John Courtis

John Courtis appeared in his only ABA final in 1924 when he lost to the defending light-heavyweight champion Harry Mitchell. Courtis came close to a second appearance in 1928 when, boxing as a heavyweight, he suffered a controversial loss on points in the semi-final to C. F. Capper, when many felt the decision should have gone the other way.

Courtis served with the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) and eventually reached the rank of captain. He won Imperial Services and Army titles at light-heavy and heavyweight. He was the reigning Army heavyweight champion when he took part in Olympic trials in 1928, but failed to make it to his second Games. Courtis had his last fight in 1937 at the age of 35, when he represented the RASC against the King’s Regiment in the final of the Army Inter-unit Team Championship. Despite not winning the title, Courtis bowed out individually with a knockout win in his final contest.