BoxRec - User contributions [en]

Jack Hassen

2006-08-16T10:22:33Z

Thorneycroft:

[[file:Hassen Jack.jpg|left|photo]]
<boxer>026396</boxer>
 
Jack Hassen, an Australian lightweight champion, had only 36 professional bouts and compiled a career record of 29 (23)-7 (5).

He was a good trade unionist and a Lightweight Boxing Champion of Australia. Jack Hassen passed away in December 2002.

He was a family man, married to wife Kate for 54 years, a father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Hundreds of Jack's friends (including many wharfies) crowded into the beautiful St. Andrews Church at Malabar to pay their final tributes to this great Australian sportsman.

Jack, born in Cloncurry in Queensland, had many jobs, according to a special full-page article in Sydney's Daily Mirror in February 1986. His first job was a messenger boy for a Cairns chemist.

It did not take Jack long to establish a reputation as a fighter above the ordinary with a lethal right hand punch. His early fighting skills were honed in the tough fights of Sharman's Tents. He then came under the promotion of Tom Nevins who got him nine fights around North Queensland.

Winning them all, six by knockout, Jack moved on to Brisbane where he soon added to his reputation by knocking out well-established fighters Bernie Grant, George Kapeen and Leo Barry.

These fights brought him under the notice of trainer Ern McQuillan and he was on his way to Sydney and the lightweight title.

After knocking out French fighter Andre Famechon, Jack suffered his first defeat when the brilliant Mexican Rudy Cruz outpointed him.

Five weeks later Jack met the Victorian Archie Kemp in a bout for the Australian Lightweight Title that had been vacant since Vic Patrick retired.

Kemp was recognised as a brilliant boxer and for eight rounds he outboxed Jack. However, in the ninth and tenth rounds Jack's heavy punching took its toll. In the eleventh round Jack's lethal punches had Archie Kemp in a hopeless condition and he appealed to Referee Joe Wallis to stop the fight.

Wallis told him to continue fighting. Jack punished Archie with heavy blows and he slipped to the canvass and lay motionless. Archie Kemp died the following morning from a cerebral haemorrhage in St Vincent's Hospital.

After the tragic death of Archie Kemp, Jack was never the same. As one critic said "He fought like a man in a dream". He was knocked out by Freddy Dawson and Joe Brown and outpointed by the Mexican fighter Baby Ortez.

Jack finally lost his lightweight title to Frank Flannery who knocked him out in the 9th round.

He was one of the great Aboriginal fighters, commencing with the first Aboriginal title holder, Jerry Jerome who won the Middleweight Title in 1913 when he was 39 years of age.

Jack joined the Sydney Branch of the Waterside Workers' Federation in November 1963 and retired in July 1984, a period of intense industrial and political activity in the Sydney Branch.

He participated in a number of deputations to Canberra lobbying politicians and fought the good fight for Federation and union policy.

Jack played his part in these vital struggles that ensured a successful outcome for all maritime workers.

In a tribute to Jack, emphasis was placed upon the exploitation of fighters. "Today we should make a plea that exploitation of fighters be eliminated. That all fighters be paid their maximum rewards for their great skill and courage. They do the hard work, the hard yards and take the injuries and the punishment. They should always receive their just rewards."

In Australian sporting history, there have been many great Aboriginal sportsmen and women and there will be many more in the future. Whenever the names of these great sports people are mentioned, Jack Hassen will be known as one of the best.

Vic Patrick

2006-08-14T10:19:19Z

Thorneycroft:

[[file:Patrick.Vic.jpg|left|Vic Patrick]]

<boxer>026390</boxer>

Vic Patrick made a spectacular entry into the sport with eighteen straight wins, seventeen by KO. An untintentional foul dealt him his first loss against former World Champion [[Tod Morgan]]. A month later, Vic redeemed himself and took the Australian lightweight title from Morgan.

Vic never had an opportunity to pursue a world title, as the war years prevented him from traveling overseas to fight. However, he held both Australian lightweight and welterweight titles in "The Golden Age" of Australian boxing when competition was fierce, and never lost a defence. Vic knocked out Tommy Burns and Hockey Bennell. American lightweight contender Freddie Dawson just scraped by Vic, in an all out war.

