek
86
Win
61–16–9
Luc van Dam
TD
5 (15)
Aug 10, 1947
39 years, 315 days
Stadion Feijenoord, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Won Dutch middleweight title; The referee halted the fight because of a cut on Van Dam's cheek
85
Win
60–16–9
George Posno
TKO
5 (10)
May 13, 1947
39 years, 226 days
Rivièrahal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
84
Win
59–16–9
Jan Schoen
KO
4 (10)
Apr 15, 1947
39 years, 198 days
Hotel Krasnapolsky, Amsterdam, Netherlands
83
Draw
58–16–9
Paul Altman
PTS
6
Sep 15, 1942
34 years, 351 days
Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
82
Win
58–16–8
Mickey Daniels
PTS
10
Sep 19, 1941
33 years, 355 days
Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
81
Loss
57–16–8
Milt Aaron
UD
10
Mar 14, 1940
32 years, 167 days
Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, US
80
Draw
57–15–8
Augie Arellano
PTS
8
Feb 24, 1940
32 years, 148 days
Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
79
Win
57–15–7
Jay Macedon
PTS
8
Jan 27, 1940
32 years, 120 days
Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
78
Win
56–15–7
Ernie Vigh
PTS
8
Jan 9, 1940
32 years, 102 days
New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, US
77
Win
55–15–7
Cleto Locatelli
PTS
10
Jul 24, 1939
31 years, 298 days
Doelentuin, Rotterdam, Netherlands
76
Win
54–15–7
Assane Diouf
PTS
10
Jun 25, 1939
31 years, 269 days
Stadion Feijenoord, Rotterdam, Netherlands
75
Win
53–15–7
Al Baker
PTS
10
May 14, 1939
31 years, 227 days
Doelentuin, Rotterdam, Netherlands
74
Win
52–15–7
Victor Janas
PTS
10
Apr 3, 1939
31 years, 186 days
De Doelen, Rotterdam, Netherlands
73
Draw
51–15–7
Jupp Besselmann
PTS
12
Mar 9, 1939
31 years, 161 days
Sportpalast Schoeneberg, Germany
72
Win
51–15–6
Paddy Roche
PTS
10
Feb 13, 1939
31 years, 137 days
De Doelen, Rotterdam, Netherlands
71
Loss
50–15–6
Anton Christoforidis
PTS
15
Nov 14, 1938
31 years, 46 days
De Doelen, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Lost European middleweight title
70
Win
50–14–6
Henry Rothier
PTS
10
Oct 17, 1938
31 years, 18 days
De Doelen, Rotterdam, Netherlands
69
Win
49–14–6
Edouard Tenet
PTS
15
Jul 17, 1938
30 years, 291 days
Stadion Feijenoord, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Won European middleweight title
68
Win
48–14–6
Anton Christoforidis
PTS
10
May 23, 1938
30 years, 236 days
Nenijtohal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
67
Win
47–14–6
Jean Simon
PTS
10
Mar 21, 1938
30 years, 173 days
De Doelen, Rotterdam, Netherlands
66
Win
46–14–6
Kid Tunero
PTS
10
Feb 7, 1938
30 years, 131 days
Nenijtohal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
65
Win
45–14–6
Pierre Stepanci
PTS
10
Jan 10, 1938
30 years, 103 days
De Doelen, Rotterdam, Netherlands
64
Win
44–14–6
Jack Ulrich
RTD
3 (10)
Dec 10, 1937
30 years, 72 days
Hotel Krasnapolsky, Amsterdam, Netherlands
63
Win
43–14–6
Nestor Charlier
PTS
10
Nov 8, 1937
30 years, 40 days
De Doelen, Rotterdam, Netherlands
62
Win
42–14–6
Gilbert Jamsin
TKO
4 (10)
Oct 11, 1937
30 years, 12 days
Hotel Krasnapolsky, Amsterdam, Netherlands
61
Loss
41–14–6
Gustav Eder
KO
8 (10)
Jul 11, 1937
29 years, 285 days
Nenijtohal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
60
Win
41–13–6
Jomme Wegner
TKO
6 (10)
May 10, 1937
29 years, 223 days
De Doelen, Rotterdam, Netherlands
59
Win
40–13–6
Charles Pernot
PTS
10
Feb 8, 1937
29 years, 132 days
Nenijtohal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
58
Loss
39–13–6
Glen Lee
PTS
10
Nov 6, 1936
29 years, 38 days
Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US
57
Loss
39–12–6
Jack Carroll
PTS
15
Feb 6, 1936
28 years, 130 days
Sydney Sports Ground, Sydney, Australia
56
Loss
39–11–6
Jack Carroll
PTS
15
Dec 26, 1935
28 years, 88 days
Sydney Sports Ground, Sydney, Australia
55
Draw
39–10–6
Al Manfredo
PTS
10
Jul 12, 1935
27 years, 286 days
Frank Chance Field, Fresno, California, US
54
Win
39–10–5
Kid Azteca
PTS
10
May 24, 1935
27 years, 237 days
Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US
53
Win
38–10–5
Carlos Salomon
PTS
10
Apr 9, 1935
27 years, 192 days
Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
52
Loss
37–10–5
Young Corbett III
PTS
10
Feb 22, 1935
27 years, 146 days
Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California, US
51
Loss
37–9–5
Young Corbett III
PTS
10
Jan 28, 1935
27 years, 121 days
Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
50
Win
37–8–5
Ceferino Garcia
PTS
10
Dec 7, 1934
27 years, 69 days
Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US
49
Loss
36–8–5
Ceferino Garcia
PTS
10
Oct 30, 1934
27 years, 31 days
Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
48
Draw
36–7–5
Joe Rossi
PTS
10
May 9, 1934
26 years, 222 days
Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
47
Win
36–7–4
Eddie Shapiro
TKO
7 (10)
Apr 30, 1934
26 years, 213 days
Carlin's Park, Baltimore, Maryland, US
46
Win
35–7–4
Frankie Petrolle
PTS
10
Mar 16, 1934
26 years, 168 days
104th Regiment Armory, Baltimore, Maryland, US
45
Win
34–7–4
Phil Rafferty
PTS
10
Jan 25, 1934
26 years, 118 days
Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
44
Win
33–7–4
Benny Levine
KO
3 (10)
Jan 13, 1934
26 years, 106 days
Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
43
Win
32–7–4
Tony Falco
PTS
10
Jan 5, 1934
26 years, 98 days
Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
42
Win
31–7–4
Stanislaus Loayza
PTS
10
Nov 16, 1933
26 years, 48 days
Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
41
Loss
30–7–4
Billy Petrolle
RTD
4 (10)
Jul 12, 1933
25 years, 286 days
Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, US
40
Win
30–6–4
Herman Perlick
PTS
10
Jun 5, 1933
25 years, 249 days
Bonacker's Stadium, Rensselaer, New York, US
39
Win
29–6–4
Jimmy Phillips
PTS
8
Mar 31, 1933
25 years, 183 days
Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
38
Win
28–6–4
Baby Joe Gans
PTS
8
Mar 17, 1933
25 years, 169 days
Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
37
Win
27–6–4
Phil Rafferty
PTS
10
Jan 9, 1933
25 years, 102 days
St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
36
Win
26–6–4
Eddie Ran
PTS
10
Nov 28, 1932
25 years, 60 days
St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
35
Win
25–6–4
Paolo Villa
PTS
8
Nov 21, 1932
25 years, 53 days
St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
34
Loss
24–6–4
Cleto Locatelli
PTS
15
Jul 17, 1932
24 years, 292 days
Wielerbaan Kralingen, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Lost European lightweight title
33
Win
24–5–4
Victor Deckmyn
TKO
5 (10)
Jun 5, 1932
24 years, 250 days
Wielerbaan Kralingen, Rotterdam, Netherlands
32
Win
23–5–4
Len Tiger Smith
PTS
10
May 2, 1932
24 years, 216 days
Gebouw van K&W, Rotterdam, Netherlands
31
Draw
22–5–4
François Sybille
SD
15
Mar 26, 1932
24 years, 179 days
Palais des Sports, Schaerbeek, Belgium
Retained European lightweight title
30
Loss
22–5–3
Louis Saerens
SD
10
Jan 5, 1932
24 years, 98 days
Rubenspaleis, Antwerpen, Belgium
29
Win
22–4–3
Henri Scillie
TKO
4 (10)
Dec 16, 1931
24 years, 78 days
Palais des Sports, Schaerbeek, Belgium
28
