Reggie Kray's boxing gloves, a pair of red Lonsdale gloves; sold with a photograph of Reggie Kray wearing the gloves in his prison cell; and a further photograph of the Kray Twins from their amateur boxing days in the early 1950s (4) Reginald Kray was born at Hoxton 24th October 1933. In his youth Reggie was an accomplished amateur boxer and was undefeated in seven fights between 31st July and 11th December 1951, defeating Bobby Manito (twice), Johnny Starr, George Goodsall, Bill Sliney (twice) & Bobby Woods. His twin brother Ronnie also boxed and won four of his six bouts in the ring. However, the disciplines of pugilism and national service did little to prevent the Kray Twins embarking on a path that would lead to notoriety as British gangsters. Although imposing a reign of violence in the London underworld, they remained virtually unknown to the general public until 1964 when their names were linked in a Sunday newspaper scandal story to a Conservative peer. Scotland Yard had been on the trail of The Krays for years, and in 1968 they were arrested by Detective Superintendent ''Nipper'' Read and charged with murder. Reggie Kray was convicted at the Old Bailey in 1969 and was jailed for life with the recommendation that he serve 30 years. He became one of Britain's longest serving prisoners and a public campaign began to secure his release, on the grounds that his crimes were only against other criminals. However, the Home Secretary only ordered his release after 31 years in jail when Reggie was diagnosed with terminal cancer and had weeks to live. Reggie Kray died 1st October 2000 aged 66. He had maintained a strong interest in boxing and the gloves were used during his long incarceration for exercise and recreation. The British boxer Tony Gibbs visited Reggie Kray regularly in prison and was presented with the gloves on one occasion.
£4,000 - £6,000
Reggie Kray's boxing gloves, a pair of red Lonsdale gloves; sold with a photograph of Reggie Kray wearing the gloves in his prison cell; and a further photograph of the Kray Twins from their amateur boxing days in the early 1950s (4) Reginald Kray was born at Hoxton 24th October 1933. In his youth Reggie was an accomplished amateur boxer and was undefeated in seven fights between 31st July and 11th December 1951, defeating Bobby Manito (twice), Johnny Starr, George Goodsall, Bill Sliney (twice) & Bobby Woods. His twin brother Ronnie also boxed and won four of his six bouts in the ring. However, the disciplines of pugilism and national service did little to prevent the Kray Twins embarking on a path that would lead to notoriety as British gangsters. Although imposing a reign of violence in the London underworld, they remained virtually unknown to the general public until 1964 when their names were linked in a Sunday newspaper scandal story to a Conservative peer. Scotland Yard had been on the trail of The Krays for years, and in 1968 they were arrested by Detective Superintendent ''Nipper'' Read and charged with murder. Reggie Kray was convicted at the Old Bailey in 1969 and was jailed for life with the recommendation that he serve 30 years. He became one of Britain's longest serving prisoners and a public campaign began to secure his release, on the grounds that his crimes were only against other criminals. However, the Home Secretary only ordered his release after 31 years in jail when Reggie was diagnosed with terminal cancer and had weeks to live. Reggie Kray died 1st October 2000 aged 66. He had maintained a strong interest in boxing and the gloves were used during his long incarceration for exercise and recreation. The British boxer Tony Gibbs visited Reggie Kray regularly in prison and was presented with the gloves on one occasion.