Lenny McLean - The Guvnor

L enny and I first met when Reg Kray asked me to speak to him concerning a project we were involved in. I knew of his fearsome reputation and had witnessed on television his ferocity in dealing with the opposition. You can imagine it was with some trepidation that I knocked on his door.

The sheer size of the man overwhelmed me for a moment, as did the warmth and friendliness of his greeting. We discussed our business, one thing led to another, and we began working on this book together. It meant being with Lenny for a number of weeks, either sitting in his front room, plied endlessly with tea from his wife, Val, or out and about meeting acquaintances.

I was struck by the old-world courtesy within his circle, where mutual respect is held above all else. A lack of respect towards myself created an incident, which allowed me to glimpse a side of Lenny that I had begun to think was a myth outside the ring.

We had gone to the gym to meet someone who could give me some background information. We were introduced and Len disappeared to take a sauna. I was given a drink, then the man I was interviewing left me for a few minutes to talk to someone else on the other side of the gym. Suddenly, Len was back in the room, beside himself with rage. He seemed to have doubled in size as he ran over to the two men. The hair on the back of my neck stood up as I watched him verbally assault the two blokes.

The controlled threat of violence was awesome as he ordered one of them out of the club. His outburst was due to the fact that I was being ignored while my interviewee was passing the time of day with a no-account grass referred to later in the book.

This incident gave me an insight into Lenny that I could not have gained in a hundred interviews. Control is the keyword, for he is by no means the lunatic he likes to call himself or be called by others.

I speak as I find and no coercion is needed for me to say that I found Lenny to be a very caring person, a shrewd judge of character and highly intelligent. He told me, Nobody can pretend with me. I just have to look in their eyes and I can tell just what they are thinking.

He is an extrovert a showman. His personality matches his physical appearance, and he can be an over-whelming presence wherever he goes.

I have spoken to many people about Len and I include quotes from some of them as an example of the respect and esteem he has earned and been given.

Peter Gerrard, 2000

(Deceased)

Though he is not of the age group, he is one of the old school in principle. Also, he is definitely a positive thinker, yet without it becoming a task in life. He always keeps his word and values his friends. He chooses his company carefully so that he only has good people around him. He also has the unusual combination of brains as well as brawn. My friend Lenny does not give up easily. He is a legend in his own lifetime and he has become a legend on his own merit. Above all, he is a man.

(Deceased)

Lenny is one of the best people I have ever met. He is a gentleman and one of the best fighters I have ever seen. God bless.

(Deceased)

Lenny and myself have been friends for a long time. While I have the greatest respect for him as a fighter, I have an even greater respect for him as a man. He told me that he intends to break into the acting game. Well, all I can say is, Move over, all you screen heroes, theres another Victor McGlagen on the way up.

(Businessman)

I heard of Lennys fearsome reputation many years ago while I was serving my own sentence in prison. Through mutual friends we met and after that he would visit regularly and bring in videos of his fights, which were well received by the other inmates. What strikes me most about him? His integrity and honesty. In my life I have dealt with all kinds of businesspeople, bankers, lawyers and government ministers. These people, pillars of society and supposedly above reproach, will, given the opportunity, rip the coat off your back. Lenny has made a living with his fists, and in younger days on the other side of the fence, but give me his kind of honesty any day. His values are a hundred per cent and he can be totally relied on. When my kids spend a night out in the clubs minded by Lenny, I can rest easy knowing they are in the safest hands.

(Promoter and businessman)

I used to manage and promote the original Guvnor, Roy Shaw. At the time, Roy was unbeaten and unbeatable. He was taking on challenges and the first thing I would ask was: Can you sell at least 6,000 worth of tickets? If they couldnt, they didnt get the fight. Roy was riding a crest, then along came a young fellow from Hoxton. His name was Lenny McLean. I had never heard of him. Roy had never heard of him. We took up Lenny McLeans challenge. After two fights and a win each, a return was arranged and Roy walked straight into a right-hander. Lenny became the Guvnor. Since that time we have become friends. Lenny is a great guy with a lot of respect. One look at Lens pugilistic features and one can see what he has come through. He has been a good pal to me and I know both sides of him, as a fighter and a gentleman. Funny he reminds me of the character in the book Of Mice and Men his name was Lenny, too.

(Britains Most Wanted Man)

Before I knew of Lens reputation, I went to a fight at the Rainbow where he was on the card. I put my money on the other man and lost every penny. After that, my money was on the Big Fella and still is. Hes a very tough guy, but hes also got a big, big heart. No one could wish for a more loyal friend when the chips are down.