Win
21–4–3
Henri Scillie
SD
15
Nov 17, 1931
24 years, 49 days
Gebouw van K&W, Den Haag, Netherlands
Retained European lightweight title
27
Win
20–4–3
Harry Corbett
PTS
15
Oct 21, 1931
24 years, 22 days
Colston Hall, Bristol, England, UK
Retained European lightweight title
26
Win
19–4–3
Jim Hunter
KO
2 (15), 2:45
Oct 5, 1931
24 years, 6 days
Gebouw van K&W, Den Haag, Netherlands
25
Win
18–4–3
François Sybille
KO
2 (15), 2:45
Jul 19, 1931
23 years, 293 days
Wielerbaan Kralingen, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Won European lightweight title
24
Draw
17–4–3
Leen Sanders
PTS
10
Apr 20, 1931
23 years, 203 days
Gebouw van K&W, Rotterdam, Netherlands
23
Draw
17–4–2
Franz Dübbers
PTS
8
Feb 17, 1931
23 years, 141 days
Sportpalast, Schoeneberg, Berlin, Weimar Republic
22
Win
17–4–1
Paul Czirson
KO
5 (10)
Feb 9, 1931
23 years, 133 days
Gebouw van K&W, Rotterdam, Netherlands
21
Win
16–4–1
Jakob Domgoergen
PTS
10
Jan 8, 1931
23 years, 101 days
Haagsche Zoo, Den Haag, Netherlands
20
Draw
15–4–1
Paul Czirson
PTS
10
Nov 7, 1930
23 years, 39 days
Etablissement Sagebiel, Hamburg, Weimar Republic
19
Win
15–4
Henri Vuillamy
PTS
10
Nov 3, 1930
23 years, 35 days
Gebouw van K&W, Rotterdam, Netherlands
18
Loss
14–4
Len Tiger Smith
PTS
12
Aug 2, 1930
22 years, 307 days
City Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
17
Win
14–3
George Purchase
PTS
10
Jul 5, 1930
22 years, 279 days
City Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
16
Win
13–3
Charles van Rooyen
PTS
10
Jun 14, 1930
22 years, 258 days
City Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
15
Win
12–3
Lucien Porthaels
PTS
10
May 7, 1930
22 years, 220 days
Haagsche Zoo, Den Haag, Netherlands
14
Win
11–3
Charlie Mack
PTS
10
Apr 28, 1930
22 years, 211 days
Gebouw van K&W, Rotterdam, Netherlands
13
Loss
10–3
Harry Brooks
PTS
15
Apr 1, 1930
22 years, 184 days
Free Trade Hall, Manchester, England, UK
12
Win
10–2
Haydn Williams
PTS
10
Mar 17, 1930
22 years, 169 days
Haagsche Zoo, Den Haag, Netherlands
11
Win
9–2
Leen Sanders
PTS
15
Feb 18, 1930
22 years, 142 days
Gebouw van K&W, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Won Dutch lightweight title
10
Win
8–2
Jack Hudson
TKO
11 (15)
Jan 28, 1930
22 years, 121 days
Free Trade Hall, Manchester, England, UK
9
Win
7–2
Horace Barber
PTS
15
Jan 13, 1930
22 years, 106 days
Baths Hall, Swindon, England, UK
8
Win
6–2
Billy Streets
PTS
15
Jan 8, 1930
22 years, 101 days
Connaught Drill Hall, Portsmouth, England, UK
7
Win
5–2
Jack Dedheene
TKO
3 (10)
Dec 25, 1929
22 years, 87 days
Gebouw van K&W, Rotterdam, Netherlands
6
Win
4–2
George Peck
PTS
15
Nov 30, 1929
22 years, 62 days
Holmeside Stadium, Sunderland, England, UK
5
Win
3–2
Leo Nicolaas
TKO
7 (10)
Nov 18, 1929
22 years, 50 days
Haagsche Zoo, Den Haag, Netherlands
4
Loss
2–2
Young Lefevre
DQ
8 (10)
Oct 30, 1929
22 years, 31 days
Gebouw van K&W, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Low blow
3
Win
2–1
Kid Robert
KO
4 (10)
Oct 14, 1929
22 years, 15 days
Haagsche Zoo, Den Haag, Netherlands
2
Loss
1–1
Nicolas Wilk
DQ
4 (10)
Aug 26, 1929
21 years, 331 days
Gebouw van K&W, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Low blow
1
Win
1–0
Jules Steyaert
PTS
8
Jul 29, 1929
21 years, 303 days
Gebouw van K&W, Rotterdam, Netherlands
References
1904: 115–125 lb (52.2–56.7 kg) · 1908: 116–126 lb (52.6–57.2 kg) · 1920–1928: 118–126 lb (53.5–57.2 kg) · 1932–1936: 119–126 lb (54.0–57.2 kg) · 1948: 54–58 kg · 1952–2008: 54–57kg · 2020–2024: 53–57 kg · 2024–: 52–57 kg
International National People