LES DARCY; Newspaper Reports And LINKS

[McGoorty]

Please excuse some of the mistakes in the text. Computers have a hard time translating worn or damaged text to files,... thankfully we can read easily some things the computers cannot....... I will therefore have some editing to do,.... I will work on it in the next 24 hours or so.//// I intend on doing the same thing with all of Darcy's fight reports as an adjunct to my Thread, Les Darcy Book by Raymond Swanwick..... I'm thinking of doing a book Called the fights of Les Darcy using these primary sources where I can find them and secondary sources if the primary sources are lost.

[McGoorty]

LES DARCY Vs GUS CHRISTIE

Darcy a Dandy Doer.
NZ Truth , Issue 492, 21 November 1914, Page 5

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Darcy a Dandy Doer.
Gus Christie's Bitter Battle. 1
Young Les Hat Clean Victory on Points
(By "Boxer-Major.")
The largest crowd that has patronised the Stadium for monthß past rolled up on Saturday night week to see what proved to be s an exciting, strenuous struggle from first bell to last. On paper, It appeared as though the Stadium management could hardly have found a pair of boxers. more likely to give value for the money' than Les Darcy, the nineteen-: year-old East Maitland smith, and Gus Christie, the 23-year-old Milwaukee American. --------------------------------Both had knocked 'out the French middleweight, who appeared, on his record, to have fairly earned the title of "Knock-out" Marchand, a cognomen that proved, such, a 'misfit here, and as Darcy took 4 1/2 rounds to do it, and ' Christie only 2 l-3rd rounds, "form on paper," that ; joke of the ring, pointed to Christie to win.. ! , •Both had trained with the utmost care, for each recognised . the seriousness of the task set him. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Darcy, freed from the thrall of his apprenticeship, revelled in his work at the Spit, with Dave Smith for a trial horse and men!tor, and their sots-to were the talk of all who were privileged to see them. There has rarely been a tougher battle waged in' tho world-famed arena, and to win it as cleanly .as- Darcy did, over so doughty, taller, heavier, arid so much more experienced a foeman,,was an achievement that stamps the lad as one of the very best at the weights in
the world. He has proved the greatest draw among Australian- boxers the Stadium ever -had; arid it is amusing to reflect that I had. to fairly hammer his claims into the heads of the management before he was given a chance. Christie was the first m the ring, attended by Jimmy Russell, Tim Land, and George Brewer. When Darcy entered there was a terrific round of cheering. He was^ attended by Dave .Smith, Mick Hawkins, Harry Pearce, and another. . : The weights were: Christie, 11.4% tt>; Darcy; 11.2%1b. Mr. Harald Baker refereed. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------It is safe to say that Christie was under the impression that he w.ould be able to .deal with Darcy as he had dealt with "Knock-out" Marchand, but he soon "jerryrumbled" to the difference. When he shoved the boy to the northern ropes and tried to get his wicked, stiff-arm left hook or uppercut to work,- he found it blocked splendidly, or the head shifted out of the road, while Darcy got busy with hard right whangs to the loin. When Darcy skipped out to centre, . and' Christie sent that devastating left awing at the jaw, he found a brawny blacksmith's right forearm In the way, and the more insidious short hooks m the close work, on the arm, ( wrist, or glove, with all the neatness and lightning speed of his proud mentor — Dave Smith. Others he dudked so neatly that the fierce swing would almost carry Gus round after the glove. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------And Darcy was always there with a swift counter or .cross; while so fast did he hit that' at times Gus must have thought that it was- raining boxing gloves or that Darcy had eight arms, all going like the stampers of a quartz battery. As Christie began. to realise the skill and power of the" man opposed to him, his fighting face, a. threatening mask of battle that he assumes as the Chinese soldiers were wont to do, to throw fear into the ' . foe, he grew absolutely ■■" ferocious. But Darcy is not the sort of kid to be scared of a frown, and he hardly ever lost his own pleasant;; smile. Even when his left eye-brow, was opened by, a bump from Christie's bristled head,' In the third, and the blood from that old cut mingled with the sweat and ran into and all around the eye, he [ smiled as if he thought the trouble i rather amusing.