The John L. Gardner Collection, comprising a unique bound volume of John L. Gardner fight programmes, signed by Gardner to the fly-leaf relating to Jo

The John L. Gardner Collection, comprising a unique bound volume of John L. Gardner fight programmes, signed by Gardner to the fly-leaf relating to John L. Gardner's period as a professional boxer; together with two framed presentation of the British heavyweight boxer's championship fight trunks and dressing gown, the trunks inscribed JOHN L., the gown JOHN L. GARDNER, the trunks frame slightly larger at 68.5 by 89cm., 27 by 35in.; the lot also including a qty. of Boxing News publications John L. Gardner was born in Hackney, London, 19th March 1953. He was heavyweight boxing champion at British, European & Commonwealth levels and was renowned as a super-fit pressure fighter with an excellent technique. Gardner won his first 24 professional fights during an undefeated five year spell. He won his British & Commonwealth title in 1978 defeating Billy Aird. His most famous fight was perhaps against the notorious Paul Sykes. The fight was stopped by the referee in the 6th round when Sykes turned his back on Gardner. He won his European title against Rudy Gauwe of The Netherlands in 1980. Gardner never lost a title fight in his career but his biggest disappointment was when Muhammad Ali backed out of his contracted fight scheduled to take place in Hawaii. Having come out of retirement once, John L. Gardner retired in 1983 aged 31 with a fight record of 35 wins from 39 bouts.