Les Darcy

yes

 

Here's a brief summary supplied by the nephew of Les Darcy, Dr Les Darcy, and found on-line:

LES DARCY - (1895-1917) Great Australian boxer who with Don Bradman, cricketer, and Phar Lap, champion galloper make up a trinity of Australian sporting legends.

One of 10 children of an Irish Catholic share farming family, Les Darcy quickly developed a love of boxing which was a major sport in those days. He left school at 12 to become a carter and then became a blacksmith’s apprentice. (He became very fit and strongly built as the blacksmith’s striker).

He began to fight in tournaments at 15 and showed natural talent. He soon became a drawcard and in two years to September, 16, 1916 he won 22 consecutive bouts. He had an enormous following from Maitland and the coalfields and each new fight was awaited with eager anticipation.

He was not recognised as undisputed world middleweight champion but he beat a series of American imports who included most of the best of the era. In that period he tried to enlist but he was under 21 and his mother refused her consent.

In October, 1916, shortly before his 21st birthday Darcy heeded some bad advice. He sailed surreptitiously for the United States in a bid to clinch an official world title.

After that nothing went right. Newspapers branded him a coward and deserter, US State Governors banned him from boxing, promoters abandoned him, fans sent him white feathers.

In Memphis, Tennessee he fell ill with blood poisoning and died on May 24, in state in a chapel in Sydney and it is claimed that 700,000 were in his funeral procession.

Visitors to Maitland can see several plaques and historic sites commemorating Les Darcy including the home he built for his parents.

 

Born in 1895 in stradbroke new south wales DARCY was a stocky longarmed and ferocious in fighter JACK DEMPSEY claimed DARCY could have whooped heavyweight champion JESS WILLARD just as ezy as he did.

 

Two books that make for great reading...

Home Before Dark. by Ruth Parks

Les Darcy, The Golden Boy of Australian Boxing. by Ray Swanwick.

Both titles are very informative. Throw in 'The American Venture' by Bob Power for a little extra myth and you are left brain fkt as to the whole truth surrounding Darcy's life and ability.

There is no doubt in my mind that Darcy was anything less than the greatest M/W in the world at the time. Just a kid in truth, yet his mind was tested by a mountain of troubles. War Mongers, Lying Money Grabbers, Opportunists and ultimately America at its best took its slice of life from him.

With the 3 listed books, there is a truck load of research and reading that needs a lot more depth of truth, as all of them have severe infections of overlapping and contraditction.

The basic account of Darcy's life is amazing, his fighting ability second to none of the day, his own demise so full of consequence thats its too FAR fetched for reality. It shits all over the ROCKY movies.

Had he lived to the age of 30 y/o, the weekend before the Melbourne Cup Day would be celebrated nationally, for his own memory.

 

They now have a statue of him in Maitland. As you're driving in from Sydney, it's on the right (just near Henny Penny Chicken).

And yes, he is Australias best!

 

I think Darcy , Sands , Rose , Fenech , Famechon are our best fighters. I couldnt really split them up to be honest.

Darcy and Sands had the best chance to become all time greats if there lives wernt taken at such a young Age.

 

Fenech...............??????

 

genius

 

Fenech or Darcy??

 

You really dont like Fenech do ya flamey??...not a really a fan of the bloke but I have seen just about every Fenech fight available on film and he was a top fighter..certainly one of our best.

Surely he deserves to be mentioned with those names?

 

WaR, I cant say anything negative against what is on paper, in the record books, on film or strapped around his waist in terms of Belts or achievments..

A fkn impressive record.....

Unfortunately, plenty of views have been offered to me, as well as opinions, details, insights and information which reflect deeply on the very core of his career and persona.

A likable bloke?? Yes, I think so.. Who the hell am I in the face of him?? NO ONE.. I've met him numerous times, watched him spar several people, been around a gym post theatrics and seen what appears a genuine guy.

On the flip side, I have a view of his career which might be hard for myslf to adjust into a respectable par with Lionel and the rest.. Purely due to the suggested 'insights' that have been worded to me, via very, very creditable fight game fellows. I doubt any of them have a true reason for making up lie, nor do them have a true reason to dispose of his praises.. they just say it as it was, in the truest manner which unfortunately reflects poorly on Fenech.

From what I've been privy too, from people (including some now deceased), I have a rather different picture of the fighter and the man.

 

He knocked you back didn't he?

 

Fair enough.

Would you say such insights play a large part in your criteria of judging a fighter's greatness ?