BoxRec

As a folklore collector I have been particularly interested in boxing and fisticuff fighting in early Australia. I have collected several ballads and wondering how many more are known. I have recently recorded several of these songs for a CD 'Roll, Pitch, Whack and Boot' (Legendary Australian Sporting Songs) - you can see the cover and mail order info at http://warrenfahey.com/store/store-latest.html

The boxing songs on the CD are:
The Orange and the Green - circa 1866s between Sandy Ross (Protestant Orange) and Foley (Catholic Green).
Heenan and Sayers 1860s - a song popular on the goldfields and a version of the great British ballad.
Les Darcy - song about his untimely death.
Christening the Baby - mentions the 'boxing craze' and mentions various Australian and international boxing stars.

I have collected several other songs, mainly from between 1880-1945. Incidentally, I have never found any songs about wrestlers - a fact that always intrigued me. Some of the collected songs are available on my folklore site http://www.warrenfahey.com/sport-boxing.htm and mention Burns, Squires, Slavin, Johnson, Morrissey etc.

Another area of boxing that I am keen to document is that of superstitions connected to boxers and boxing stadiums. For example, certain boxers would only fight on certain days, wear certain colours etc. I would certainly appreciate any such superstitions.

I am also after an email contact for Jack Stitt or any other suggestions of people who might be able to assist my work.
I can be contacted at [email protected]

I recently asked for information about superstitions and songs about boxing - not one reply! Surely there are some of you custodians of boxing history know some lines or superstition stories.