LES DARCY book by Raymond Swanwick- Excerpts

[McGoorty]

The Maitland Surprise packet - Chapter 3-- Pt 8

Part 8 :- LES DARCY Vs BILLY McNABB

- Spectators came in droves from Cessnock, Newcastle, and other coalfields towns, and the Stadium was filled to it's capacity with two thousand paying customers. The "House Full" sign was hung up out front and over 200 people were turned away. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This fight was a big step forward in Les Darcy's career, proving that his name could draw the crowds, and that fight fans far and wide were taking notice of his victories and wondering who could be found to stop him. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From the outset Darcy had McNabb on the defensive with speedy and cool boxing. He bored in relentlessly with straight lefts, right hooks, and left swings to the face, giving a confident sparring expedition rather than attempting a knockout. ----------------------------------------------------------- In round after round Darcy was piling up points, but it was a hard fought contest, as both fighters were in the pink of condition. McNabb tried hard for a knockout to wipe out his arrears of points, but the young blacksmith's iron muscles could take the hardest knocks without flinching. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Darcy, aroused by McNabbs hard punching, also began to punch hard, but McNabb took some of the blows on bone and muscle almost as hard as Darcy's, and Les's knuckles were bruised inside his gloves. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The contest went the full twenty rounds. The referee, J. Barron, had no hesitation in declaring Darcy the winner on points, by a good margin. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Before fighting McNabb, darcy had agreed that, if he won, he would meet the Australian Welterweight Champion, Bob WHITELAW, at Newcastle on 3rd November. That would be only nine days after his fight against McNabb. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Despite the fact that his hands were swollen and bruised, and that Billy Ford would not allow him even one hour of work for training, Les had no intention of asking for a postponement. --------------------------------------------------------------------- A doctor at East Maitland, Dr. Hollywood, advised him to postpone the fight until his hands had healed, but Darcy said, ------ "I've agreed to fight, and I won't go back on my word." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

LES DARCY Vs BOB WHITELAW :- Australian Welterweight Title --Victory Theatre, Newcastle.

- The big fight, Darcy Vs Whitelaw, was staged in the Victory Theatre at Newcastle at 11 am. on Eight Hour Day, Monday, 3rd November 1913, for a prize of 75 pounds to the winner and 75 pounds side-bets. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------Bob Whitelaw was a blacksmith, born in Haywood, Scotland in 1878, he was therefore seventeen years older than Les Darcy, who turned eighteen on 31st October, three days before his fight with the man who held the Australian Welterweight championship belt. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Whitelaw weighed in at 10 stone 6 pounds. Whitelaw was 5 ft 7 and a half inches tall, and had a reach of 68 inches (half an inch more than his height). In his youth he had been a bare-knuckle fighter. His trainer was Jack Williams. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The fight was fierce from the outset, with much in-fighting throughout. Despite his injured hand, Darcy swapped his punches with the champion to such an extent that in the tenth round he landed a body punch that broke Whitelaws rib. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- From the twelfth round onwards, Whitelaws far greater experience of ringcraft began to show. Darcy was continually missing with his straight left, due to Whitelaws evasiveness, and Whitelaw was landing heavy left and right hand swings to the body which at times, made Darcy wince. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Towards the end of the contest, Darcy was gaining the upper hand, but Whitelaw had a sufficient lead on points to carry him through. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- The Newcastle Herald report stated :- "As the bell sounded at the finish of the twentieth round, the referee, Arthur Scott crowned Whitelaw the Winner. The decision was greeted with a mixture of hoots and cheers. Some people thought that a draw would have been a good decision. --------------------------------------------------------------------------(McGoorty NOTE So Bob Whitelaw retained his title, but he would pay a very big price for that victory the next time he meets Les Darcy in the ring.--------------- This was the first defeat of young Les Darcy's career,..... even he as a new eighteen year old was human after all,... but remember that FOURTY ROUNDS In NINE DAYS (with damaged hands) would be an almost impossible task for a Great thirty year old in his prime.... As for Les Darcy, he is still on his way to his prime. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Les Darcy now has Eighteen Bouts so far and has Won Seventeen and lost One Twenty Round fight, but that was as a title challenger,........ It is now time for Les Darcy to step up into the big time,..... Sydney Stadium And The WORLD.......

