Main content

Harry Haft's unspeakable fight

Harry Haft survived more than 70 death matches inside Nazi concentration camps and went on to US boxing rings. His son reveals the deeper cost of survival.

Harry Haft was forced to fight in more than 70 death matches inside Nazi concentration camps - not against soldiers but against other prisoners.
After the war, Harry carried that violence into America’s boxing rings, facing some of the era’s top fighters.
Through the eyes of his son Alan, this documentary reveals the deeper cost of survival: a legacy shaped by trauma, rage, and the loss of faith that followed him long after the fighting ended.

(Photo: An old black and white photo of a young Harry Haft, wearing shorts and boxing gloves. His hands are held up to the chest as he looks into the camera. Credit: Alan Haft)

Presenter: Jake Warren
Producer: Robyn Simon
Editor: Lizzy Andrews
A Message Heard production for BBC World Service

Available now

27 minutes

Last on

Sunday 17:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Friday 03:32GMT
  • Friday 12:32GMT
  • Friday 17:32GMT
  • Friday 21:32GMT
  • Friday 22:32GMT
  • Saturday 10:32GMT
  • Sunday 15:32GMT
  • Sunday 17:32GMT

Podcast