Who wins this fight between Australia's two best and tragic middleweights? This fight would solve the age old question of the "oldtimers ",[Darcy] against the "modern " era fighters,[ Sands ]. Both died premature deaths...What's your take ?
I think Darcy would overpower Dave, maybe stop him. Les was just a physical freak who never seemed to tire. Chiddy Ryan who was a multiple opponent and stable mate of Young Griffo said Darcy was the greatest he ever saw, he was also the trainer of a handful of Darcy's opponents. Both met tragic ends and had a big "what if" stapled above their names. Both excellent fighters.
I think it could go back and forth, both greats and as far as Ausie middleweights go you can throw Ron Richards and Fred Henneberry into the mix. Two other underrated Aussie greats!
Sands: [yt]IHnEQ0sEtnE[/yt] Darcy: [yt]ftkHp8Ou4-w[/yt] [yt]cA5mYVzMeGw[/yt] I think the fight comes down to how well Sands hold up down the stretch. I think Sands can outspeed and outmaneuver Darcy, but if he fades down the stretch (which he reportedly had something of a rep for doing), then the stronger, more powerful Darcy could catch up to him and stop him. Incidentally, Darcy always reminded me of a sort of MW Marciano - not particularly fast or fancy, but exceptionally strong and powerful, and with a deceptive way of working his way in on fighters and making them fight his fight.
I think it's very possible that Darcy was that good, I certainly don't think it likely that any Middleweight in history could ever knock out Darcy, and over 20 rounds I back Les against them all, but over just 12 I think that the Greb's and some from later decades could win decisions, but in any case, Les Darcy was better than dave Sands and Fred Hennebury,........ AND THAT's Saying something,... Led Darcy Can Never be Dis-Counted in ATG lists,,........... cheers,:happy
