Leon Greenman

• Name: Leon Greenman
• Birthdate:  ?/?/1911
• Birthplace: London, England
• Hometown: Rotterdam
• Height: 5 feet 6 inches
• Weight: 120lbs.
• Amateur Record: unavailable

Career Review

Leon Greenman was an amateur boxer who was sent to Auschwitz Concentration Camp during World War II.

Greenman was born in England, but his family moved to Rotterdam in 1916. In his youth, Greenman was a scrappy amateur boxer. When the Nazi army invaded, Greenman, who was Jewish, was arrested and sent to Westerbork Concentration Camp in October 1942. In February 1943, Greenman and his family were sent to Auschwitz.

Greenman's infant son died at the camp, but he managed to survive. The Nazi guards, unaware of his boxing experience, never forced him to compete in the camp's boxing matches. Greenman said he survived by using his barber experience-to shave the heads of his fellow inmates. Greenman was freed by the Russian army in January 1945.

In 2005, the 94 year old Greenman told his story to the Guardian.

Source

• Guardian, January 12, 2005: LEON GREENMAN.