Memorable fights by our boxers overseas

Fred Henneberry fought in front of 90,000 in London on the undercard of a Commonwealth light heavyweight title fight between British legends Jock McAvoy and Len Harvey.

 

As you probably know that was the second time Dave Sands met Olson. Having previously beaten him in Sydney. Olson was perhaps Dave's biggest career scalp and when Olsen later won the world title from Randy Turpin, after Dave had been tragically killed, he commented it should have been Dave Sands' world title.

 

Jimmy Carruthers' world title defense against Chamroen Songkitrat in Thailand in front of almost 70,000 in pouring monsoonal rain. The only title fight in history fought where both men were bare foot.

 

Yep. I have no doubt Sands would have been world champ had he not tragically been killed in that crash.

 

Dave Smith beat hall of fame light heavyweight Battling Levinsky (newspaper decision) in 1912 in Philadelphia.

 

Bill Lang lost via disqualification against the great Sam Langford in London in 1911.

 

Tommy Uren beat Jimmy Clabby, who fought Les Darcy on a number of occasions, in New Zealand for the Australasian middleweight title back in 1920.

 

I hope Im not going too crazy here but there are so many greats from our past that have been forgotten by most.

George Mendies was Australian flyweight champion when he traveled to the Philippines to fight the legendary Pancho Villa in 1921. Unfortunately he was knocked out in the third round.

 

I have seen pictures of that fight. I guess with such a big crowd they thought the show must go on.

 

Jimmy's world title fight against South African Vic Toweel in Johannesburg is one of the most stunning wins ever in a major fight, let alone a world title fight.

Jimmy jumped Toweel from the opening bell and the fight only lasted about a minute and a half. Stats show Jimmy threw over 100 punches and Toweel virtually none.

 

A view shared by most I think. Dave Sands may well have gone on to have been our greatest ever. Then again, the same might be said of Les Darcy.

 

Its not a good idea to **** off 70,000 people haha. Probably a good idea they went ahead with it!

 

They share quite a few parallels! Such a shame.

 

Toweel was a notoriously slow starter and Carruthers knew this, he had the perfect game plan and ability to pull it off. The rematch was closer but Jimmy was too good for Vic again.

Would have been interesting had he not retired so early to see what he could have achieved during that time he was inactive.

 

For a country of small population we have been particularly unlucky that two young men who could have perhaps gone on to be our greatest ever were taken so young.