Les Darcy.

[JOSEY WALES]

The other day lads i was loaned a copy of an old ( November 59 ) Boxing Illustrated Mag and inside was a fantastic article on one of Australia's greatest ever boxers ,,Les Darcy . The article was entitled "Don't say Darcy died of a broken heart " the said article was written by a bloke named Johnny Brannigan , has anyone ever read this article before? .

[flamengo]

The other day lads i was loaned a copy of an old ( November 59 ) Boxing Illustrated Mag and inside was a fantastic article on one of Australia's greatest ever boxers ,,Les Darcy . The article was entitled "Don't say Darcy died of a broken heart " the said article was written by a bloke named Johnny Brannigan , has anyone ever read this article before? .

Love a copy of it Josey..

[LeonMcS]

Yep, Flamengo, the day it was issued.

[JOSEY WALES]

Love a copy of it Josey..

It belongs to a mate of my late Grandad whowas locked up with him ( Second world war Jap POW's mate) i have been loaned about 30 Boxing Ill and Ring mag's from the 40's to late 50's , when he dies i get them or so he says when i lash him up with enough grog lol , If the old bastard does it yours Flamer .

[JOSEY WALES]

yep, flamengo, the day it was issued.

lmao .

[flamengo]

It belongs to a mate of my late Grandad whowas locked up with him ( Second world war Jap POW's mate) i have been loaned about 30 Boxing Ill and Ring mag's from the 40's to late 50's , when he dies i get them or so he says when i lash him up with enough grog lol , If the old bastard does it yours Flamer .

I am willing to lend you one of my .44's... Its our secret.

[JOSEY WALES]

I am willing to lend you one of my .44's... Its our secret.

Mate no need he's 89 years old now "The Mynachdy Express" i call him, he's in the ale house everyday ..I shout to him , "won't be long now" his reply ? well its a family site so i won't go there.... :lol:

[Rise Above]

I am willing to lend you one of my .44's... Its our secret.


:lol::lol:

But seriously Josey, any way we can get a copy ?

[JOSEY WALES]

:lol::lol:

But seriously Josey, any way we can get a copy ?

I could PhotoCopy it and send it to Tony to pass around or failing that i could ask my daughter to type it out and paste it here but i gotta leave to get back down to West Wales for Work in about 30 mins and She ain't here either . i will try and sort something out Sat morning when i get an hour or so ....:good

[JOSEY WALES]

Or you could try Ebay etc to obtain a copy for yourselves as i'm sure you would prefer that ie to actually own a copy of it , Its in The November 1959 issue of Boxing Illustrated and has a picture of Yvon Durelle getting his v Archie Moore ( Round 3 ) on the front cover.And for good measure it has four Photos of Darcy in .

[Rise Above]

If you can mate it would be much appreciated.

[JOSEY WALES]

If you can mate it would be much appreciated.

No Probs mate i just wish i had copies of it to pass around to you blokes , Darcy looked a fantastic young fighter , apparentley in this article he absoulutley ruined the next HEAVYWEIGHT champ of the world in sparring ...:yikes

[Rise Above]

I just always wonder how good he could have been. I mean hes rated so highly and he died at the age of 21.

[JOSEY WALES]

I just always wonder how good he could have been. I mean hes rated so highly and he died at the age of 21.

Mate probably one of the greatest ever old time fighters had he lived , same as Villa both died a similar tragic death through the same cause .

Ps Have you ever read a book entitled "Black Ajax" by George MacDonald Fraser ? based roughly Pre Tom Cribb v Tom Molineaux 1&2 ,lol or am i a bit weird like Ash suggests ? :lol:

[Rise Above]

I havent read the book but have read about the Molineaux Cribb fights.

[JOSEY WALES]

I havent read the book but have read about the Molineaux Cribb fights.