------------------------------------------------------------------------------In the fourth, as Lea back-moved a tremendous uppercut and smashed his right toj the ribs, . Gus butted m, head | down, -the crown taking Les fair on i the nose, and bringing blood badly. It was a damaging bump, arid caused Dave- Smith a, lot of trouble and anxiety between the rounds, for the lad seemed to have difficulty with his breathing apparatus for several of the subsequent sessions. In the' fifth, Christie showed a disposition to bear his weight on the shorter man m clinches, and- to bring American methods to bear, by locking arms, wrestling, and snapping one hand, usually the* left, free, to hit while holding with the other. The crowd was in a virtuous mood and strongly reprehended such tactics, and voiced Its virtue with many a roar of hooting. Gils changed his tactics m, the sixth and stoodibff fforar r a cross,' trying to Induce Darcy to give him a lead. He got it and several hard punches, -too;! but Christie couldn't get the head, though he socked, one terrible right into the slats. '.' .' ■ -----------------------------------------------------------------------------Every round from the fifth, but tlie eighth.: went down to'Darc^s credit, and that one was even. There was'always danger, however, froiri that rigid left hook that is almost as bad to receive as a jab from an iron bar. But Darcy's chin Pls evidently differently constituted to Dave Smith's, for he took quite a few of these jolts fair on it Without the slightest sign of inconvenlencie. And, the whole en? gagemeritj not once did Darcy get hit without instantly, slamming down the change; and it 'was at these moments that Christie seemed to think Les was a garden octopus! ! < The man from Milwaukee made a treriiendous effort m the eleventh, and drove Darcy to the' east rope. . Was the mere lad dismayed? Not half! He suddenly set himself, a foot off the hemp, and started to. fight back. It was a miniature German assault on the- Britißh trenches, and In five seconds the assailant was backing away from a' furious and Irresistible sally, and the tide of war was' entirely turned. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------There's no backdown about Les Darcy ! He's grit to the core, .and as full of devil as a, whole Gurkha regiment. As the late teens reeled off, I am sorry to say Christie fought anything but fairly. He flung punctilio and Australian usage over the ropes, and took to Bowery tactics. His head and elbow were very mnch m evidence; he butted like an angry ram and absolutely refused to break, so that ' Referee Batfer had to risk his inappropriate, hot, swell suit of serge, m frantic struggles to separate the sweltering, bleeding men. -----------------------------------------------------------------------This "sort of stuff was vastly ' appreciated by the Yankees around the ring, and their mad shouts of admiration und encouragement made the roof tremble. - Darcy went down owing to Christie treading on his toes as he rushed to overtake a back-move, arid Christie ran right over him and into the ropes. But Les was up "and facing the enemy before he could come back out of ."the popes into which ho had plunged. In the twentieth, when Darcy slipped a rush and right uppercut to the face, Gus went to the canvas with a **** — a clean knock-down. * When Mr. Baker placed his long brown hand on Darcy's head, the whole house stood and shoutod its approval. When Les throw his arms In tho air and held them aloft while he turned; to all, sides m acknowledgment of the cheers, they broke out afresh, and continued as long ashewas In sight. Christie? Oh, he just ducked under, and was gone before anybody knew it.' Only the man with the pail was caught in the crowd. ~

