Make Do and Mend

Henry Hall became Sheffield’s first national amateur champion, but did so during war-time, when boxing, like all sports, was severely restricted. When Hall turned professional after the war, rationing was still in place but the period also saw the introduction of the Welfare State and the NHS. Following a long unbeaten start to his career, Hall won the British title but did hold it for long as a propensity for facial cuts took its toll. Like most in this era, Hall did not make much money from boxing, after retirement becoming known as ‘Sheffield’s most popular milkman’.