Born in Bethnal Green in 1950, John H Stracey is a former professional English boxer who attained the World Welterweight Championship and has also previously run a boxing school in London. Since retirement John has toured the country delivering insightful speeches about his time in the ring, training youngsters and appearing at boxing dinners in front of excited audiences. His career began in 1969 with a knockout win in two rounds, he then won his first twelve fights, eleven by knockout.
In his career John had a record of 45 wins, 5 losses, one draw and 37 knockouts fighting people such as Dave Boy Green, Hedgemon Lewis and Carlos Palomino. His World Championship win came by technical knockout against José Nápoles in Mexico City. Despite being put down in the first round, he battled back to win in the sixth. He retired as a winner when he knocked out George Warusfel in nine rounds in 1978. Now doing autograph tours with his boxing peers, John is a fascinating character who battled hard to win his World Championship and as such is an illuminating, amusing and insightful speaker who can connect with all kinds of audiences.