[McGoorty]

The Second Very Exiciting DARCY Vs McGOORTY fight... Darcy by KO 8

McGOORTY MAULED
NZ Truth , Issue 551, 8 January 1916, Page 11

McGOORTY MAULED
Darcy's Great Effort
< Silences, the Slanderers
What "Boxer- Major" Thinks
If ever foul -innuendo and mpnetary
meanness got shown up m. the bright light and made look as ****** as they are
and were, that happened at the Sydney
Stadium on Boxing Night, when Les Darcy, the . absolute middleweight champion eceinfoer 27. Then they -rtrerrt to tha dirty limbo they beoog to, qji^i TriiMhry . & . fadr-mtnded, - but misted, pmttear's good stmT w«at with Ukem. It was-astounding 1 how many ordluatDy sane men about town believed tttenk— and the fwyrf*- one scribe pub- Babed, supporting, by contemptiWe innuendo, the theory of "croofc" Wen, Boxtng Nigrhfs fight proved I -was a bttm 1 judge or a foully i erootßed reporter; and I hope the other side liked its medicine. For myself, if 1 heard what was shouted oat by temfltr eds— and two-guinea seaters. at that— at me, I would hot have Uved thirty sxhrates afterwards. There probably was^never m Che history of gladiatorial another such a ! toaxtn^ down, of a. public penman,. It
made even his antagonists feel pitiful
No man ever fought' a braver fight than did McGoorty; and if ever a man tried to "even up" and prove to his side that form and. rumor were all wrong, this fine athlete did on that Monday night.
Brave? Why, people shouted his name' in recognition of that quality, after his opponent had gone laughing out of the ring. But he had as much chance as - v
A SNOWBALL IN HELL.
1 Eddie is notorious for his awful hitting; and "was never m better form m Ms life; but as^ one front-seater shouted, "He can't hurt him when he DOES hit ! him." And as a fact he hit him so seldom that the big boy Jeft the ring absolutely unscathed, while poor Eddie's , face was a bad sight, and he absolutely ! bled on the ribs.
Referee Arthur Scott fought some terrific fights m his time; and he has instructed some .of the best and toughest ever;- yet hte- words to me just met the situation. "He's all you claimed for him; but, even then, what sort; of a fight did he put up! ! !" "What sort of a fight? I said to one of the most polished writers we have, who sat by my side and is, therefore probably black and blue this day — because for the first time m. twenty years I let myself go, my honor and reputation being practically at stake- — "This is not a modern fight; it is a gladiatorial epic," and he agreed with me. It would be a farce to describe it round by round. It was a gift from the gods of High plympia to the grandest crowd that has occupied the Stadium sinee — well, since the glorious kid fought Holland the first time and they nearly tore the Stadium down,

Ringside observers could see the amazed look on McGoorty's face when Darcy continued after the blow. In his corner, the bemused McGoorty muttered to his seconds.

"I hooked him good and hard and he only grinned!"
"Do it again!"

That boy's the best fighter I ever fought. He's the greatest fighter in the world. He's hard to hit and harder still to hurt. I don't think there's anyone in the world could beat him.
Eddie McGoorty

Les Darcy is the best man in the world. I bar no one, not even Jess Willard (world heavyweight champion). The man who can take Eddie McGoory's left swing on the jaw without flinching would not be hurt by anyone.
Fritz Holland

[McGoorty]

