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Black and White photo of Jewish heavyweight boxer and Aushwitz survivor Harry Haft
In recently published book Baddest Man, Mark Kriegel revisits the Faustian pact at the heart of Mike Tyson’s rise and the emotional fallout that followed, writes JOHN WIGHT
All-rounder set to become the team’s youngest-ever men’s captain in an international match
HARRY HAFT is not a name many boxing fans will recognise — which is a shame because this is a man who endured more than anyone who’s ever laced up the gloves, who was quite literally forced to fight for his own survival.
Born Herschel Haft in Belchatow, Poland in 1925, Haft was Jewish and during the Nazi occupation of his country he was incarcerated just shy of his sixteenth birthday. He was then held at various camps before ending up at Auschwitz in 1942. There he was beaten, starved, and seemingly destined for death. However due to his natural strength and impressive physique — half starved notwithstanding — Haft was provided with a lifeline by an SS camp overseer who selected him to take part in bareknuckle fights against other inmates for the entertainment of the officers.
These fights were held at the Jaworzno concentration and labour camp, an Auschwitz sub-camp whose inmates worked at the coal mine located there.
In recently published book Baddest Man, Mark Kriegel revisits the Faustian pact at the heart of Mike Tyson’s rise and the emotional fallout that followed, writes JOHN WIGHT
As we mark the anniversaries of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, JOHN WIGHT reflects on the enormity of the US decision to drop the atom bombs
From humble beginnings to becoming the undisputed super lightweight champion of the world, Josh Taylor’s career was marked by fire, ferocity, and national pride, writes JOHN WIGHT
Mary Kom’s fists made history in the boxing world. Malak Mesleh’s never got the chance. One story ends in glory, the other in grief — but both highlight the defiance of women who dare to fight, writes JOHN WIGHT