Brilliant brace of fights by all reports , that really was the first golden era of the sport we know and love today . Molineaux was robbed in the first fight apparently but did lose the second fairly . sad end for Molineaux though .:-(

[JOSEY WALES]

Like i said i gotta run now lads , i will try and get the Darcy article up here on Sat afternoon so you have a decent Sunday Morning read .

[JOSEY WALES]

The scene could have come straight out of a Cecil B. De-Mille epic. As far as the eye could see the plains of Australia, parched and wavering in the sun, stretched like an explosive yellow rug. Wallabys and kangaroos hopped, curious, around the lip of the deep granite quarry, and a ring of naked bush-men peering into the white cauldron that served as a natural amphitheatre.
Around the bottom and sides of the quarry sat several hundred people. Miners, hunters, ranchers. They were a tough crowd. Some of them had come for miles to see the fights, held weekly in the quarry near Maitland, New South Wales. They insisted on getting their money's worth.
They got it that day in 1912. For one of the bouts was between a rugged middleweight from the Maitland mining district and a handsome 150 pound youth named James Leslie Darcy. It was Darcy's first professional fight, after he had made a shambles of the Australian amateur ranks. He was spotting his burly opponent fifteen pounds. His rep*utation was good; however, the rough crowd knew he was only an amateur—they expected to see a legal slaughter.
And that's exactly what they saw. But not quite as they had anticipated.
In the first round, young Darcy put on as pretty a boxing exhibition as ever seen in Australia, which is quite a mouthful when you consider that Australia produced Bob Fitzsimmons, Frank Slavin, Young Griffo and Peter Jackson. "He's a good upstanding young ?un," the crowd agreed, "but wait till the'other'n gets his measure—he'll be crocodile bait!"
Round two came up. The ring-wise miner sprang forward and around his intended victim so that the sun was in Dairy's eyes. Obviously he planned to knock the kid out at once. It was the kind of fight that went best with this blood-thirsty crowd. Suddenly, something seemed to explode in the ring. With a great roar the throng came to its feet as if one unit. For Les Darcy had catapulted forward as though stung by a tarantula, arms flailing and legs pumping like pistons, driving his man back against the ropes. A dozen punches landed on the surprised fighter's face and head. He was unconscious at the third or fourth, but each succeeding punch pinned him onto the ropes so that he could not fall. Finally the referee saved him—probably saved his life—and pushed the maddened Darcy to his own corner. He didn't even bother counting over the fallen man; he just called for his seconds to come forward and carry him away.
Thus began the ring career of Les Darcy, who was just sixteen years old at the time.
Six years later—a short span in any man's life, short even in the career of a fighter—Darcy had won 92 of 96 bouts (53 by knockout); fought and beaten Australia's best middleweights, light heavyweights and heavyweights; beaten the top-flight Americans who dared go to Australia to fight him; built a world-wide reputation without leaving his native soil; responded finally to countless offers by sailing for America; ruined a leading American heavyweight in an exhibition. And at the end of those six packed years Les Darcy was dead.
But he did not die of a broken heart! Not Les Darcy. And it's time the lie was given the dozen of writers who have capitalized on a sympathetic character and done him a rash injustice. "When he left his own country," the stories say,

More to follow soon lads .

[flamengo]

Love it Josey... I was amazed Darcy had such an extensive career... JohnJourno must have covered the story.. lol.. Very incorrect record being suggested, fkn nicely written stuff none the less.

Reading about the tales/interpretation of his self exile to the USA and 'slacker' labelling will give an interesting bit of colour.. Hearing any tale about Darcy is worth the while.

[JOSEY WALES]

Love it Josey... I was amazed Darcy had such an extensive career... JohnJourno must have covered the story.. lol.. Very incorrect record being suggested, fkn nicely written stuff none the less.

Reading about the tales/interpretation of his self exile to the USA and 'slacker' labelling will give an interesting bit of colour.. Hearing any tale about Darcy is worth the while.

