Les Darcy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Les Darcy | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | James Leslie Darcy |
| Nickname(s) | The Maitland Wonder |
| Rated at | Middleweight |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Reach | 71 in (180 cm) |
| Nationality |  Australian |
| Born | October 31, 1895 Stradbroke, near Woodville, New South Wales |
| Died | May 24, 1917 (aged 21) Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 56 |
| Wins | 52 |
| Wins by KO | 32 |
| Losses | 4 |
| Draws | 0 |
| No contests | 0 |
James Leslie ("Les") Darcy (31 October 1895 – 24 May 1917) was an Australian boxer. He was a middleweight, but held the Australian Heavyweight Championship title at the same time.
Born near Maitland, New South Wales, Les Darcy is widely considered to be the best boxer ever to come from Australia. Regarded as one of the greatest middleweights of all-time, Darcy proved his mettle in his native Australia. He started boxing as an amateur at age fifteen and quickly turned professional. He won his first sixteen fights before challenging the veteran Bob Whitelaw for the Australian welterweight title. Darcy lost the twenty-round decision but, in a rematch, knocked Whitelaw out in five rounds.
Darcy graduated from regional bouts to fighting in Sydney Stadium, in Rushcutters Bay, and promoters began to import talent to challenge him. He lost his first two fights in Sydney, one by decision and one by foul, to America's Fritz Holland. The next year Darcy faced another American, Jeff Smith, in what was considered a contest for the Australian world middleweight title. When Darcy complained of a low blow at the end of the fifth round, the referee believed that Darcy did not want to continue and awarded the decision to Smith. In a rematch, Darcy was awarded the victory when Smith punched him in the groin.
As Australian world middleweight champ, Darcy defeated such top-flight visiting Americans as Eddie McGoorty, Billy Murray, Jimmy Clabby, George Chip, George "KO" Brown, and Buck Crouse, as well as knocking out Smith and Holland in rematches.Darcy's opponents are said to have admired his courage, stamina, and punching power. In 1916, Darcy KO'd Harold Hardwick to capture the Australian heavyweight title.
Les had the misfortune to become embroiled in the politics of conscription during the First World War, and left Australia for The United States to avoid the aggravation. There he collapsed on 27 April. He was admitted to hospital with septicaemia and endocarditis; his tonsils were removed but he developed pneumonia and died on 24 May.
After his death, his embalmed body was returned to Australia where an estimated half-million people paid their respects. Darcy was inducted into The World Boxing Hall of Fame in October 1998 and also the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003. Les Darcy is widely considered to be the best boxer ever from Australia.[citation needed]
Contents |
[edit] Professional boxing record
| 52 Wins (32 knockouts, 19 decisions, 1 disqualification), 4 Losses, 0 Draws[1] | ||||||||
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Type | Rd. | Date | Location | Notes | |
| Win | 52-4 |  George Chip |
KO | 9 (20) | 1916-09-30 | Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales | For world middleweight title (Australian version) | |
| Win | 51-4 | Jimmy Clabby |
Decision | 20 (20) | 1916-09-09 | Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales | For world middleweight title (Australian version) | |
| Win | 50-4 | Dave Smith |
TKO | 11 (20) | 1916-08-16 | Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane, Queensland | For Australian heavyweight title | |
