Frederick "Fearless" Mills, a British boxing legend, was born on June 26, 1919, in Bournemouth, England, a seaside resort town on the southern coast of the country. At the tender age of 17, in 1936, Mills embarked on a remarkable and illustrious professional boxing career that would eventually make him the darling of the British fight scene. Standing at 5 feet 10 inches and weighing 175 pounds, Mills was known for his aggressive, straightforward, and relentless fighting style, which earned him a reputation as a formidable opponent in the ring.
It took Mills six years to break into the world rankings, but his patience paid off in 1942, during the height of World War II, when he knocked out Len Harvey in just two rounds to capture the British Commonwealth Light Heavyweight Championship. This victory marked the beginning of a successful championship run for Mills, who went on to win the European 175-pound title with a devastating knockout of Pol Goffaux and, in 1948, defeated Gus Lesnevich to become the World Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion.
Mills' remarkable boxing career and championship days, however, were cut short. His penchant for a fast-paced lifestyle, which included frequenting nightclubs and enjoying the high life, ultimately led to his retirement from boxing at the relatively young age of 31. After losing his World Championship title to Joey Maxim on January 24, 1950, Mills hung up his boxing gloves for good.
Even in retirement, Mills remained a beloved figure, and he went on to achieve success in other fields. He owned and operated a popular nightclub, and he also landed character roles in several films. Additionally, Mills served as a presenter on the early BBC TV music show Six-Five Special in 1957.
Tragically, Mills' life came to a sudden and mysterious end on July 25, 1965, when he was found dead from gunshot wounds. Although the official verdict was suicide due to tax problems, many people believe that Mills was, in fact, murdered. The true circumstances surrounding his death remain a subject of speculation and debate to this day.