End Of CHAPTER..... More Shortly..

[McGoorty]

Chapter FOUR :- LOOKING FOR HIGHER GAME

Chapter 4 -- Looking For Higher game

:- Despite enthusiastic recommendations by Les O'Donnell and others who had seen Darcy fight, the manager of the Stadium at Rushcutters Bay Sydney, Snowy Baker, could not be persuaded to match an eighteen year old boy from the bush against professional fighters of wide experience and big reputation for a bout of twenty rounds in a main Saturday night fight. Though the name of Les Darcy, the Maitland Wonder Boy, had become famous on the northern coalfields, it would not draw the crowds in Sydney. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hugh D. McIntosh had handed over the Stadium management of the Sydney Stadium to Snowy Baker, but had maintained a financial interest in it. Neither McIntosh nor Baker had anything to do with discovering Darcy, or even with encouraging him at the outset of his career. They were interested chiefly in imported fighters with established reputations from overseas, rather than with encouraging local Australian talent. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A rival, but smaller Stadium had been opened at Newtown, Sydney, on 13th December 1913, with a bout between two of the best Australian Heavyweights, Les O'Donnell and Dave Smith, won by Smith on points. The new stadium was named the Olympia Athletic Club, and was under the management of Sugar Jack Flannanagan. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was Les O'Donnell who was chiefly responsible for bringing Les Darcy to Sydney. He persuaded Jack Flanangan to give him an engagement at the Olympia, but only for a small purse. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A team of boxers had recently arrived from England, headed by the British Welterweight Champion, Johnny Summers, holder of the Lonsdale Belt. Jack Flanagan said that he would match Les Darcy against one of the Englishmen, a Middleweight named Jack Clarke, if Darcy could stand up to a workout spar with Johnny Summers. It was no easy matter to arrange this, as darcy's boss, Billy Ford, would not give him time off to go to Sydney :, but, after much argument and persuasion bt local sportsmen, the blacksmith agreed to allow his apprentice to go to Sydney on the condition that he missed only one days work and return from Sydney to Newcastle, thence by the first train to Maitland, arriving at East maitland at 5. 30 a.m. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Despite that problem, an appointment was amde for Darcy to spar with Johnny Summers late one afternoon a few days before christmas, at the Newtown Railway Institute Gymnasium, where Sugar Jack Flannagan could see the workout. Summers had the reputation of knocking out his sparring partners if they put too much power into their punches, so Les was warned ti hit him lightly. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the first two rounds, Summers hit the young blacksmith several times with his famous left-hook, but the youngster did not flinch. This puzzled Summers, In the third round, Les started to land repeated sparring blows on the Englishman, though pulling his punches, After the fourth round, Summers called the spar to a halt, though Les was eager to continue. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Is the boy good enough for a fight at my stadium ??", Flanagan asked. -------------------------"Good enough !!!!!", said Summers. "He's good enough to be a world's champion !!!". ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After that, Flanagan matched Darcy for a twenty-round contest at the Olympia, on Monday, 5th January 1914, against Jack CLARKE, an English Welterweight of wide experience, who had come to Australia with Johnny SUMMERS, looking for any opportunity to fight. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Billy Ford reluctantly gave Les time off to catch the afternoon train to Sydney, where he arrived, escorted by Father Coady, and Eric Newton, an hour before the fight was to begin.

---

Enjoying this bit of history

[McGoorty]