It is no good trying to describe It. Itve got copious notes, and could go into details. But what's the ass? Nothing that ever wore trunks was quite like Darcy. Those who saw
THIS GREAT. FIGHT may faintly appreciate him for the wonderful, unique warrior he is; but even they, bar a very few veterans, cannot draw comparisons.
Just think. — and how they screaitied to one person to think!— that Sddle Mc- Goorty has proved himself one of the greatest men, of any weight or class, ever known m the game; am an with a crushing punch that made a baby- of man after man. of world-wide reputation, quite recently, TMiink, too, that we were told such muck as we were, and that foul skunks went abroad polluting McGporty, and saying how much he won by going down m July; and then picture the fine fellow walking out to show this blacksmith^ apprentice what chance he had with a world-famed fighter. Think of him going for the boy
with his fearful v/hacks and perfect confidence; ami then sec him bleedir t m the first round and absolutely ne W-in it from gong to gong. No pen could write the story of such a fight.
"What sort of a fight did he put up!" said Referee Scott. In that he said a huge tome; Darcy never let vp — which is one of the most prmmant sources of his marvellous success. This really
AWFUL, TERRIFYING HITTER got him a few times, but never on the spot; he's too wonderful with his skill, m or out — but, as that onlooker shouted, he couldn't hurt him; while, every time he did Jar him the kid set his beautiful teeth, glared like a devil, and sailed m to' his man m a style that seemed to say: "How dare you hit me? Oh! you were crook last time, were you? I'll show you how crook I was!" and by the holy smoke, how did he avenge his character! It seemed that he was there for that purpose, and by the honor of the gods he carried it out !
I am writing this at one o'clock m the morning, and I know thousands are waiting to read it; but what is worrying me is 1 the thought thatf some boneheads and bounders have got to explain their attitude. Fancy having to tell your boss. Imagine having to explain why you backed McGoorty this time. Laugh! Why it is
ONE GRAND HIP-HOORAY to Darcy*s friends and one awful, almost pitiful humiliation to his tiny nest of enemies. McGoqrty's whole aim was to- knock Darcy as he knocked Murray and Bonds; and m the first round his mouth bled freely. The kid never missed a hit and he hit like a club-footed Satan kicking. What a pity he hasn't got a punch! ! ! For a few short spasms McQoorty was the aggressor; and a real lover of the game and of a brave man just simply had to feel kindly towards the "Terror." But — oh that "but"! — it was absolutely effectless. The boy was m on him with ducked nut or up-thrown arm and shoulder, or else he moved just outside the terrifying swing and instantly had his, murderous uppercuts and cross jolts going:. In every clinch he was master to a, c^ree that was ridiculous, seeing that McGoorty. is one of the finest men we "fcripw; and to show the force of his thumps, it is only necessary to say that it was short jolts while In clinches, that absolutely stupitied and dropped Eddie m the fifth. If he hadn't been a brave man, fighting to win big wagers, , he would not have got up at "eight."
It was similar ? blows that put Mo- Goorty down on July 31; and yet skunks who had two and elevenpence on the Yank shouted from their lairs that " 'E was never 'it 'ard henough to put 'im down." In tlJlit scrap, McGoorty was practically down when he hung on to Darey's right arm and
THE LEFT FAIRLY CRASHED into his face five times .and dropped him. In this case the boy never let up; he was hitting- all the time; m or out. His left jab wfts like a blow with a pike, and yet when Eddie swung he was inside and hitting about three times a- second. To make it the more maddening to McGoorty, the kid laughed m his face nearly every time the Yankee thought he had done something.
McGoorty^s efforts towards the finish must have ' satisfied the hungriest scoundrel among his backers. He was out to win and he tried every punch his marvellous gifts and his long experience vouchsafed to him. The battery was wonderful and abundunt m its variety but nothing- mattered to Darcy. Some of his. rights to the side of the head and neck., were like blows with a club and McGoorty; strong- man as he is.
REELED AND ROCKED under them. His f&ce. was a dream and no second could stay the flow of claret; while his left eye was' as near closed as don't matter*
It was the, eighth round, and Mc- Goorty had swung- three times* with fearful force; and three times Darey's hoad had dropped and his left glove had met the damaged face. Then his right came over to the back of the ear, a fearful whang, and was instantly jer.ked up uifder the chin. Bump, bump, bump, and McGoorty fell out of a futile- hqld. flat fn his face.
He was up at "three," and swinging: wildly at the world at large; when Red Watson, his second, made a bunch ot? his towel and. hetffved It over 13ddie's nadget fair into the referee's face.
Darcy hadn't a mark to show that he had been fighting one of the; best men of his weight the world ever knew. He, weighed 11.1/4 to McGoorty's 11.5% and neither ever looked or moved better. Only one In different from any other man I ever saw and would have made Jim Hall look like a schoolboy and beaten even Bob Fitzslmmons.

[McGoorty]