Having more trouble posting the next installment , The way Homer here is going about things this may turn into a weekly serial sorry lads :patsch

[Hmmm]

Just scan it using a PC scanner and run OCR over it. Should save a lot of time and work. Then just copy and paste it here. Microsoft Word has OCR. heres ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) how to do it...

[DaSweetScience]

Mate probably one of the greatest ever old time fighters had he lived , same as Villa both died a similar tragic death through the same cause .

Ps Have you ever read a book entitled "Black Ajax" by George MacDonald Fraser ? based roughly Pre Tom Cribb v Tom Molineaux 1&2 ,lol or am i a bit weird like Ash suggests ? :lol:

Not weird at all Josey. It is a magnificent book, some of the finest and funniest fight writing ever from the view of many different people at the fight.

McDonald Fraser has to be one of the best historical novelists ever.

[sallywinder]

No Probs mate i just wish i had copies of it to pass around to you blokes , Darcy looked a fantastic young fighter , apparentley in this article he absoulutley ruined the next HEAVYWEIGHT champ of the world in sparring ...:yikes

fred fulton.

fred carried on like les was lucky to be in the same presence as fulton.....treated darcy with contempt. les mighta got a little angry?

[JOSEY WALES]

Just scan it using a PC scanner and run OCR over it. Should save a lot of time and work. Then just copy and paste it here. Microsoft Word has OCR. heres ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) how to do it...

Thanks mate i will wait until my daughter comes over today and she can educate me futher lol :good

[JOSEY WALES]

Not weird at all Josey. It is a magnificent book, some of the finest and funniest fight writing ever from the view of many different people at the fight.

McDonald Fraser has to be one of the best historical novelists ever.

Yes magnificent would indeed be a word to describe it mate , and yes Fraser does gather a fantastic amount of eye witnesess accounts together .

Sall , You're a cunt but ..Thanks :good

[sallywinder]

Yes magnificent would indeed be a word to describe it mate , and yes Fraser does gather a fantastic amount of eye witnesess accounts together .

Sall , You're a cunt but ..Thanks :good


youre no outlaw....and i seen josey wales....so careful who you call a cunt you limp white dribble, or you may get a 'sallywinder boat ride..!"

and ive forgetten more about darcy than you will ever know, so have some brittish respect for your colonial better.....

[JOSEY WALES]

youre no outlaw....and i seen josey wales....so careful who you call a cunt you limp white dribble, or you may get a 'sallywinder boat ride..!"

and ive forgetten more about darcy than you will ever know, so have some brittish respect for your colonial better.....

Its comment's like this that has determine my opinion of you , All aboard.:good

[JOSEY WALES]

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[JOSEY WALES]

Its a bit jumbled but its the best i can do what with my serious lack of computer skill's , Mental note :( Visit Neon Leon when in PERF ) lol

[Rodin]

There's a little tip about duplicating these articles.
There are programs that converts articles into word by speech.

"Dragon speak" is one of them.
You install the software, then it gives you a "familiarization" essay to read into you microphone.
Once done, you can then read the article out loud & the computer prints as you read.
All you have to do then is skim through it & edit.
It's pretty much 90% accurate but it may misinterpret some words, hence the reason for editing.

[LeonMcS]

Sounds great, but if the speaker is of Welsh origin it'd probably be more like 90% inaccuracy.

[flamengo]

There's a little tip about duplicating these articles.
There are programs that converts articles into word by speech.

"Dragon speak" is one of them.
You install the software, then it gives you a "familiarization" essay to read into you microphone.
Once done, you can then read the article out loud & the computer prints as you read.
All you have to do then is skim through it & edit.
It's pretty much 90% accurate but it may misinterpret some words, hence the reason for editing.

Incredible... all words are just throne into the PC.