CHAPTER 5 - Looking for Higher Game

Chapter 5 - Pt. 2. : LES DARCY Vs JACK CLARKE (Eng.) -

- A Monday night fight, one week after the Christmas and New Year holidays, between two boxers whose names were scarcely known to the fight fans of Sydney, and in a stadium only recently opened, with no regular attendance, could scarcely be expected to draw a crowd. Les Darcy's first public appearance in Sydney was mentioned only briefly in the sporting newspapers. The referee report stated that the crowd was small. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yet the fight was a willing one, for Jack Clarke was on the top of his form, training with Johnny Summers, and was eager to make a good impression, in order to obtain further engagements in Australia. It was unfortunate for him that he was matched against a young prodigy, who was eager to make a name. Each of the boxers weighed in at 10 stone and 10 pounds. ----------------------------------------------------- From the start Darcy gained a lead on points through his faster boxing and heavier punching. The fight was lively enough until the seventh round, and then it developed sensationally, Clarke, aware that he was losing on points, tried for a knockout, and landed a heavy jab on Darcy's jaw. This had the usual effect, so surprising to Darcy's opponents throughout his career. It did not knock him out, but it wiped the grin from his face, and a few moments later a hard right swing to the side of the head, stretched Clarke out on the canvas. The referee began to count but at the count of three, the timekeeper sounded the gong for the end of the round. ----------------------------------------------------------- Clarke's seconds dragged their man to his corner and revived him. In the eighth round, Clarke parried and blocked and clinched, but Darcy stepped back, then moved in again, with a straight left that laid Clarke flat. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- At the count of nine, Clarke was saved again by the bell. He came out of his corner in the ninth round in a daze, and was promptly floored with an uppercut. He staggered to his feet, but the referee stopped the fight there and then, and crowned Darcy the winner on a T.K.O.. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The victor, unhurt and unwearied, caught the 11.30 p.m. steamer from the Sus*** Street Wharf, and was at work as usual next morning, swinging the heavy hammer on the red-hot iron on Billy Ford's anvil. -------------------------------------------------- Jack flanangan and some of the Sydney experts who had seen the Maitland Boy in action at the Olympia recognised he was a cut above the ordinary : but Snowy Baker continued to refuse all suggestions that the Maitland Wonder should be given an engagement at the Rushcutters Bay Stadium. "Too young", was Bakers comment, "He'll have to prove himself more !",. The leading trainer at Sydney was Tommy Hanley, who had in his team a Middleweight named Jack DEDMAN, so good that Tommy Hanley allowed him to fight in the name of YOUNG HANLEY. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Old Tommy had unlimited confidence in his pupil, and laughed at the idea that the boy Darcy could stand up to him, He said he'd be willing to back Young Hanley for big money against the Maitland Wonder. Mick Hawkins and the other Maitland sports took him up on that, and Jack Flanagan matched them for a fight at the Olympia, Newtown, on 30th January 1914.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Surely you enjoyed that fight !!!!!

[McGoorty]

CHAPTER 5 - Looking for Higher Game - Part 2

LES DARCY Vs YOUNG HANLEY :- Olympia Stadium, Newtown

Les Darcy had put on weight, and turned the scales at 10 stone 11 and a half pounds. He was now a Middleweight as was Young Hanley, 10 stone 7 and a half pounds. ---------------------------------------------- This was Les Darcy's first fight as a Middleweight, when he was eighteen years and three months. The fight was on a Friday night, and as usual, Billy Ford insisted that his apprentice could have only the afternoon off. Les had to work on Friday morning in the blacksmiths shop, travel to Sydney in the afternoon, fight in the evening, travel home after the fight throughout the night, and be at work again at eight O'clock on Saturday morning. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The fight between Les Darcy and Young Hanley at the Olympia attracted only a small crowd, and little notice in the press. Though billed as a twenty round contest, it lasted a mere five rounds. Instead of sparring, as usual, for three rounds to get his opponents measure, the Maitland boy started fighting hard in the first round. He undoubtedly knew that his friends had bet big money on him, and perhaps he had been annoyed by boasting from the opposition. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Soon after the first round opened, Darcy connected with a short hard right to the jaw that knocked Hanley down for a count of seven. Hanley had got up shakily, and clung to Darcy throughout the rest of the round to save himself from further punishment. That opening blow had been decisive. Hanley could not recover from it's effects. In the second, third and fourth rounds Darcy punished him unmercifully. When the gong sounded to begin the fifth round, Tommy Hanley, as young Hanley's second, threw in the towel, and darcy had won by 5th round T.K.O. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Despite those two convincing victories at the Olympia, against seasoned Middleweights. Les Darcy was unable to obtain an engagement at Baker's Stadium. He returned to his work in the blacksmiths shop, but continued training at night, while his backers ---- Mick Hawkins, Con Irwin, father Coady and others ---- made trips to Sydney to interview baker and McIntosh, only to be fobbed off with vague promises of an engagemaent for Les "later on",when he was a little older with more experience. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "But how can he gain experience if you don't give him a chance to gain it ???". Father Coady asked. -------------------------------------------------------- "That's his worry", said Baker, "he's an apprentice blacksmith and an apprentice fighter too". ---------------------------------------------------------------- "You wouldn't want to put on the gloves with him yourself, would you ???". Father Coady asked with a smile. ------------------------------------- "not me", Baker admitted. "I'm told he hits like a sledge hammer, and has muscles like iron". ------------------------------------------------- Excerpt :- This argument went on for some time,... but Baker and McIntosh won't budge...... they were only interested in American fighters,.. the thinking was that "Colonials" were second rate in comparison, and wouldn't bring in the crowds........... LES DARCY WOULD SOON CHANGE THAT !!!!!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In the end, Baker told them that if he could beat Billy McNabb AND BOB WHITELAW in re-matches, that THEN he would allow Les Darcy to fight a big name fighter at Sydney Stadium at Rushcutters Bay........ So, Les Darcy would have to impress again with McNabb.... and would have to beat the only man to ever defeat him.... namely, BOB WHITELAW.

