Jack Matthews, Father of Sir Stanley Matthews

[Chuck1052]

I have read that the great soccer player, Sir Stanley
Matthews, had a father named Jack Matthews who
was a boxer and a barber. Looking at the BoxRec
records, I fought one Jack Matthews of Hanley who
had four recorded bouts, all in Liverpool. I think it
would be great if one compiled a complete record
of Jack's bouts.

By the way, Jack lost a decision in a ten-round
bout with Llew Edwards, a capable lightweight
from Wales who later fought in both Australia and the
U.S. after World War I. All of the other three recorded
bouts of Jack also lasted ten rounds.

- Chuck Johnston

[lamphey]

He was billed as "The Fighting Barber" - one of the top Feathers in the UK of his time.

Now you've pointed it out, I'm surprised to see so few of his bouts listed on Boxrec.

[Seamus]

I read many years ago, that Sir Stanley acquired his great stamina from doing roadwork with his father, who was a boxer, from the time he was quite young. He said he remembered running with his Dad on cold mornings, but really helped condition him.

[Chuck1052]

Before Pele came onto the scene, Sir Stanley Matthews
may have been the most famous soccer player who
ever lived. Of course, Matthews' ability to dribble
the ball was considered second to none by many
people.

- Chuck Johnston

[Seamus]

In 1956 England defeated Brazil 4-2 at Wembley, in a match in which it was said Sir Stanley Matthews turned the man marking him, Nilton Santos, inside out. At the time, Santos, who is considered an alltime great defender, was 28, Matthews was 41 !

[Chuck1052]

I wonder about how many professional fights Jack Matthews
had. If he was one of the best British featherweights of his
day, I would think that he had quite a few.

As impressive as Stanley Matthews: playing career was,
one has to keep in mind that he and alot of other British
players of his time lost six years prime years to World
War II. Moreover, can you believe that the maximum
wage edict meant that even a great player like Matthews
made relatively little money in England?

- Chuck Johnston