[JOSEY WALES]

Thanks Rodin , Come on lads this thread was mean't to be used as an escape from the usual "Plastic boxer debate" Who were the best Australian fighters of all time IN YOUR OPINION ? i admit my knowledge from what i've seen of Aussie fighters is limited but the time is right for an Epic "who was the best ever Aussie fighter thread" . personally i used to enjoy watching Harding ( Yes in the days when quality boxing was put on normal Brit tv ,and what a tough fucker he was) ,he fought Andries what three times ? and The Body snatcher WTF living at that level he has to be up there with the very best , speaking of McCallum my mate was going great guns in the Commonwealth championships ( Up until the Semi final) until he ran into him when Mike was repping Jamacia in 76 ( I think ) so come on lads don't be shy , WHO WAS THE BEST EVER DOWN UNDER ?

[flamengo]

Started reading the article Josey, and stopped as soon as Doc Kearns was mentioned as having handled Darcy's affairs in America.. incorrect. Kearns was no better than an infected welt on the scrotum towards Darcy right through his time in the USA. Kearns, as did E.T O'Sullivan, claimed to have a contract signed by Darcy.. fabricated nonsense from both parties. Kearns actually claimed to have a contract as far back as 1915 whilst in Oz with hopes of enticing Darcy to the USA. At that time, Darcy was under the contracts of Stadiums Ltd.


Leon, any chance you could download the articles and email them to me???

[flamengo]

I'll happily write a story on Darcy if you like Josey?? Well, attempt to anyway.. lol.

[JOSEY WALES]

I'll happily write a story on Darcy if you like Josey?? Well, attempt to anyway.. lol.

I would look for ward to your take on things mate its obvious you have taken time out to study the bloke , besides fighters from any era shouldn't be forgotten and the more people read of them the longer the ledgend lives .

[DownUnderBoxing]

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[Rise Above]

[Only registered and activated users can see links]


Here is some info for those who would like to visit Darcy's grave and statue.

[JOSEY WALES]

Thanks for the link's lads .

[gregluland]

:hatI'll happily write a story on Darcy if you like Josey?? Well, attempt to anyway.. lol.

[Only registered and activated users can see links] Please write a book on Darcy, 'cause I'll read anything on him, but concentrate on the boxing side of it, Snowy Baker had a lot to answer for after his smear campaign on the Maitland Wonder, by the way Snowy never did join the Army did he.[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[fistsof steel]

Great stuff,You done it again Josey.!!!

[Rodin]

Look you'll have to forgive me if I'm repeating this, but when it comes to Darcy, as an old ocker, I love reading his stuff.
I also hope that old stories & experiences are at least told, even if they are forgotten.

When the fights were on radio we were allowed to stay up (Mondays) & listen.
Mum & dad were fight fans.
After the fights were over, they'ld say "Off to bed" We'd say "Tell us about Les"
Dad was only about 14 when Les died, but such was the legend, & the stories, both parents would reflect in reverence.
It wasn't until that fateful day in August 1952, when I was 10 years old, that the mighty Dave Sands met his maker, did I understand the passion this nation had for it's fighters.
We all wanted to be a Darcy/Sands.

I attended the Darcy commemoration, but for the grace of Tony Hood, I may not have known about it & equally, I would not have had the privilege of being inscribed on a plague.
My Son in law & daughter & family lives outside of Maitland & it gives me quiet relief that when I pull the pin, they'll have that plaque & not a grave site to remember me by.
It was something special seeing so many much younger people there.
I wrote the Darcy poem on one of my best days, so it holds a special place for me.
At the risk of repetition.

James Leslie Darcy 1895-1917

And they gathered at his monument, to commemorate his name
A child born in circumstance, that was not akin to fame,
A century on, they've come & gone, but still his mark is made.
From a talent few have equaled, in sportings toughest trade.

Hammering out a living for a family deep in need
The blacksmiths anvil ringing to his power & his speed
The kid was barely in his teens but the word had quickly spread
That he was sending men much senior, back to the losers shed.

They came out from the heartland, the Americans were in town
The Clabby's & McGoorty's, the Chips & “KO” Brown
The toughest came, to sort the boy, that ruled the Aussie shore
But returned to tell their kin folk of this teenage walking war.

