Bep van Klaveren
Bep van Klaveren in Australia in 1935
Personal information
Full nameLambertus van Klaveren
NicknameThe Dutch Windmill
Nationality Netherlands
Born(1907-09-26)26 September 1907
Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Died12 February 1992(1992-02-12) (aged 84)
Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Height1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Weight57 kg (126 lb)
Sport
SportBoxing
Weight classFeatherweight
ClubSchilperoord, Rotterdam
Medal record
Representing the  Netherlands
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1928 Amsterdam Featherweight

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, Berlin, Nazi 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

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bep van Klaveren.
  1. ^ a b c d sports-reference
  2. ^ a b Boxing record for Bep van Klaveren from BoxRec (registration required)
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