Vic later became a gifted and respected referee for many years. He has been inducted into the Australian National Boxing Hall Of Fame.

----

'''''Bell tolls for Vic Patrick, The Greatest Of All'''''

Born: Victor Lucca, Sydney June 2, 1920 Died: Sydney, August 11 2006.

VIC PATRICK never won a world title, but he will be remembered as arguably the greatest boxer Australia produced.

Patrick was the sport's biggest drawcard during the golden era of the 1940s, regularly selling out Sydney Stadium, the old "tin shed", at Rushcutters Bay.

It is believed he died from pneumonia at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney last Friday night at the age of 86.

Inducted into the Australian Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003 along with Les Darcy, Jimmy Carruthers, Dave Sands, Jeff Fenech, Lionel Rose and Barry Michael, Patrick had much in common with Darcy.

Patrick and Darcy were the best Australians never to win a world title, both coming into their prime during a world war.

Many believe Patrick would have beaten world champion Ike Williams if given the opportunity.

After Patrick's epic defeat of Tommy Burns with a ninth-round knockout for the Australian welterweight title in 1946, referee Joe Wallis said Patrick was as great as Darcy.

"He was a southpaw with a punishing rip," recalls historian Ernie McQuillan, whose father Ern trained Patrick throughout his career.

"Vic should be remembered as Australia's best. His death is a huge blow to the sport.

"Vic was a great, great fighter. He had one of the best left hands in the business.

"If Vic hit an opponent on the chin, he stayed hit. His death leaves a huge void."

Patrick once said that beating American Tod Morgan, a one-time world title-holder, for the Australian lightweight title in 1941 was his greatest victory.

Patrick will also be remembered for one of the four fights he lost, to flamboyant American Freddie Dawson in 1947.

Dawson, the number one contender in the world, continually poked his tongue out at Patrick, who knocked him through the ropes in the 11th round with his trademark left hook.

The Australian maintained he would probably have won by a knockout if radio caller Reg Grundy had not pushed Dawson back into the ring after the American fell on his ringside microphone.

Patrick, who won by knockout an extraordinary 45 times in 52 wins, was surprised when Dawson got back up and then knocked him out in the 12th round.

It was Patrick's last defeat. He was taken to hospital and was never the same boxer again.

"Vic was ahead on points on my dad's card coming to the 11th round," McQuillan said. "Dad's instructions to Vic were to box him and to use the ring."

Fenech, a three-time world champion, regards Patrick as the greatest boxer Australia produced, despite him not having won a world title.

"There was no better puncher than Vic," Fenech said. "In my book I don't think there was ever a more popular fighter than Vic. He filled the old Sydney Stadium on his own.

"If a new and untried fighter came to my gym tomorrow and asked to be trained, I'd tell him to go away and read the book on Vic Patrick's life.

"He and I became great friends and his passing leaves a large void in my life."

[[file:Vic_Patrick1.jpg|right|Vic Patrick]]

The youngest of 11 children, Patrick was born Victor Patrick Lucca in Woolloomooloo, Sydney, in 1920.

His father Salvatore was an illiterate Italian migrant, who became a fisherman on Sydney's harbour and the Hawkesbury River where Patrick worked on his brother-in-law's oyster farm.

Everyone in Brooklyn knew when Patrick was on the river because they could hear him singing The Balalaika in a beautiful tenor voice.

His mother Maria wanted him to train as a singer, but he took up boxing when he was almost 20 after learning that a preliminary boxer could earn a pound for fighting four rounds, which was more than half a week's pay.

The story goes that Patrick fought his first three bouts under the name Alf Edwards so his mother would not know he was boxing.

He then fought under his Christian names, perhaps because of the sensitivities surrounding World War II when Australia was at war with Italy.

Patrick's first fight was against Les Shocker at Sydney's Carlton Stadium in 1940, knocking him out in the first round.

He won his first 21 fights, including 20 by knockout, before losing a controversial points decision to Morgan at Leichhardt Stadium on June 5, 1941.

Redeeming himself just 28 days later, Patrick reversed the decision against Morgan to claim the Australian lightweight title.

The pair were to meet in the ring twice more -- both decisions going Patrick's way.

Patrick won the Australian welterweight title in 1942 from Ron McLaughlin and held the Australian light and welterweight titles when those divisions attracted some of Australia's finest talent, but World War II ensured he didn't fight overseas.

