Les Darcy: Boxing greatest tragedy??

A question for boxings purist fans and historians.. Les had his last fight at the age of 20. Through his career, he willingly took on and got the better all comers, Fritz Holland, Gus Christie, Eddie McGoorty, Jimmy Clabby and George Chip.. Jeff Smith is the only man to have troubled young Darcy...albeit via low blows... Les had signed to fight Al McCoy, in America, after arriving there and negotiation for a match with Jess Willard was also in the pipeline... Tragically, Les never engaged in any bouts in America, nothing more than sparring. He was able to destroy Fred Fulton in 2 rounds.. and Fulton believes Darcy would have destroyed Willard... Darcy ws already feeling the effects of his blood poisoning, and succumbed to it in Memphis, 24th April, 1917.. aged 21. In my opinion, the loss of the young man, escaped from us the chance to see one of the greatest middleweights of all time. Who knows what the outcome of a Willard match may have been.... I think his career was well in its infancy, and given the chance to blossom, he will have impacted on the minds of any fight fan with any insight into the game. With a record of 46 wins, 29 kos, 1 foul, 16 on points, against 4 losses, 2 points losses, 1 on foul and 1 via Dsq, he was an outstanding fighter... appropriately, his epitath reads "Being made perfect in short space, he fulfilled a long time"

 

DPW417, thank you for the question, and Coulhavebeen, thanks for the text relating to Dave Sands... Ive been around soooo many great Australian past fighters, who suggest Dave Sands was a classicly timeless fighter, with the style to accomodate himeslf into any particular era. Jack Rennie remains totally in awe of Sands, Johnny Wheeler, a man I miss greatly, considers Dave to have been well and truly on par with any fighter of the era, and he should know. He had several bad nights, as did 'sugar' Ray. I believe he was well in reach of toppling Turpin, who had lost to Olsen over 15 rounds for the MW title the year after Sands` death.. Sands had been the better man on 2 occasions against Olsen over the distance..
Considering he gained victory over Villemain, who was to conquer LaMotta (at the time Mw champ), Sands must be held in the highest esteem, with only his death erasing numerous potential championship fights/defences from the record books.

The information regarding Darcy sparring with Fulton, I will type directly from the Raymond Swanwick biography. Swanwick is perhaps the finest Darcy historian in Oz, and well respected.

"On 12th february 1917, 2 days after Darcy had begun training at Goshen, there was a heavyweight fight at the New York Sporting Club, in which Fulton knocked out Charley Weinert in the second round. Fulton was a giant from Kansas, 6 feet 11 inches tall and 15 stone in weight, who had won 18 of his 27 proffesional fights by knockouts. He was considered the logical challenger to Jess Willard- who was also a giant from Kansas, 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 18 stone- for the Heavyweight championship; but Willard could not be got into the ring to defend his title without very large financial guarantees."
"It occurred to Tex Rickard and Hugh Grant Brown to match Fred Fulton privately against Les Darcy in a training bout, in the pressence of only a few privileged spectators. This would be intended to test the Australians ability to fight a bigger and heavier man."
"The result could have only been a shock to anyone who might have thought that Darcy`s reputation had been overrated. In the first round he boxed with such speed that the slow moving Fulton was peppered with sparring punches and unable to make any effective counter. When the same happened in the second round, Fulton retired from the bout, and refused to continue."

DPW417, Im not sure that Fulton was 6' 11"... I believe he was 6' 5"????? As for Darcy`s physical nature, he was a tremendous specimen, with an 18" neck, not unlike that of Tyson. Its the most fascinating story mate, encompassing everything that makes a tragic tale. Stay tuned mate, as I will post a nice piece on you tube in the not too distant. Cheers.

 

He Grant, perhaps the most amazing photo of any fight event is printed in a book titled "fight for your life", by Ray Mitchell... It shows Luther McCartey laying unconcious on his back in the ring, with a ray of sunlight beaming through the rafters in an almost heavenly fashion over the body of Luther.. a very, very eerie pic.. Mitchell states the the suns ray lasted until the count of 10, and Luther died a few minutes later. Arther Pelkey must have been a devastated fighter.

 

How can I find the video mentioned .. Darcy by Ted Spoon??????

 

DPW417, up to a dozen books have been printed regarding Darcy. If needed, Im happy to purchase several and have them posted to you. Im sure the costs would amount to very little. I have an interesting DVD which I shall post on youtube in the coming week also, just a summation of his career and tragic demise. I do, however, have a second copy of the Raymond Swanwick book on Darcy, which I have little need for, hence, I can offer this book posted with out any cost. Clearly, the thought of all and sundry having access to home/e-mail addresses is a concern. This leaves a difficult situation..

 

DPW417, I have just finished viewing the Ted Spoon video, and I am thankful for the chance of seeing it. A Pm?? how is recieved?? Or, what is needed from my end??

 

dpw417, I have responded to the email.. Im not 100% sure as to you recieving it??

 

Great, everything has been noted and the book will be posted in the morning. Cheers mate.
I will also keep those interested up to date with the 'Darcy' vid to be posted on YouTube.