Piet van der Veer | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Piet van der Veer in 1921 | |
| Born | (1896-10-20)20 October 1896 |
| Died | 3 December 1948(1948-12-03) (aged 52) Rotterdam, Netherlands |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | heavyweight |
| Height | 191 cm (6 ft 3 in) |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 55 |
| Wins | 34 |
| Losses | 12 |
| Draws | 7 |
Piet van der Veer (20 October 1896 — 3 December 1948) was a Dutchboxer fromRotterdam. He competed in the heavyweight category. He competed at international competitions and fought between 1918 and 1930. In 1962 he was described as the best Dutch heavyweight boxer ever.[1] It has been stated that Van der Veer had feelings of inferiority and that was he was mentally unable during matches to get everything out of himself.[2][1]
Van der Veer made his debut on 23 November 1918 inRotterdam against A. Lamberts and won (KO). During his career he had 55 fights, winning 34 of them (12 losses, 7 draws).[3] Van der Veer was a strong person, and was strong enough to lift ahorse and turn the horse around.[1] Van der Veer became for the first time national champion in 1920 and became many times champion until 1926.[1] He had good fights in international matches and got a lot of attention. Van der Veer was even invited to come to theUnited States, but didn't go.[1] Van der Veer had learned a lot of boxerBattling Siki during his stay in the Netherlands.[2] Van der Veen fought twice against European ChampionErminio Spalla but lost both times on points after 20 rounds of 3 minutes.[2] The defeat had a negative impact on his career. He started training less and his fears increased. During a fight in 1926 againstRiccardo Bertazzolo, his heart started to hurt and was stopped by the doctor from fighting. After the fight against BelgianPierre Charles in July 1930 he deciced to retire from boxing.[2]
Van der Veen worked as ablacksmith at abrewery in Rotterdam.[1] In his last years he struggled with health problems. He died on 3 December 1948 in Rotterdam at the age of 52.[2]