Any Comments people, it's been lonely in here !!!!

:boobies:

[FenechJeff]

Part 8 :- LES DARCY Vs BILLY McNABB

- Spectators came in droves from Cessnock, Newcastle, and other coalfields towns, and the Stadium was filled to it's capacity with two thousand paying customers. The "House Full" sign was hung up out front and over 200 people were turned away. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This fight was a big step forward in Les Darcy's career, proving that his name could draw the crowds, and that fight fans far and wide were taking notice of his victories and wondering who could be found to stop him. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From the outset Darcy had McNabb on the defensive with speedy and cool boxing. He bored in relentlessly with straight lefts, right hooks, and left swings to the face, giving a confident sparring expedition rather than attempting a knockout. ----------------------------------------------------------- In round after round Darcy was piling up points, but it was a hard fought contest, as both fighters were in the pink of condition. McNabb tried hard for a knockout to wipe out his arrears of points, but the young blacksmith's iron muscles could take the hardest knocks without flinching. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Darcy, aroused by McNabbs hard punching, also began to punch hard, but McNabb took some of the blows on bone and muscle almost as hard as Darcy's, and Les's knuckles were bruised inside his gloves. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The contest went the full twenty rounds. The referee, J. Barron, had no hesitation in declaring Darcy the winner on points, by a good margin. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Before fighting McNabb, darcy had agreed that, if he won, he would meet the Australian Welterweight Champion, Bob WHITELAW, at Newcastle on 3rd November. That would be only nine days after his fight against McNabb. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Despite the fact that his hands were swollen and bruised, and that Billy Ford would not allow him even one hour of work for training, Les had no intention of asking for a postponement. --------------------------------------------------------------------- A doctor at East Maitland, Dr. Hollywood, advised him to postpone the fight until his hands had healed, but Darcy said, ------ "I've agreed to fight, and I won't go back on my word." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

LES DARCY Vs BOB WHITELAW :- Australian Welterweight Title --Victory Theatre, Newcastle.