In a world engulfed in politics that feeds on human grief
To a poverty stricken family, it's nothing but a thief
Misguided he departed on a dream to change their life
But floundered in a culture, where such dreams were just as rife.

Stricken down with sickness, he'd seen his final dawning
A lonely life had faded & a nation was in mourning.
He may have died on foreign soil, but the Southern Cross he's under
Les Darcy is the legend that we call The Maitland Wonder


Great thread. Cheers

[Bobby Sinn]

That's a great poem Rodin.... almost worth downloading and framing.

[Sydney Smutt]

You must have wonderful decor.....

[Bobby Sinn]

Yeah. Bad idea. lol.

[Rodin]

You must have wonderful decor.....


Fucken haste it up sunshine, Burlap is coming back,,,& a dirt floor don't creak :good

[gregluland]

No Probs mate i just wish i had copies of it to pass around to you blokes , Darcy looked a fantastic young fighter , apparentley in this article he absoulutley ruined the next HEAVYWEIGHT champ of the world in sparring ...:yikes

He was the best and that was Fred Fulton, way too good. He looks even better in the McGoorty film, in fact he was blowing away another great fighter there and looks nigh unbeatable. I used to speak back 28 years ago to some old blokes who saw him, they all said he was the best fighter they'd ever seen.:hi:

[gregluland]

The scene could have come straight out of a Cecil B. De-Mille epic. As far as the eye could see the plains of Australia, parched and wavering in the sun, stretched like an explosive yellow rug. Wallabys and kangaroos hopped, curious, around the lip of the deep granite quarry, and a ring of naked bush-men peering into the white cauldron that served as a natural amphitheatre.
Around the bottom and sides of the quarry sat several hundred people. Miners, hunters, ranchers. They were a tough crowd. Some of them had come for miles to see the fights, held weekly in the quarry near Maitland, New South Wales. They insisted on getting their money's worth.
They got it that day in 1912. For one of the bouts was between a rugged middleweight from the Maitland mining district and a handsome 150 pound youth named James Leslie Darcy. It was Darcy's first professional fight, after he had made a shambles of the Australian amateur ranks. He was spotting his burly opponent fifteen pounds. His rep*utation was good; however, the rough crowd knew he was only an amateur—they expected to see a legal slaughter.
And that's exactly what they saw. But not quite as they had anticipated.
In the first round, young Darcy put on as pretty a boxing exhibition as ever seen in Australia, which is quite a mouthful when you consider that Australia produced Bob Fitzsimmons, Frank Slavin, Young Griffo and Peter Jackson. "He's a good upstanding young ?un," the crowd agreed, "but wait till the'other'n gets his measure—he'll be crocodile bait!"
Round two came up. The ring-wise miner sprang forward and around his intended victim so that the sun was in Dairy's eyes. Obviously he planned to knock the kid out at once. It was the kind of fight that went best with this blood-thirsty crowd. Suddenly, something seemed to explode in the ring. With a great roar the throng came to its feet as if one unit. For Les Darcy had catapulted forward as though stung by a tarantula, arms flailing and legs pumping like pistons, driving his man back against the ropes. A dozen punches landed on the surprised fighter's face and head. He was unconscious at the third or fourth, but each succeeding punch pinned him onto the ropes so that he could not fall. Finally the referee saved him—probably saved his life—and pushed the maddened Darcy to his own corner. He didn't even bother counting over the fallen man; he just called for his seconds to come forward and carry him away.
Thus began the ring career of Les Darcy, who was just sixteen years old at the time.
Six years later—a short span in any man's life, short even in the career of a fighter—Darcy had won 92 of 96 bouts (53 by knockout); fought and beaten Australia's best middleweights, light heavyweights and heavyweights; beaten the top-flight Americans who dared go to Australia to fight him; built a world-wide reputation without leaving his native soil; responded finally to countless offers by sailing for America; ruined a leading American heavyweight in an exhibition. And at the end of those six packed years Les Darcy was dead.
But he did not die of a broken heart! Not Les Darcy. And it's time the lie was given the dozen of writers who have capitalized on a sympathetic character and done him a rash injustice. "When he left his own country," the stories say,

More to follow soon lads .

