'The Hardest Man in Britain'

I'm currently reading 'The Guv'nor', an autobiography of Cockney Bareknuckle Boxing Champion, Lenny McLean. Readers may know Lenny from his appearances in UK TV drama "The Knock", about the Her Majesty's Customs and Excise Service; or from UK Gangster Flick "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" (Bazza). It would be an understatement to say Lenny is typecast in these roles as a "Hard Man", if 'The Guv'nor' is anything to go by. The blurb on the front cover of the paperback edition says it all 'I look what I am, a hard bastard!'



Lenny's tale starts with him a happy well adjusted you East London boy, until his father dies young, leaving his mother to fend for herself and the four kids. She remarries as a way of ensuring the family's survival, then everything changes for Lenny. His step father beats and verbally abuses the family, tormenting Lenny. Lenny becomes a troubled child and becomes involved in petty crime. This leads to juvenile detention and violence, continuing the process of hardening Lenny against any punishment the world can throw at him.

Lenny grows up and gradually shifts into the 'minder' industry, doing bodyguarding and enforcement work. As Lenny's reputation as a fearless fighter grows he becomes involved in the world of bareknuckle boxing, which can be done as a 'straightener' a fight where only punches are allowed, or as an 'all in', where anything goes. The 'all in' includes all manner of ungentlemanly tactics, including headbutts, groin strikes, holding and punching. In otherwords, ALL THE GOOD STUFF...

The book chronicles Lenny's numerous fights against 'Pretty Boy' Roy Shaw, 'Mad Gypsy' Bradshaw and mafia enforcers, it talks about his various altercations as a 'fixer' and 'minder'. He discusses his murder trial, being shot and stabbed, his associations with the villains of London's Underworld, his meetings with Superman Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman and others. But before you think he's all cold, tough bastard, Lenny also talks candidly about his life and relationships, the importance of being 'straight up' and being prepared to do anything or fight anyone in protection of family, friends and against those he considered bullies or slags.

Lenny's story is seeped in the atmoshpere of Old School East London, colourful and vulgar Cockney rhyming slang, Pikeys and quite a few pictures that are worth thousands of words.

I found this novel both interesting and amusing and hope that I never meet the spirit of Lenny McLean in a dark alley!

See Lenny in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels here.
See Lenny get revenge on Mad Gypsy Bradshaw for headbutting him in an unlicensed boxing match here. Warning: It's real and it aint pretty!