Darcy Vs Dave Smith

MASTER AND PUPIL.
NZ Truth , Issue 576, 1 July 1916, Page 11

MASTER AND PUPIL.
Les Darcy and Dave Smith. The Pupil's Punches Too Powerful. Knock-out m the Twelfth Round. (By Special Cable.) Who helped to make Les Darcy middleweight champion of the world, and heavyweight champion of Australia? All of the boxing critics of Sydney, that is to say, the boxing experts, of the newspapers, claim that they "discovered" Les Darcy, and certainly "Boxer- Major," of the "Sydney Sportsman" has more claim to the "discovery" than any other writer of the press, but the real maker of Les Darcy, the boxer who discovered that Les Darcy had all the potentialities of a champion, the boxer who helped to develop the latent science, and to bring to perfection the rugged strength of Les Darcy, is with^ out a shadow of a doubt, Dave Smith. Dave Smith took Darcy m hand at a time when failure to make good on Darcy's part would have meant that the young world's champion of. to-day would never have been heard of. Smith took him m hand when he had not reached the threshold of that phenom-" enal success which has since attended Darcy. Smith was for a long time associated with Darcy, during which victory after victory attended the efforts of the young and raw . West Maltlander. Then tiame a time when they parted, and with that parting came that bitter feeling that somehow, unfortunately, enters into and destroys the soul of friendship., Barcy kept on climbing the tree of success. Smith had retired from active ring work/and though many ventured to compare the prowess ' ot~ this truly marvellous pair, none thought it possible that the time would arrive when master and pqpil should enter the ring and there decide whether the man who can be credited with teaching the pupil all that he knew wa3 m reality as good as the pupil who proved so apt to learn. ...... The opportunity did present Itself last Saturday night at , the Sydney Stadium, and, naturally, there was not v vacant seat m tbo huge building. The pair met for the heavyweight championship of Australia, which Smith had won from big Bill Lang. Though he had emergod from a retirement into which he should not have entered, Smith was obliged to climb up a bit. He, wa« first given the task of boating Jimmy, Clabby ,at middle weights, but m 'thin he failed, though the decision was a dubious and disappointing one. Had the decision been otherwise, Smith would have been matched to meet Darcy for the middleweight championship of the world, because he gave It out that he alone knew how to fight Darcy, inasmuch us
he had taught Darcy all that he knew. Baulked In that direction, viz., of meeting Darcy for the middleweight championship of the world, Smith was set another task and proved equal to it by defeating m an easy and hollow fashion, big Colin Bell, who has his ttye on the heavyweight championship of Australia, which Darcy had won by defeating the holder, Harold Hard wick. Therefore, Smith was m the ponition of having to tight for a title which he had been dispossessed of only by reason of his retirement. When they met at the Sydney Sltadium on Saturday night, the weights' announced were, Darcy 11.6, Smith 11.8. Never had a more natty pair of healthy, strong-limbed and lunged athletes adorned the ring of the Stadium, and for once, by way of a chamge, the opinions of the fans were about equally divided on the chances of either, man. . , Smith from the commencement fought a glorious flght, and certatnly made good his claim that he knew an the tricks that Darcy had concealed m either arm.. lndeed, Smith soon showed that he was' superior to Darcy as a boxer, and his skill was demonstrated over and over again, as he landed on the vulnerable spots of the champion. But Smith's science availed him little. Punch as he did or could he could make no impression on the youngster, who returned with interest all that he had got, and these punches had telling force behind them which