I am very surprised to read that. To be honest, in all the years reading about him, I've never heard of Les having ANY amateur fights. His very first proper fight was against 'Guv'nor Balsa in a professional contest, Les was 14 and most records have him at 50 fights, 46 wins. At his Grave memorial states 56 fights, 52 wins. I would kove to see the other 40 fights listed somewhere, if Josey can help to elaborate. Maybe the yanks were wrong but it'd be awesome if he did. cheers mate

[JOSEY WALES]

Hello Greg , Thanks for the props in your message and welcome to ESB mate however I would at this point like to point out the article I put up in this thread was something I stumbled across in an old RING mag from the 50's if I recall correctly and I am by no means an expert on the GREAT man but there are quiet a few here on thus board who can help you out I've no doubt . All the best and like I said , Welcome to ESB .

[COULDHAVEBEEN]

Got the Peter Fitzsimmons book on Les Darcy here somewhere and will have a look at what Fitzsimmons says about Darcy's early career, and in particular amateur fights.

...but do you reckon I can find the book at the moment - bugger!

[Bugger]

I am very surprised to read that. To be honest, in all the years reading about him, I've never heard of Les having ANY amateur fights. His very first proper fight was against 'Guv'nor Balsa in a professional contest, Les was 14 and most records have him at 50 fights, 46 wins. At his Grave memorial states 56 fights, 52 wins. I would kove to see the other 40 fights listed somewhere, if Josey can help to elaborate. Maybe the yanks were wrong but it'd be awesome if he did. cheers mate


Yeah i noticed that too, never heard of any amateur bouts before.

Thanks for the article Josey, it was a great read.

Darcy was the greatest we produced. I'm not actually sure if his name is remembered as well as it once was. I have always been a believer that his story should be taught in primary school, no kid should grow up in Australia not knowing about the man Les Darcy.

[COULDHAVEBEEN]

Yeah i noticed that too, never heard of any amateur bouts before.

Thanks for the article Josey, it was a great read.

Darcy was the greatest we produced. I'm not actually sure if his name is remembered as well as it once was. I have always been a believer that his story should be taught in primary school, no kid should grow up in Australia not knowing about the man Les Darcy.


Crikies Bugger, I curse with the word 'bugger' in a post above and there you are mate - what a segue!

Found my Fitzsimmons' book - 'The Ballad of Les Darcy' - had a quick scan through and can't see any metion of amateur fights for Les.

The first fight Fitz seems to refer to is the Balzer fight, which really sounds nothing more than a fight between a 21 year old worker and a 15 year old fellow worker.

[Bugger]

Crikies Bugger, I curse with the word 'bugger' in a post above and there you are mate - what a segue!

Found my Fitzsimmons' book - 'The Ballad of Les Darcy' - had a quick scan through and can't see any metion of amateur fights for Les.

The first fight Fitz seems to refer to is the Balzer fight, which really sounds nothing more than a fight between a 21 year old worker and a 15 year old fellow worker.

I come when im called apon mate :lol:

How did you find the Fitz book mate? I've been meaning to give it a crack.

[COULDHAVEBEEN]

I come when im called apon mate :lol:

How did you find the Fitz book mate? I've been meaning to give it a crack.


Well researched, well written and worth the read IMO.

[sallywinder]

here is an important historical document...just so we dont lose it...