- The big fight, Darcy Vs Whitelaw, was staged in the Victory Theatre at Newcastle at 11 am. on Eight Hour Day, Monday, 3rd November 1913, for a prize of 75 pounds to the winner and 75 pounds side-bets. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------Bob Whitelaw was a blacksmith, born in Haywood, Scotland in 1878, he was therefore seventeen years older than Les Darcy, who turned eighteen on 31st October, three days before his fight with the man who held the Australian Welterweight championship belt. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Whitelaw weighed in at 10 stone 6 pounds. Whitelaw was 5 ft 7 and a half inches tall, and had a reach of 68 inches (half an inch more than his height). In his youth he had been a bare-knuckle fighter. His trainer was Jack Williams. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The fight was fierce from the outset, with much in-fighting throughout. Despite his injured hand, Darcy swapped his punches with the champion to such an extent that in the tenth round he landed a body punch that broke Whitelaws rib. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- From the twelfth round onwards, Whitelaws far greater experience of ringcraft began to show. Darcy was continually missing with his straight left, due to Whitelaws evasiveness, and Whitelaw was landing heavy left and right hand swings to the body which at times, made Darcy wince. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Towards the end of the contest, Darcy was gaining the upper hand, but Whitelaw had a sufficient lead on points to carry him through. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- The Newcastle Herald report stated :- "As the bell sounded at the finish of the twentieth round, the referee, Arthur Scott crowned Whitelaw the Winner. The decision was greeted with a mixture of hoots and cheers. Some people thought that a draw would have been a good decision. --------------------------------------------------------------------------(McGoorty NOTE So Bob Whitelaw retained his title, but he would pay a very big price for that victory the next time he meets Les Darcy in the ring.--------------- This was the first defeat of young Les Darcy's career,..... even he as a new eighteen year old was human after all,... but remember that FOURTY ROUNDS In NINE DAYS (with damaged hands) would be an almost impossible task for a Great thirty year old in his prime.... As for Les Darcy, he is still on his way to his prime. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Les Darcy now has Eighteen Bouts so far and has Won Seventeen and lost One Twenty Round fight, but that was as a title challenger,........ It is now time for Les Darcy to step up into the big time,..... Sydney Stadium And The WORLD.......

End Of CHAPTER..... More Shortly..

Ace write up here. This is what I expect to see when discussing boxing history. Don't want to offend anybody but this is far more intellectually stimulating than reading about the Sonny Liston's of the world. These men here were true students of boxing. You know boxing, mate. Thanks for the good read.

[FenechJeff]

LES DARCY Vs YOUNG HANLEY :- Olympia Stadium, Newtown

Les Darcy had put on weight, and turned the scales at 10 stone 11 and a half pounds. He was now a Middleweight as was Young Hanley, 10 stone 7 and a half pounds. ---------------------------------------------- This was Les Darcy's first fight as a Middleweight, when he was eighteen years and three months. The fight was on a Friday night, and as usual, Billy Ford insisted that his apprentice could have only the afternoon off. Les had to work on Friday morning in the blacksmiths shop, travel to Sydney in the afternoon, fight in the evening, travel home after the fight throughout the night, and be at work again at eight O'clock on Saturday morning. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The fight between Les Darcy and Young Hanley at the Olympia attracted only a small crowd, and little notice in the press. Though billed as a twenty round contest, it lasted a mere five rounds. Instead of sparring, as usual, for three rounds to get his opponents measure, the Maitland boy started fighting hard in the first round. He undoubtedly knew that his friends had bet big money on him, and perhaps he had been annoyed by boasting from the opposition. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Soon after the first round opened, Darcy connected with a short hard right to the jaw that knocked Hanley down for a count of seven. Hanley had got up shakily, and clung to Darcy throughout the rest of the round to save himself from further punishment. That opening blow had been decisive. Hanley could not recover from it's effects. In the second, third and fourth rounds Darcy punished him unmercifully. When the gong sounded to begin the fifth round, Tommy Hanley, as young Hanley's second, threw in the towel, and darcy had won by 5th round T.K.O. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Despite those two convincing victories at the Olympia, against seasoned Middleweights. Les Darcy was unable to obtain an engagement at Baker's Stadium. He returned to his work in the blacksmiths shop, but continued training at night, while his backers ---- Mick Hawkins, Con Irwin, father Coady and others ---- made trips to Sydney to interview baker and McIntosh, only to be fobbed off with vague promises of an engagemaent for Les "later on",when he was a little older with more experience. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "But how can he gain experience if you don't give him a chance to gain it ???". Father Coady asked. -------------------------------------------------------- "That's his worry", said Baker, "he's an apprentice blacksmith and an apprentice fighter too". ---------------------------------------------------------------- "You wouldn't want to put on the gloves with him yourself, would you ???". Father Coady asked with a smile. ------------------------------------- "not me", Baker admitted. "I'm told he hits like a sledge hammer, and has muscles like iron". ------------------------------------------------- Excerpt :- This argument went on for some time,... but Baker and McIntosh won't budge...... they were only interested in American fighters,.. the thinking was that "Colonials" were second rate in comparison, and wouldn't bring in the crowds........... LES DARCY WOULD SOON CHANGE THAT !!!!!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In the end, Baker told them that if he could beat Billy McNabb AND BOB WHITELAW in re-matches, that THEN he would allow Les Darcy to fight a big name fighter at Sydney Stadium at Rushcutters Bay........ So, Les Darcy would have to impress again with McNabb.... and would have to beat the only man to ever defeat him.... namely, BOB WHITELAW.