soon began to tell on Smith. ' Dave continued to hold his own, and more than his own, from a points view, but his punches did not even jar the champion, who belaboured away, and adopted the wearing-out or attrition system on the "old master." By the time that the twelfth round had arrived, Smith's efforts had told their tale — on himself, not on Darcy, who was fighting vigorously and confidently. The heavy punches which had landed on Smith now began to take effect, and it was early apparent that the end was not far off. It was not. In the middle of the round the youngster became demoniacal. He rushed Smith, swung right and left to the face, and these put finish to Smith's ambition to prove that master was the master. Amidst ! the greatest excitement, Smith dropped and wao counted out All that can be said, has been said. Smith fought gloriously. He w*s not outclassed. He simply proved that youth will bo served, that the time arrives when pupil supplants master. That Smith's great effort was appreciated was shown by the cheers which were given him when he left the ring. He Is matched to meet Buck Crouse on the evening of July 8, and can then be upon to prove that if unequal to:beat Darcy. he is equal If not superior to the recent importations from America.

[McGoorty]

DARCY Destroys BUCK CROUSE

DASHING DARCY.
NZ Truth , Issue 573, 10 June 1916, Page 11

DASHING DARCY.
Checks the Cruise of Crouse.
Buck Bucked m the Second Round.
(By Special Cable.)
There were 12,000 people at the Sydney Stadium on Saturday night last, the result, it might well be said, of the excessive booming of Buck Crouse, the American middleweight, .who dreamed on the way, out from America that he would put finis to ■ the career of Les Darcy, by knocking him out In the twelfth . round. It must not be concluded that ring fans are big muffs, arid take the dream stuff seriously, but the record held by Grouse was such that it was held that he stood a much better chance of extending the young world's champion than the ;;rank impostor, Alex Costica, the well-touted Roumanian, who proved ■■k big quitter.
Crouse's greatest feat, as far as Australian rlng-siders are concerned, lies m the fact tha t t he accounted m three rounds for that one-time clever welterweight, Ted Nelson. He had also accounted for Frank Loughrey, who stood up to Darcy for ?0 rounds, while m his career of more recent years he had met and defeated or had been defeated by such men as Jack Dillon, George Chip, Leo Houok, "Knock-out" Brown and Eddie McGoorty.
On his great record the Pittsburger •was entitled to be given a chance, not of beating Darcy," but at anyrate of extending and putting the world's champion on his metpe, but, nevertheless, m his training operations, and the exhibition of , thq terrific right swing which was to devastate Darcy, the good Judges of the game were Quick to perceive that Darcy would Blroply play Tyith the raocrest, wellbehaved American.
Buck Crbuse never gave it out that he expected to beat Darcy, and thereby he made no mistake. He gave himself a. good chance of breaking even, and to survive twenty rounds with the West Maitlander was what he hoped to do. •■ ' •. , . •' He was to have met Darcy at the Sydney Stadium on Saturday night, May 27, but owing to having sustained an injury to his right hana Avhile training, the match was put off till hist Saturday night, and m the meantime Crouse was boomed and touted, with the result, that people not m the know, began to think that Darcy's title was m danger, though, of course, the result proved otherwise. As stated, 12,000. or moro people rolled up to the Sydney Stadium on Saturday night, and the fact, remains to be told that Crbuse did not last as long as' Costica. The weights were: Crouse, 12st; Darcy, list 71b. During the five minu.tes of actual .fighting, Crouse twice hit the champion. In the second round Crouse was' twice floored. He arose for the third time, and, was sent out for keeps.

