Career
Born in Bellshill, Lanarkshire, Owens adopted the ring name Jake Kilrain while still an amateur. After a defeat at the hands of the experienced Boyo Rees in April 1934 he was out of the ring for almost a year due to hand injuries before returning with another loss by disqualification to Fred Lowbridge. He moved up to welterweight and beat Jim P Boyle in December 1935 to take the Scottish welterweight title.
He followed this with wins over Harry Mason, George Purchase, and Billy Graham, before being beaten on points in March 1936 by Ernie Roderick.
He beat Seaman Jim Lawlor a month later and then fought Dave McCleave in June that year for the British welterweight title, winning via an eighth round knockout. Over the next twelve months he had nine fights – seven wins, a draw, and a further defeat to Roderick.
The second defence of his title was due to take place in July against Roderick, but was twice delayed due to Kilrain"s eye injuries and abdominal surgery in November after suffering appendicitis. The fight took place in March 1939 at Anfield, Roderick taking the title with a seventh round knockout.
Kilrain refused and continued throwing punches, hitting McCall twice in the face, sparking a melee in which several spectators got involved, a man suffered a broken arm, and the referee was thrown out of the ring.
Kilrain was charged with striking the referee, and after being found guilty of assault was fined £25, with the option of three months imprisonment. He was subsequently suspended from boxing until the end of the year by the Scottish Council of the BBBofC and fined a further £20. He returned to the ring in March 1948, beating Johnnie McKenna in one round after McKenna suffered a badly cut mouth.
After retiring from boxing, Kilrain became an official, serving on the BBBofC"s Scottish Council, and a referee.