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[gregluland]

The scene could have come straight out of a Cecil B. De-Mille epic. As far as the eye could see the plains of Australia, parched and wavering in the sun, stretched like an explosive yellow rug. Wallabys and kangaroos hopped, curious, around the lip of the deep granite quarry, and a ring of naked bush-men peering into the white cauldron that served as a natural amphitheatre.
Around the bottom and sides of the quarry sat several hundred people. Miners, hunters, ranchers. They were a tough crowd. Some of them had come for miles to see the fights, held weekly in the quarry near Maitland, New South Wales. They insisted on getting their money's worth.
They got it that day in 1912. For one of the bouts was between a rugged middleweight from the Maitland mining district and a handsome 150 pound youth named James Leslie Darcy. It was Darcy's first professional fight, after he had made a shambles of the Australian amateur ranks. He was spotting his burly opponent fifteen pounds. His rep*utation was good; however, the rough crowd knew he was only an amateur—they expected to see a legal slaughter.
And that's exactly what they saw. But not quite as they had anticipated.
In the first round, young Darcy put on as pretty a boxing exhibition as ever seen in Australia, which is quite a mouthful when you consider that Australia produced Bob Fitzsimmons, Frank Slavin, Young Griffo and Peter Jackson. "He's a good upstanding young ?un," the crowd agreed, "but wait till the'other'n gets his measure—he'll be crocodile bait!"
Round two came up. The ring-wise miner sprang forward and around his intended victim so that the sun was in Dairy's eyes. Obviously he planned to knock the kid out at once. It was the kind of fight that went best with this blood-thirsty crowd. Suddenly, something seemed to explode in the ring. With a great roar the throng came to its feet as if one unit. For Les Darcy had catapulted forward as though stung by a tarantula, arms flailing and legs pumping like pistons, driving his man back against the ropes. A dozen punches landed on the surprised fighter's face and head. He was unconscious at the third or fourth, but each succeeding punch pinned him onto the ropes so that he could not fall. Finally the referee saved him—probably saved his life—and pushed the maddened Darcy to his own corner. He didn't even bother counting over the fallen man; he just called for his seconds to come forward and carry him away.
Thus began the ring career of Les Darcy, who was just sixteen years old at the time.
Six years later—a short span in any man's life, short even in the career of a fighter—Darcy had won 92 of 96 bouts (53 by knockout); fought and beaten Australia's best middleweights, light heavyweights and heavyweights; beaten the top-flight Americans who dared go to Australia to fight him; built a world-wide reputation without leaving his native soil; responded finally to countless offers by sailing for America; ruined a leading American heavyweight in an exhibition. And at the end of those six packed years Les Darcy was dead.
But he did not die of a broken heart! Not Les Darcy. And it's time the lie was given the dozen of writers who have capitalized on a sympathetic character and done him a rash injustice. "When he left his own country," the stories say,

More to follow soon lads .
I remember that article now, I'm sure it was syndicated in some US newspapers. I remember there were many mistakes, like his first pro fight, almost a bantamweight against a LW who was 28 while Darcy was 14, and it was 1910...... also most people know that Les never had even ONE amateur bout, he even got paid for tent fights where he had 3 bouts in 3 days but rightfully they are not counted on his record. Actually I might prefer the 96 wins they give him credit for .... LOL....... wow he would be GOAT with that record, also interesting to see what the Americans 60 years ago thought of LES

[wide_open_road]

Just a note re amatuer fights, no man, or boy back then when times were tough would have fought amateur, unless they were enrolled at some flash private school or university etc, blokes like Darcy would have been to cagey to fight for nicks, it was all about money & trying to get a leg up in pretty depressed times

[gregluland]

I remember that article now, I'm sure it was syndicated in some US newspapers. I remember there were many mistakes, like his first pro fight, almost a bantamweight against a LW who was 28 while Darcy was 14, and it was 1910...... also most people know that Les never had even ONE amateur bout, he even got paid for tent fights where he had 3 bouts in 3 days but rightfully they are not counted on his record. Actually I might prefer the 96 wins they give him credit for .... LOL....... wow he would be GOAT with that record, also interesting to see what the Americans 60 years ago thought of LES
Sorry Josey, I just noticed I said the same thing a few months back, My Bad.