'I am the Guv'nor's daughter - but what does that mean?' Lenny McLean, better known as The Guv'nor, was a legendary and sometimes terrifying figure: a bare-knuckle fighter, bouncer and, in later life, an actor. He was a formidable force in the East End and across London, but behind his towering demeanour was a loving father who provided a safe haven for his children. For his only daughter, Kelly, his status brought with it a reputation both to live up to, and sometimes escape. Kelly experienced the old East End way of life, often lived just outside the law, first-hand and equally the uncertainty that came with her father's mood swings and the 'black dog' that followed him around, despite their close bond. The connection between father and daughter became even more apparent as Kelly began to battle her own mental health issues that, as a mum to two young children, would threaten to destroy her life. In this incredibly frank and poignant memoir, Kelly McLean provides a unique insight into life growing up as the daughter of one of the last old-school fighters, featuring many previously untold stories. This is the story of East End life from a woman who has seen it, lived it, and sometimes been plagued by it.

Lenny McLean, better known as The Guv'nor, was a legendary and sometimes terrifying figure: a bare-knuckle fighter, bouncer and, in later life, an actor. He was a formidable force in the East End and across London, but behind his towering demeanor was a loving father who provided a safe haven for his children. For his only daughter, Kelly, his status brought with it a reputation both to live up to, and sometimes escape. Kelly experienced the old East End way of life, often lived just outside the law, first-hand and equally the uncertainty that came with her father's mood swings and the "black dog" that followed him around, despite their close bond. The connection between father and daughter became even more apparent as Kelly began to battle her own mental health issues that, as a mom to two young children, would threaten to destroy her life. In this incredibly frank and poignant memoir, Kelly McLean provides a unique insight into life growing up as the daughter of one of the last old-school fighters, featuring many previously untold stories. This is the story of East End life from a woman who has seen it, lived it, and sometimes been plagued by it.

Lenny McLean, better known as The Guv'nor, was a legendary and sometimes terrifying figure: a bare-knuckle fighter, bouncer and, in later life, an actor. He was a formidable force in the East End and across London, but behind his towering demeanor was a loving father who provided a safe haven for his children. For his only daughter, Kelly, his status brought with it a reputation both to live up to, and sometimes escape. Kelly experienced the old East End way of life, often lived just outside the law, first-hand and equally the uncertainty that came with her father's mood swings and the "black dog" that followed him around, despite their close bond. The connection between father and daughter became even more apparent as Kelly began to battle her own mental health issues that, as a mom to two young children, would threaten to destroy her life. In this incredibly frank and poignant memoir, Kelly McLean provides a unique insight into life growing up as the daughter of one of the last old-school fighters, featuring many previously untold stories. This is the story of East End life from a woman who has seen it, lived it, and sometimes been plagued by it.

THIS IS THE CLASSIC BOOK THAT STARTED AN ENTIRE GENRE – THE STORY OF THE MOST ICONIC HARDMAN OF THEM ALL. Lenny McLean was one of the deadliest bareknuckle fighters Britain has ever seen. He had dear, powerful friends, but he also had terrible enemies. So much so that he had two bullet wounds in his back – each from a different attack. He was also stabbed repeatedly – always from behind. But Lenny was also a warm, big-hearted grizzly bear of a man, whose main weakness was an overwhelming desire to put the welfare of his mates ahead of his own well-being. In his extraordinary autobiography, he tells of how the mafia flew him to New York to take on their greatest bareknuckle boxer in a multi-million pound illicit bout. The Mafia’s man lasted less than three minutes. When the IRA fronted up a London gang in a money-laundering scam, Lenny was brought in to intimidate the terrorists. The IRA, not surprisingly, backed off. . . His most serious trial came when he was accused of murder. Fighting to prove his innocence against a minimum sentence of twenty-five years, Lenny never gave up – and went on to be found not guilty. This is a tale of one man’s triumph against almost insurmountable odds, in a battle that Len fought every day for himself, and to ‘put steam on the table’ for his wife and kids.

Don't cross The Neck. As the right-hand man to 'The Guv’nor' himself, Lenny McLean, John 'The Neck' Houchin is a living legend and is now telling his story for the first time. John trained daily with Lenny in the gym to achieve his huge bulk and neck, all 23 inches of it, required to frighten the hell out of troublemakers. As the enforcers for the Krays and the Richardsons, they worked together regularly over many years 'sorting out' whatever needed sorting. These are the mean streets of London back when swift justice as well as fearless loyalty were the order of the day. A new insider take from one of the most notorious characters of the time, this book is full of chippy dialogue, gangster banter, the biggest brawls, old school honour codes and pithy reflection on the changing times – from the hard men to the high life.

When his autobiography The Guv'nor was published, it turned bareknuckle champion Lenny McLean into an unlikely cult hero. His widow here takes up the pen on his behalf, to reveal more colourful incidents - Lenny's winning match against the Mafia's best boxer, and his acting career.