Any Comments people, it's been lonely in here !!!!

:boobies:

This is what I mean by hard work and substance. This is what these fighters had. They were not just flash and fluff like the bodgy Mayweather or Andre Ward. But America keeps rolling them out. I heard about this kid Gary Russell fighting a pathetic 8 round fight on HBO. That kid could put a tranquilizer to sleep. But the fighters you have included were real fighters. Real men who fought like men.

[Barn]

Ace write up here. This is what I expect to see when discussing boxing history. Don't want to offend anybody but this is far more intellectually stimulating than reading about the Sonny Liston's of the world. These men here were true students of boxing. You know boxing, mate. Thanks for the good read.

I don't think there is many more interesting characters than Mr Liston.

[McGoorty]

I don't think there is many more interesting characters than Mr Liston.

He is very mysterious, I'll give you that barn,........... I hope you have enjoyed the Darcy story so far, He's on the verge of the big time,... and he's gonna blow you all away..... as you can see by now, he is an EXTRAORDINARY fighter, and he's living a very, very hard life...... and he's enjoying every minute,... long live Les Darcy.

[McGoorty]

CHAPTER 5 - Looking for Higher Game - Part 3

LES DARCY Vs BOB WHITELAW II

The first of these two significant fights was against Bob Whitelaw, on Saturday, 21st March 1914. A crowd of two thousand packed Andrews Stadium to capacity, many of the spectators having come from Newcastle, Cessnock, and other coalfields towns. There was a preliminary bout of six rounds between Les's brother, Frank "Frosty" Darcy, aged fifteen, and another local boy, which "Frosty" won on points. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Though Bob Whitelaw aws the holder of the Australian Welterweight Championship, and weighed in at the Welterweight limit, 10 stone & 7 pounds, the title was not at issue. Darcy had put on 6 pounds since their previous encounter at Newcastle on 3rd November. He now weighed 10 stone, 13 pounds and was classed as a Middleweight, but had not grown taller, and was stocky and thick-set. This return match with Whitelaw was something of a grudge fight, as Les had lost on points to Bob in a twenty round decision, a decision that a section of the crowd had booed ; but, rightly, or wrongly, Bob Whitelaw was the only opponent that had ever beaten Les in the ring,....... and Les was determined to even the score. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The first round was fast and furious, with a fierce exchange of punches towards the end, but the honours were even. In the second round, young Darcy came out of his cornerlike a tiger. The delighted crowd saw that his fighting spirit was thoroughly aroused, and that he was relentlessly on the offensive, forcing Whitelaw to block, smother, and back up. Despite Whitelaws tactics, Darcy won the round with hooks and jabs which at times rocked Whitelaw on his feet. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In round three Darcy scored with heavy body punches and left hooks to the face, and was completely in command. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In round four Whitelaw was driven to the ropes with smashing left-hooks and rights to the body. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- In round five Whitelaw attempted to gain a breather by clinching, but the long armed, strong-armed young blacksmith stood him off with left jabs to the face and body which laid the champion flat on his back. At the count of nine, Whitelaw rose unsteadily to his feet. Darcy moved in swiftly and knocked him out with a left hook to the chin for the full count of ten and MORE... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Newcastle Herald reported ;- " There was a deafening roar of applause. Darcy had clearly demonstrated to doubters in the crowd that he carried a deadly K.O. Many who came expecting to see the veteran beat him were dismayed at the climax. There is no doubt that championship honours await him, although he is only eighteen. --------------------------------------------------

Any comments on this kid ???

