Tan Teng Kee


Tan Teng Kee or Battling Key was a professional boxer from Singapore and former two time Malayan Lightweight Champion.

Professional career

Tan Teng Kee debuted in 1922, winning the Malayan Lightweight Championship in his eighth fight. He lost to fellow veteran boxer Young Pelky in 1923 in front of an audience of 6000 people, earning the respect of ringside observers. He would go on to lose his title to Eddie Grady in 1924, regaining it later in 1925 against Vincent Pereira.
On March 20, 1935 he died due to injuries suffered in his fight with Jimmy Nelson. This was ruled as an accidental death and was reported as one of the first boxing fatalities outside Singapore by The Straits Times. His funeral took place at the Roman Catholic cemetery and was attended by numerous amateur boxers.
His final record was 30 wins, 27 defeats and 4 draws.