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Death has claimed two outstanding welterweights of the 1940s and 1950s, Bernie Hall and Len Dittmar.

Hall died on May 6, 2007, weeks short of his 80th birthday.

The only Australian to go 12 rounds with Freddie Dawson "the Dark Destroyer," smart-boxing Hall beat Ivor Germain, Alfie Clay, Darby Brown (twice), Jackie Wilson (twice) and Ken Bailey (1-1). He beat Clem Sands (three times, one a KO 13 for the NSW welter title). Hall lost to two world champions, Joe Brown and Jimmy Carter.

Six times he met George Kapeen, for two wins, two draws and two losses.

In a bad final year to 1954 Hall was stopped four times, including by Kapeen in Bernie’s only Australian title fight.

The skills he’d learned from Theo Green and Snowy Robbins, Bernie passed on at his gym in Oxford Street, Kings Cross, to boxers he quaintly named Charkey Ramon, Bricky Squire and Rigger Mortis.

For years he ran club fights at South Sydney Juniors Leagues Club. Bernie Hall was reclusive in recent years.

Len Dittmar died recently at 81. He came to the Australian welterweight title late in his 10 years pro, winning the crown over 15 rounds from glamour fighter Tommy Burns.

Eight months on, in 1952 Dittmar went out hard, stopped by US aces Freddie Dawson and Wallace Bud Smith. (They imported no taxi drivers in those days).

A pro from age 16, Dittmar defeated quality Aussies, Mickey Tollis, Don Bronco Johnson, Bobby Greville, Ern Jarvis and Owen Moase.

He fought above his weight for beatings by O&rsuoq;Neill Bell and Dave Sands.

---Rest In Peace, Bernie Hall and Len Dittmar ---