I go by boat now, Crouse he soon follow. Darcy knock him out quick, you see.
ALEX COSTICA

[McGoorty]

WORLD'S GREATEST MIDDLEWEIGHT: Late Les Darcy or Robert Fltzsimmohs? "The Men 1 Compared. Who was the greatest middle-weight of all time under Marquis of Queensbury rules-^-Robert Fitzsimmons, the wonderful Cornish -Australian fighting machine of a quarter of a century ago, or the brilliant Maitland boy, Les Darcy, who passed' out o% the game under such tragic circumstances some few months ago? asks a writer m Brisbane "Truth." The matter has called for a considerable amount of discussion of late among' : the leading Australian newspaper critics and fight fans, and it will not be altogether amiss to give herewith a few • notes of comparison on the two great gladiators. ' Although born m Cornwall (England) m 1862, Fitz came with his parents to New Zealand while still an infant, and it was m/ New Zealand and Australia (principally the latter) that he rfelly learned the game of fisticuffs, consequently, Australia' can lay claim to calling him quite her very own fighting product. He, unlike the deceased Darcy, did not do a great amount of boxing In Australia, as the game was not booming m his day as it is to-day, and consesequently he (Fitz) had to go further afield, and ultimately found himself m America. His first fight of any note after his arrival m Yankeeland was against "Nonpareil" Jack Dempsey; it took place on January 14, 1891, at New Orleans, and carried with' it the middle-weight championship of the world. This battle Fitz won by the knock-out route m the 13th round, after literally hammering the game Dempsey to pieces. On March 2, 1892, he accounted for the great Irish champion,' Peter Maher (heavy-weight), m 14 rounds. Then, after beating four other men m as many ~ months, Fitz had the pleasure of once more facing that clever middle-weight, Jim Hall, who had beaten him some couple of years previously In Sydney. He turned the tables on Jim, and beat him to the boards m four rounds. Between this time and '96 he cleared up all and sundry who sought boxing honors, and then came his clashes with the principal heavies of the world. On" February 21, 1896, he once more put the clever Peter Maher to sleep m one round,'! but on- December 2 of the same year had ' the ' misfortune to lose on a foul to the wonderful Sailor Sharkey, after having considerably the best of the argument for the whole of the eight rounds fought. On March 17, 1897, at Carsbn City, the pleasure of Bob's heart was gratified, and he was at last face to face with the brilliant heavy-weight, James J. Corbett, on the decision of tho battle resting the title of champion heavy-weight of the world. This was perhaps the most gruelling fight of his career, and after a give-and-take battle of 13 hard and fast rounds, m many of Which Fita got a trifle the worst of things, he early m the l"4th got his famous solar plexus on to Corbett, and as the game Oalifornian staggered and gasped- for breath Fits: stepped m with a hard right to the point, putting his plucky opponent down for keeps. By the result of this battle the auburn -haired wonder and wizard of the ring became the holder of both middle-weight and heavy-weight championship of the world titles. Nearly two years later the game Cornstalk, who was beginning to age, and, no doubt, was reaching the slipping-back jstage, .met his first "Waterloo" m America. On June 9, 1899, at Coney Island, he met the big 15-stone bollermaker, James J. Jeffries, / and the result Is no doubt remembered | by many of your readers. After, blinding the big fellow, and giving him a boxing lesson foT 10 rounds, weight told its tale, and the game old battler (list 121 b) was knocked out m the 11th session. Between this andhis meeting with the same 6pponeht, which took place at Carson City on June 25, 1902, Fitzsimmons had accounted for five men by the knock-out route m a total of 12 rounds, among his opponents being Tom Sharkey and Gus Ruhlin (the Akron Giant). The Cornstalk was once more vanquished by the burly "Jeff " who put paid to his account in' eight rounds. On the retirement of Jeffries some time later Fitz once more became the champion heavy-weight, and on December 20, 1905, he met and was defeated by Jack O'Brien at San Francisco m 13 roundsV This is the last battle of ' any note m which the wonderful Austrlian took part. But what a brilliant career." when it is borne m mind that this game old warrior never weighed over 12 stone m any of his fights. His weight ranged from list 61b to list 101 b, except m one or two cases. The career of our late and lamented. Les Darcy is no doubt- fresh .In the minds of all lovers of the noble art, and there are many who will still argue that the Maitland idol was quite as good, if not superior to, the great middle-weight of a quarter of a century ago. No doubt he was the best of his class m sight m the present generation, but it must be remembered thafc poor r*ss had still to meet the good heavlas; and were they (the heavies) as good as those of 25 years ago, would t-ea have succeeded m vanquishing them? He may have made good m this mission had the Grim Reaper not seen fit to claim him as an easy victim, b4t there Is certelnly a doubt on that score. The wonderful Maitland boy had done all that was asked of him m Australia. His defeat of such tnen.as Holland, Billy Murray, Jimmy Clabby (twice), Knock-out Brown (twice), Lob O'Donnell. Harold Hardwick, Buck Crouse, Dave Smith (twice), GeorgeChlp, and that great fighter, Eddie McOoorty (twice), stamped him as a great fighter. But all (or nearly all) of these men were middles — not "heavies." Again a number of these battles went the full journey of 20 rounds. Did Les Darcy possess the "punch"? He certainly showed that he was the possessor of a fairly good livery m his two fights with. Eddie Mc- Goorty. and also with Hardwick, Daye Smith, Buck Grouse and George Chip. But was it a sleep-producer of the calibre of a delivery by his fellow Australian
of a quarter of a century gone by? I hardly think Les had the wallop of old Bob.
Fitzslmmona had the height, the reach, speed, cleverness, and, best of all, the "punch." Darcy was handicapped m height and reach when meeting big men, and his delivery was not, m my estimation, nearly so severe as Fltzsixnmons s. He may, had he lived, have done all that was expected of htm. Poor fellow, he was never given the opportunity, so there the matter must rest for all time. Still, as as far as both gladiators had "been allowed to go, Fitasimmons was the better middle-weight, A careful perusal of their respective performances as given above must convince the most sceptical on that point In my estimation Fltzsimmons was the "best" middle-weight, for all time, under Marquis of Queensbury rules, who ever donned a glove. In a future article, to be printed m this journal, I will deal with the world's best feathers, lights and welters, and will introduce such men as Griffo, Billy Murphy, Barron, Herb McKelL Snowy Sturgeon (of the old school), arid Spargo, Llew Edwards, Herb McCoy, Tommy Uren, and others of the new. ---- http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...fmNbjsKltSZEjg