[McGoorty]

CHAPTER 5 - Looking for Higher Game - Part 4

LES DARCY vs BILLY McNABB II

In his next match, against Billy McNabb, one month later, on Thursday, 23rd APRIL 1914, at ANDREWS STADIUM, was also a grudge fight, for Billy McNabb, regarded as the Welterweight Champion of the coalfields, had been beaten on points over twenty rounds in his contest with Darcy six months previously. The fight had been so fierce that Darcy's hands were bruised. Billy McNabb had taken that match too easily, but not so this time. He realised that his best chance of victory would be by a knockout early in the fight. It would be useless to try to box Darcy for twenty rounds. Yes, it would have to be by a K.O. ----------- But what Billy McNabb did not know was that Les Darcy could not be knocked out by any blow from a gloved fist. Who could have believed that ??? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack Andrews put up the prices of admission to 10s., 75. 6d., 5s., and 3s. (instead of the usual Three, two and one'), but there was no doubt of the response. The doors were opened at 6 p.m., and in half an hour the Stadium was full. Red headed Billy McNabb was a popular favourite, and a large crowd of his supporters came with him from Cessnock, where he had worked as a butcher, but he had also fought in the stadiums at Sydney and Brisbane, and he was known as a fierce and courageous fighter. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The big fight began at 8.30 p.m. The opening round was described by the sports reporters as the most remarkable seen on the coalfields ; McNabb rushed in with a left hook to the body and Darcy sent a left and right to the head. McNabb dropped for a count of six. He got up onto his feet again, and they fought like demons. Darcy used his left jab to the face and dropped McNabb again for a count of seven. McNabb rose again and fought gamely, and the pace was terrific. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In Round TWO;, Darcy was persistent with lefts and rights to the head, and jolts and rips to the body. In ROUND THREE;, McNabb was again sent to the canvas for a count of six. Up again, he was down for six again. He rose, and hung on to the end of the round. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In ROUND FOUR;, despite his punishment, Billy McNabb faced the music again and took four in quick succession to the head and face and others to the body. He endeavored to reply, and reached Darcy's head and body, but the punches were feeble. Darcy made the pace again and dealt out severe punishment, the crowd being almost mad with excitement. McNabb stood to it, but was a weakening, beaten man. After he had gone to his corner the towel was thrown in, and the referee pointed to Darcy..... Darcy wins by T.K.O. 5. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Darcy was practically unscathed, and took his victory in the modest style that has made him so many friends. He has improved out of sight, and will have to look for higher game in the future. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On the day after the fight his right wrist was swollen. He had punched McNabb so hard that he had strained a tendon. A local doctor ordered him not to go to work in the blacksmiths shop for a fortnight. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- So Billy Ford's fears that fighting would interfere with his apprentice's career as a blacksmith were proved correct. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On the 15th of May, Les went to Cessnock at Joe Shakespeare's invitation, to referee a fight between S. McKinnon and B. Edwards. This gave the Cessnock miners a chance to see the East Maitland Wonder Boy. Les had now to look for higher game in Sydney, or give up fighting as a career. At the age of eighteen and a half, he was ready to take on the best of the overseas Middleweights. Would Hugh D. McIntosh and Snowy Baker give him an engagement ????? It would not be easy to persuade them, but Darcy's backers at Maitland now had a convincing argument that would be hard to resist. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mick Hawkins was prepared to guarantee gate-takings of 500 pounds if Les Darcy were matched at the Sydney Stadium. Baker and McIntosh accepted that guarantee, in which Mick Hawkins was acting for a group of Maitland sportsmen. It was those supporters, and not McIntosh and Baker, who backed Les Darcy in his first international amtch at the Sydney Stadium, against FRITZ HOLLAND, one of the leading American Middleweights, who had recently arrived in Australia. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The engagement was made for a Saturday Night Fight at Rushcutters Bay on 18th JULY 1914. Billy Ford was persuaded to allow his apprentice time off to travel in.

END of CHAPTER 5

Man that was the most destructive and best fight of young Darcy's career. From now on Les Darcy fights in the big time.......... Any feedback ???.. this is a critical point in the career of Les Darcy....... COMMENTS ???