Gary Mason

Background

He was born in Jamaica.

Career

Mason was a top ten contender, his main strengths being his punching power, heart and physical strength. Mason died on 6 January 2011 in a cycling accident in South London. Mason fought 38 times as a professional in a career that spanned 10 years from 1984 to 1994, with 37 wins (34 by knockout) and only one loss, that being to Lennox Lewis when he challenged for the European title in 1991.

Mason gave Lewis his hardest fight up to that point in his career.

Mason defeated a number of well known heavyweights, including Tyrell Biggs, James Tillis, Alfonzo Ratliff, Ricky Parkey, James Pritchard, Louis Pergaud, Hughroy Currie and David Jaco. He suffered a detached retina in a bout with Everett Martin in 1990.

After a short retirement he staged a comeback, which ended with a TKO loss to Lennox Lewis, which aggravated Mason"s eye injury. He came back once again, but after winning two fights in the United States he retired for good.

Mason played three rugby league matches for the London Crusaders (now London Broncos Rugby League) reserve team, scoring a try in his first game although ending up on the losing side against Scarborough Pirates.

Mason also appeared on the panel of the Independent Television show You Bet!, and the second episode of the first series of GamesMaster in 1992 playing Sonic Blast Manitoba arcade. Mason"s home was also one of those featured on the panel show Through the Keyhole. Though the panel were able to ascertain that the property was home to a British boxer, they plumped for its being Lennox Lewis"s abode.

On the morning of 6 January 2011 Mason died after being hit by a van in Sandy Lane South, Wallington, South London whilst cycling.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. Moments after his death was announced, boxing promoter Frank Maloney told LBC 97.3 radio in London that "Everyone had the greatest of respect for Gary.

When times were bad Gary always had a smile on his face. He"s going to be sadly missed by a lot of people.

He did a lot of great work for charity.. he"d always turn up if you phoned him for a charity event.

That"s the sort of guy he was.".

Achievements

• Mason fought at the heavyweight level and became the British heavyweight champion in 1989. Mason appeared in a special celebrity show of Gladiators that raised money for charity in 1993 which John Fashanu won.