[McGoorty]

Les Darcy Vs FRED DYER I -

PUG PARS.
NZ Truth , Issue 499, 9 January 1915, Page 6

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Snowy Baker has practically decided on the following matches for coming Saturdays m Sydney:— LesDarcy v. Jeff Smith ■ (middleweight championship of the world), and Frank Loughrey v. Fred Dyer. Darcy has earned the big match, by beating Dyer so well In Brisbane. Loughrey hammered Pat Bradley m such,Btyle that all the fans who missed that 'display are now anxious to see the new puncher. Presumably the big "scrap" at the Sydney Stadium this evening will be between Salt. Smith and Darcy, for the middleweight championship of the world. --------------------------------------------------------------- Les Darcy fought his first battle m a Brisbane ring last Saturday night week when, at Baker's Stadium, before 6000 people, he met the singing Wolsh middleweight, Fred Dyer, and beat him on points m a battle that went the full twenty rounds. Dyer had made a great name m the Queensland capital, and shoived himself to be wonderfully clover, so that Darcy's victory on points over him is all the more creditable. Dave Smith accompanied Durcy as mentor and sparging partner, nnd no doubt the lessdns he has drummed and drubbed into the East Maltland youngster had a lot to do with his success.

[McGoorty]

Rafe Champions "Fights Of LES DARCY" --GUS CHRISTIE

“Sit down and I’ll towel you”

Gus Christy was a leading American middleweight with a reputation as a hard puncher and a rough customer, well versed in the dirty tricks of the trade. He twice fought the rugged Eddie McGoorty to drawn decisions in ten rounds.

Both men started strongly but within two rounds it was apparent to Christie and everyone else that he was up against a very superior opponent. The crowd blew up in the second round when Darcy landed some good blows and it seemed that the fight could end there and then. In the third round Christie employed various less reputable strategies including a head butt which opened a cut over Darcy's eye. Darcy's defence, honed by practice with Dave Smith, prevented any further damage for the remaining seventeen rounds. Christie also tried holding and hitting tactics, and wrestling. Darcy was too strong to be held and the referee let Darcy take care of himself in that area. When Christie resorted to the elbow he received a stern warning.

In the break before the 20th round Darcy's towel man jokingly complained that he was getting tired of towelling. 'Sit down and I'll towel you,' suggested Les.

Christie was a mean contestant in the ring but he earned some credit for generosity after the event.

'Well, Les, you are no doubt a wonderful fighter; but say, was it not an almighty great quarrel we just had in there.'
Gus Christie

[McGoorty]

Darcy Vs KO Marchand

BOXING
Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 94, 17 October 1914, Page 10

----------------------------------------------------------------------------" KNOCK-OUT " MARCHAND KNOCKED OUT. It will bo K.O. Marchand no longer. The title the battle-scarred French
knocker-out of his fellows won through convincing victories in many hard-fought ring battles has passed from him — wrested by Les Darey — and that stouthearted, sturdy young Australian was duly invested with his newly-won honours at the Stadium last night (sth) nmidst the plaudits of excited thousands. Dai'cy knocked out Knock-out Marchand in tho fifth round of a fight which was all fury. Marchand's arrival here was heralded in this way : " He has engaged in ovev 60 battles, 45 of which were won through knock-outs. One victim was Gabriel, the Belgian champion, who knocked out Dubourg at Paris in the second round. He also has to his credit a win over Bernard, whom all the papers declared had won when he and Jeff Smith fought in Paris just before the latter left Australia." Darcy's success must therefore be writ* ten a great victory. The Maitland lad boxed as hard and as well with Fritz Holland in their second battle, with the difference that while then his opponent never willingly ran into a punch, Marchand was always battling aggressively and taking blows to deliver some, because he is not a boxer, and never pretended to be one; ho is just a tough, strong fighter, and no more. Soon it became clear that the contest would be. a case of the survival of tho fittest. Neither shirked anything. Barcy had heard that Marchand liked his adver* sary to go to him, and he obligingly went in with the result that a fierce rally extended over every moment of every round. In the second round Marchand started another furious whirl, which Darcy proved equal to combatting, though some desperate fighting took place, during which Darcy's clucked head rammed Marchand in the body as he came crashing forward. The third saw Marchand in a frantic slogging act; he walloped blows from both sides with wild determination, and Darcy's reply to his challenge was as vigorous. It was still a high-strung duel while the fifth progressed. Marchand swung a left to the head, and while he held Darcy got busy with both hands. Four times in quick succession did Marchand's efforts cleave the atmosphere only, thanks to Darcy's timely ducking. In charged Marchand again, to be met by a beautifully timed right to the jaw, which I think was the beginning of the end. Marchand. turned and bent over to avoid Darcy's rush, and felt the full weight of a pronounced rabbit-killer. Quickly the fighting shifted to the northern side of the square, and before Marchand could recover Darcy drove a right uppercut home, and assisted his opponent's fall with a left to the jaw. Down dropped the Frenchman, and over he rolled. Mr. Harold Baker had got through a few seconds of the count, when Marchand made a £$eat effort to rise and continue, b>-t his legs would not act; he flopped to the floor once more, and a moment or two later battled hard to Teach the perpendicular again. Meanwhile Mr Baker had started the count afresh. Marchand was now fighting against the inevitable. Mind could not beat matter in that position. Nature absolutely refused her office. The plucky fellow's recovery occupied some little time. There were people who looked with su****ion upon the beaten boxer's manner of going out, but they wronged him. He certainly did get some heavy punishment in those lalst several seconds.

To fight Les Darcy is like fighting a gorilla. He is terribly strong, made of iron. He could beat any middleweight in the world, and he could even beat Carpentier!
Henri Marchand