BoxRec

Does anyone think Jack Gardner, the Heavyweight Champion of Great Britain, the British Empire, and Europe, could have went further?

His career lasted six years in a period of about eight years.

Gardner was number 8 in the world in 1950, even rated above Rocky Marciano at that time.

Gardner was also a big heavyweight of the era, at 6' 2, 220 pounds with knockout power in both hands. However, he was a very slow mover. I would rate Gardner as a puncher, not really a boxer.

Here is Jack Gardner knocking out Johnny Williams in their rubber match in 1955 for a title shot.
http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=39417
Here is one of Jack Gardner's amatuer fights.
http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=27295

Jack Gardner still beat Johnny Williams down. Williams traded shots with Gardner and came up on the losing end of course. Then in 1952, the more experienced Williams won a very close decision and Gardner's titles. The newspaper even suggested after Williams won the titles, it could have gone either way and the first title shot should be a rematch between him and Gardner.

I just think Jack Gardner could have went further if he had stayed in boxing longer and his size was an advantage.