Lenny McLean-fighter, actor, hard man, legend. One of the most notorious figures ever to emerge from the East End of London, he had a reputation that was held dear by his friends and associates and feared by his enemies. His life story is now part of modern-day history, and here, at last, for the millions who want to know more is a compilation of stories and memories from those whose lives he touched. In this fantastic new book, friends, family, colleagues and adversaries have all come together to share how they knew Lenny and the part he played in their lives. He is known as a formidable figh.

UNLICENSED WHO''S THE GUV''NOR The True story behind the phenomenon of Unlicensed Boxing The Men - The Fights - The History... True and astonishing accounts of how London''s gangsters took control of the UK boxing scene and created a billion-dollar worldwide industry. TEN REASONS TO BUY THE BOOK. 1. All the Guv''nor fights explained. 2. The truth about the ''fixed gloves'' in the 1st Roy Shaw vs Lenny McLean fight. 3. How unlicensed boxing began. (The Mafia connection for the Ron Stander fight) 4. The Guv''nor title explained. 5. The men who almost fought for the title, John Bindon, Dave Courtney, Billy Isaac, Mark Potter, Paul Sykes. 6. Norman Buckland and the truth about Roy Shaw handing down the belt, plus Buckland''s fights for the title. 7. Welsh Phill Davies vs Decca Heggie, why the fight never happened. 8. Why Mike Tyson''s former opponent decided to have an easy night. 9. The men outside of boxing, my experiences with Roy Shaw, Lenny McLean, Alex Steene, Joe Pyle 10. My views on who was the best and worst Guvnor. GET READY FOR WORLD WAR 3 THE DISTINGUISHED title of the meanest, roughest, toughest, hardest, most brutal - not to say dirtiest - fighter in Britain will be awarded to one of two gentlemen tonight. The runner up will very likely be on his way to the infirmary, an oxygen tent, the crematorium, or at least the title role in sleeping beauty. Colin Dunne - The Sun newspaper (Sept. 11th, 1978) write-up by the Sun newspaper''s boxing columnist on the day of the third epic battle between Roy Shaw and Lenny McLean. UNLICENSED - Who''s the Guv''nor Setting the record straight on five decades of the most notorious title in boxing. From its humble beginnings in London''s underworld to the associations of the world''s leading boxing promoters. The dark and dangerous world of illicit boxing has created legends and myths, bestselling books, documentaries and Hollywood movies... Now! Hear about it from the men behind the scenes.... ROY SHAW & LENNY MCLEAN had three epic battles that set London alight. They fought to be The GUVNOR. To hold the most Notorious position in the fighting world. - The most dangerous man on the planet... Three fights that have gone down in history and created legends and cemented the Guv''nor title as royalty! This book is about that title, it''s how it began, and the fighting breed who lost blood fighting for it. UNLICENSED - Who''s the Guv''nor As boxing promoters go, Joey Pyle is the best, he is a silver-tongued, charismatic, dangerous f**ker. He has the ability to hold everyone at arm''s length, and you''re only in Joey''s company if invited. He''s a good friend but a bad enemy. WARNING! This book can seriously alter your views on the boxing world! Copyright © 2020 Joseph Arnie Pyle Gary Dennis ★★★★★ Can''t put the book down mate, absolute classic best book in a lotta years Rob B ★★★★★ Fantastic Read - No other book can compare on the Unlicensed Game Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 September 2020 Loved this book, a lot of nostalgia, stories from the heart of the scene. Especially liked the write-up on Alex Steene. Jacko the Monkey ★★★★★ Very Interesting book Verified Purchase if you are interested in the unlicensed boxing scene and the famous names involved this is the book for you Ivor Batey ★★★★★ The truth at last about the Guv''nor. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 September 2020 At last a book that tells the truth behind Unlicensed Boxing. Written by the man who knows better than anyone about the truth. So well written and I couldn''t put it down. This is a book I guarantee you won''t regret buying. J.A.Dunsmore ★★★★★ Great Read! Rev

Lenny McLean - an infamous name, but forever a legend. He is arguably one of the most notorious and feared prize-fighters England has ever produced. Not only was he a mountain of a man and a true fighter, feared on the streets of gangland London and outside the clubs whose doors he manned in the heart of the capital, he was also an old-school East Ender, who took pride in operating on a gentleman's code despite the often-dangerous world he lived in. His life was cut all-too-short, just as it was taking a new, previously unimaginable direction after his role in Guy Ritchie's Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels but he remains loved by those who knew him. The Guv'nor Revealed uncovers parts of Lenny McLean's life not previously explored, with shared memories from his close friends, family and various other acquaintances who crossed his path one way or another during his lifetime. Lenny McLean was one of a kind; infamous for his brute strength but also loved for his protective heart. Collated from years of interviews, Lee Wortley and Anthony Thomas bring you an array of thrilling, and often touching and amusing, testimonies from those closest to him and a new insight into the life of The Guv'nor.