| Win | 49-4 | Dave Smith |
KO | 12 (20) | 1916-06-24 | Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales | For Australian heavyweight title | |
| Win | 48-4 | Buck Crouse |
KO | 2 (20) | 1916-05-29 | Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales | ||
| Win | 47-4 |  Alex Costica |
TKO | 4 (20) | 1916-05-13 | Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales | For world middleweight title (Australian version) Fight stopped by police inspector after Costica had been badly beaten |
|
| Win | 46-4 | George "K.O." Brown |
Decision | 20 (20) | 1916-04-08 | Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales | ||
| Win | 45-4 | Les O'Donnell |
TKO | 7 (20) | 1916-03-25 | Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales | For Australian heavyweight title | |
| Win | 44-4 | Harold Hardwick |
TKO | 7 (20) | 1916-02-19 | Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales | For Australian heavyweight title | |
| Win | 43-4 | George "K.O." Brown |
Decision | 20 (20) | 1916-01-15 | Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales | ||
| Win | 42-4 | Eddie McGoorty |
TKO | 8 (20) | 1915-12-27 | Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales | For world middleweight title (Australian version) | |
| Win | 41-4 | Billy Murray |
TKO | 6 (20) | 1915-11-01 | West Melbourne Stadium, West Melbourne, Victoria | ||
| Win | 40-4 | Jimmy Clabby |
Decision | 20 (20) | 1915-10-23 | Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales | For world middleweight title (Australian version) | |
| Win | 39-4 |  Fred Dyer |
TKO | 6 (20) | 1915-10-09 | Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales | For world middleweight title (Australian version) | |
| Win | 38-4 | Billy Murray |
Decision | 20 (20) | 1915-09-04 | Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales | For world middleweight title (Australian version) | |
| Win | 37-4 | Eddie McGoorty |
TKO | 15 (20) | 1915-07-31 | Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales | For world middleweight title (Australian version) | |
| Win | 36-4 | Mick King |
TKO | 10 (20) | 1915-06-12 | Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales | For world middleweight title (Australian version) | |
| Win | 35-4 | Jeff Smith |
DQ | 2 (20) | 1915-05-22 | Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales | For world middleweight title (Australian version) | |
| Win | 34-4 | Fritz Holland |
TKO | 13 (20) | 1915-05-01 | West Melbourne Stadium, West Melbourne, Victoria | ||
| Win | 33-4 |  Henri Demlen |
TKO | 5 (20) | 1915-04-03 | Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales | ||
| Win | 32-4 | Fritz Holland |
Decision | 20 (20) | 1915-03-13 | Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales | ||
| Win | 31-4 | Frank Loughrey |
Decision | 20 (20) | 1915-03-13 | Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales | ||
| Loss | 30-4 | Jeff Smith |
DQ | 5 (20 | 1915-01-23 | Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales | For world middleweight title (Australian version) | |
| Win | 30-3 | Fred Dyer |
Decision | 20 (20) | 1914-12-26 | Baker's Stadium, Brisbane, Queensland | ||
| Win | 29-3 | Gus Christie |
Decision | 20 (20) | 1914-11-07 | Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales | ||
| Win | 28-3 |  Victor "K.O." Marchand |
KO | 5 (20) | 1914-10-05 | Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales | ||
| Loss | 27-3 | Fritz Holland |
DQ | 18 (20) | 1914-09-12 | Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales | ||
| Loss | 27-2 | Fritz Holland |
Decision | 20 (20) | 1914-07-18 | Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales | ||
