Luc van Dam

Profile

The story

Lucas de Vries, known by his ring name Luc van Dam, was born in Schiedam on October 23, 1920. He died in Rotterdam on July 21, 1976, at the age of 55. Van Dam was a Dutch professional middleweight boxer known as a composed stylist with strong technical skills.
His professional career ran from 1939 to 1952. The supplied record lists 115 professional bouts: 97 wins, 15 losses, and 3 draws. I am omitting the number of knockouts because the information varies between 36 and 37.

Van Dam became Dutch middleweight champion in 1940. In 1943, he fought Jupp Besselmann for the European title but lost. In 1947, he faced Bep van Klaveren twice for the Dutch middleweight title: after losing in August, he regained the title in September. In December 1950, he boxed Sugar Ray Robinson in Brussels and lost by knockout in the fourth round. During the war, he entered the ring forty times. His calm, thoughtful style and precise counterpunching made him a well-known Rotterdam boxer.

Middleweight champion

On 12 August 1940, Van Dam won the Dutch middleweight title by defeating Leen Sanders on points. He defended and regained the national title several times in the 1940s.

The title fight with Bep van Klaveren

On 10 August 1947, Van Dam defended his title against Bep van Klaveren at Feyenoord Stadium. The match was stopped after a head injury, and Van Dam lost the title. The rematch took place on 5 September at the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam; after Van Klaveren sustained an injury, the bout ended in the ninth round, and Van Dam regained the title.

International bouts

In 1943, Van Dam fought Jupp Besselmann for the European title but lost. In December 1950, he boxed against Sugar Ray Robinson in Brussels and lost by knockout in the fourth round.

In the ring

Fighting style

Luc van Dam boxed like a pure stylist. He fought calmly and calculatedly, read his opponent's tactics, and responded to weaknesses with precise counters.

Controlled and technical

Rather than attacking wildly, Van Dam kept a cool head and built his bouts up thoughtfully. His style was praised for its technique, concentration, and precise counterattacks.

Results

Performance

Dutch middleweight champion

On 12 August 1940, Van Dam won the Dutch middleweight title by defeating Leen Sanders on points. In the 1940s, he defended and regained the title several times.

International title fights

In 1943, Van Dam fought Jupp Besselmann for the European title but lost. For many years, he ranked among Europe's best without winning the official European title.

Professional record

The stated total is 115 professional bouts: 97 wins, 15 losses, and 3 draws. The sources provided differ on the number of knockouts, so that figure is not listed here.

Fights against world champions

In December 1950, Van Dam faced Sugar Ray Robinson in Brussels. He lost by knockout in the fourth round.

Over the years

Timeline

1920Schiedam

Lucas de Vries, later known as Luc van Dam, was born in Schiedam on 23 October 1920.

1939–1940professional debut and Dutch title

Van Dam began his professional career in 1939. On 12 August 1940, he defeated Leen Sanders on points and became Dutch middleweight champion.

1943European title fight

On 20 January 1943, Van Dam fought Jupp Besselmann for the European title. Besselmann won the bout.

1947two title fights with Bep van Klaveren

In August, Van Dam lost the Dutch middleweight title to Bep van Klaveren at Feyenoord Stadium. On 5 September, he regained the title after the rematch at the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam.

1950Sugar Ray Robinson

In December, Van Dam fought Sugar Ray Robinson in Brussels and lost by knockout in the fourth round.

1952 and 1976end of career and death

His professional career lasted until 1952. Van Dam died on 21 July 1976 in Rotterdam, aged 55.

Relationships

Guidance

Trainers

Theo Huizenaar

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