| Win | 27-1 | Billy McNabb |
TKO | 4 (20) | 1914-04-23 | Andrews Ascot Stadium, West Maitland, New South Wales[2] | ||
| Win | 26-1 | Bob Whitelaw |
KO | 5 (20) | 1914-03-21 | Andrews Ascot Stadium, West Maitland, New South Wales | ||
| Win | 25-1 | Young Hanley |
TKO | 5 (20) | 1914-01-30 | Olympia A.C., Newtown, New South Wales | ||
| Win | 24-1 |  Jack Clarke |
TKO | 9 (20) | 1914-01-05 | Olympia A.C., Newtown, New South Wales | ||
| Loss | 23-1 | Bob Whitelaw |
Decision | 20 (20) | 1913-11-03 | Victoria Theatre, Newcastle, New South Wales | For Australian welterweight title | |
| Win | 23-0 | Billy McNabb |
Decision | 20 (20) | 1913-10-25 | Andrews Ascot Stadium, West Maitland, New South Wales | ||
| Win | 22-0 | Joe Shakespeare |
TKO | 7 (20) | 1913-09-27 | Andrews Ascot Stadium, West Maitland, New South Wales | ||
| Win | 21-0 | Reg Regio Delaney |
TKO | 8 (20) | 1913-07-19 | Andrews Ascot Stadium, West Maitland, New South Wales | ||
| Win | 20-0 | Billy Hannan |
TKO | 18 (20) | 1913-03-15 | Andrews Ascot Stadium, West Maitland, New South Wales | Police intervened | |
| Win | 19-0 | Jim Burns |
KO | 11 (20) | 1912-12-14 | Adelphi Hall, West Maitland, New South Wales[3] | ||
| Win | 18-0 | Dave Depena |
TKO | 9 (20) | 1912-11-04 | Summer Park, Newcastle, New South Wales[4] | ||
| Win | 17-0 | Peter Barnes |
TKO | 9 (10) | 1912-09-28 | Summer Park, Newcastle, New South Wales | Final, 10-stone competition | |
| Win | 16-0 | Peter Devon[5] |
TKO | 6 (8) | 1912-09-21 | Summer Park, Newcastle, New South Wales | Semi-final, 10-stone competition | |
| Win | 15-0 | Harry Richards |
Decision | 8 (8) | 1912-09-14 | Summer Park, Newcastle, New South Wales | ||
| Win | 14-0 | Jim Burns |
Decision | 6 (6) | 1912-08-24 | Summer Park, Newcastle, New South Wales | ||
| Win | 13-0 | Tom Page |
Decision | 10 (10) | 1912-05-04 | Summer Park, Newcastle, New South Wales | Summer Park tournament, 10 stone division, final | |
| Win | 12-0 | Harry Emery |
Decision | 8 (8) | 1912-04-27 | Summer Park, Newcastle, New South Wales | Summer Park tournament, 10 stone division, semi-final | |
| Win | 11-0 | Tom Rhymer[6] |
TKO | 6 (8) | 1912-04-06 | Summer Park, Newcastle, New South Wales | Summer Park tournament, 10 stone division, round two | |
| Win | 10-0 | Roger Fairbairn |
TKO | 4 (6) | 1912-03-30 | Summer Park, Newcastle, New South Wales | Summer Park tournament, 10 stone division, round one | |
| Win | 9-0 | Harry Ford[7] |
KO | (11) 10 | 1912-02 | Summer Park, Newcastle, New South Wales | ||
| Win | 8-0 | Peter Cook[7] |
KO | (10) 10 | 1912-02 | Summer Park, Newcastle, New South Wales | ||
| Win | 7-0 | Harry Emery[7] |
KO | 6 (10) | 1912-01-10 | Summer Park, Newcastle, New South Wales | ||
| Win | 6-0 | Les Althorne[7] |
KO | 3 (4) | 1911-09-12 | West Maitland Agricultural Show, Maitland Showground, Maitland, New South Wales | ||
| Win | 5-0 | Sam Norman[8] |
Decision | (4) (4) | 1911-09-12 | West Maitland Agricultural Show, Maitland Showground, Maitland, New South Wales | ||
| Win | 4-0 | Sid Pascoe[7] |
KO | 2 (10) | 1911-08-08[9] | Andrews Ascot Stadium, West Maitland, New South Wales | ||
| Win | 3-0 | Tom Donohue[10] |
Decision | 4 (4) | 1911-07-26 | West Maitland Town Hall, West Maitland, New South Wales[11] | ||
| Win | 2-0 | Young Texas[10] |
Decision | 4 (4) | 1911-04-07[12] | West Maitland Town Hall, West Maitland, New South Wales | ||
| Win | 1-0 | George 'Governor' Balser |
Decision | 11 (10) | 12-1910 | Thornton, New South Wales | ||
[edit] Notes
- ^ Table information is compiled from "Les Darcy - Boxer"; Maitland Tourism, p. 1; Park and Champion, pp. 354-355; and Power, p. 159. Any conflicting data is footnoted.
- ^ Andrews Ascot Stadium, also known simply as Andrews' Stadium, was an open-air arena in Abbott Street, West Maitland, behind the Currency Lass Hotel. It measured 75 feet (23 m) by 90 feet (27 m), and held about 1000 people (Power, p. 132). Billy Hannan, one of Darcy's opponents, describes it as a 'ponced-up dump' (Park and Champion, p. 30) 32°44′24.42″S 151°33′44.38″E / 32.7401167°S 151.5623278°E.
- ^ Now defunct; current address 196 High Street, Maitland. 32°44′23.76″S 151°33′49.22″E / 32.7399333°S 151.5636722°E
- ^ Summer Park Stadium was built in in 1905 and was originally known as Rowes Running Track, later as Newcastle Athletic Pavilion (Power, p.151). It was located 'directly opposite Honeysuckle Station, Hunter St West, Newcastle, where the present Waterboard Offices now stand' (Power, p.111) 32°55′38.97″S 151°45′54.55″E / 32.9274917°S 151.7651528°E
- ^ Also listed as 'Hugh Devon' (Power, p. 125
- ^ Alternatively spelled as 'Rymer' (Power, p.159; Maitland Tourism, p.1.
- ^ a b c d e Carr, Matt (11 February, 2010). "Extra bouts win for Darcy grave plan" (in English). Newcastle Herald (Newcastle: Fairfax Media): pp. 11. http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac;jsessionid=DDBAD9BC66576E0727BAF945A5FC3349?sy=afr&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=1month&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=brs&cls=753&clsPage=1&docID=NCH1002116E5ET505O06. Retrieved 17 February, 2012.
- ^ Swanwick, p.30
- ^ Popling, J. V. (20 December, 1946). "Boxing Recollections" (in English). Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton, Queensland): pp. 12. http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/56411642?searchTerm=%22les%20darcy%22%20pascoe&searchLimits=l-textSearchScope=*ignore*%7C*ignore*. Retrieved 17 February, 2012.
- ^ a b Leo James Lonergan fought Darcy twice, first under the name of 'Young Texas' in April 1911, then under the name of 'Tom Donohue' (listed as 'Dan Donohue' in Power, p. 159) in July 1911. Darcy fought the April bout under the name of 'Pat Donohue', and the July bout under his real name (Park and Champion, p. 31).
- ^ Park and Champion, p. 31.
- ^ This match was a preliminary to the fourth match-up between Peter Cook and Billy Hannan (Park and Champion, p. 159), which, according to BoxRec, was held on 7 April, 1911.
[edit] References
- "Les Darcy - Boxer". BoxRec.com. http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=39979&cat=boxer.
- Maitland Tourism (2008). Les Darcy: The Legend: 1895-1917. [Brochure]. Maitland, New South Wales: Maitland Tourism & Maitland City Council.
- Swanwick, Raymond (1965). Les Darcy, Australia's golden boy of boxing. Sydney: U. Smith.
- Park, Ruth; Champion, Rafe (1995). Home before dark. Ringwood, Victoria: Viking. ISBN 0670857394.
- Power, Bob (1976). Fighters of the North: A saga of early battling days on the Northern fistic front. Newcastle, New South Wales: Bob Power [self-published].
[edit] Reference sources
Pictures held and digitised as part of the Arnold Thomas boxing collection by the National Library of Australia
- James Lesley Darcy
- James Lesley Darcy
- Les Darcy giving demonstration of punches with his tutor Dave Smith
[edit] Further reading
- The Ballad of Les Darcy, by Peter Fitzsimons
- Les Darcy, by Peter Fenton
- Home Before Dark, by Ruth Park and Rafe Champion
- The Les Darcy American Venture, by Bob Power