Retaining the lightweight title until his retirement in 1948, and relinquishing the welterweight one in 1946, Patrick never lost a fight in defence of either.

After he retired, Patrick became a respected referee, controlling bouts featuring world champions Sandro Mazzinghi and Lionel Rose as well as Rocky Gattellari, Tony Mundine and Bobby Dunlop.

He was inducted into the Sports Australia Hall of Fame and received the OAM.

His wife Nancy -- they were childhood sweethearts -- died several years ago. He is survived by his daughters, Vicki and Ann.

== Links ==
http://www.anbhof.com/patrick.html

[[Category:Referees|Patrick, Vic]]

File:Vic Patrick1.jpg

2006-08-14T10:17:41Z

Thorneycroft:

Vic Patrick

2006-08-14T10:17:03Z

Thorneycroft:

[[file:Patrick.Vic.jpg|left|Vic Patrick]]

<boxer>026390</boxer>

Vic Patrick made a spectacular entry into the sport with eighteen straight wins, seventeen by KO. An untintentional foul dealt him his first loss against former World Champion [[Tod Morgan]]. A month later, Vic redeemed himself and took the Australian lightweight title from Morgan.

Vic never had an opportunity to pursue a world title, as the war years prevented him from traveling overseas to fight. However, he held both Australian lightweight and welterweight titles in "The Golden Age" of Australian boxing when competition was fierce, and never lost a defence. Vic knocked out Tommy Burns and Hockey Bennell. American lightweight contender Freddie Dawson just scraped by Vic, in an all out war.

Vic later became a gifted and respected referee for many years. He has been inducted into the Australian National Boxing Hall Of Fame.

----

'''''Bell tolls for Vic Patrick, The Greatest Of All'''''

Born: Victor Lucca, Sydney June 2, 1920 Died: Sydney, August 11 2006.

VIC PATRICK never won a world title, but he will be remembered as arguably the greatest boxer Australia produced.

Patrick was the sport's biggest drawcard during the golden era of the 1940s, regularly selling out Sydney Stadium, the old "tin shed", at Rushcutters Bay.

It is believed he died from pneumonia at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney last Friday night at the age of 86.

Inducted into the Australian Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003 along with Les Darcy, Jimmy Carruthers, Dave Sands, Jeff Fenech, Lionel Rose and Barry Michael, Patrick had much in common with Darcy.

Patrick and Darcy were the best Australians never to win a world title, both coming into their prime during a world war.

Many believe Patrick would have beaten world champion Ike Williams if given the opportunity.

After Patrick's epic defeat of Tommy Burns with a ninth-round knockout for the Australian welterweight title in 1946, referee Joe Wallis said Patrick was as great as Darcy.

"He was a southpaw with a punishing rip," recalls historian Ernie McQuillan, whose father Ern trained Patrick throughout his career.

"Vic should be remembered as Australia's best. His death is a huge blow to the sport.

"Vic was a great, great fighter. He had one of the best left hands in the business.

"If Vic hit an opponent on the chin, he stayed hit. His death leaves a huge void."

Patrick once said that beating American Tod Morgan, a one-time world title-holder, for the Australian lightweight title in 1941 was his greatest victory.

Patrick will also be remembered for one of the four fights he lost, to flamboyant American Freddie Dawson in 1947.

Dawson, the number one contender in the world, continually poked his tongue out at Patrick, who knocked him through the ropes in the 11th round with his trademark left hook.

The Australian maintained he would probably have won by a knockout if radio caller Reg Grundy had not pushed Dawson back into the ring after the American fell on his ringside microphone.

Patrick, who won by knockout an extraordinary 45 times in 52 wins, was surprised when Dawson got back up and then knocked him out in the 12th round.

It was Patrick's last defeat. He was taken to hospital and was never the same boxer again.

"Vic was ahead on points on my dad's card coming to the 11th round," McQuillan said. "Dad's instructions to Vic were to box him and to use the ring."

Fenech, a three-time world champion, regards Patrick as the greatest boxer Australia produced, despite him not having won a world title.

"There was no better puncher than Vic," Fenech said. "In my book I don't think there was ever a more popular fighter than Vic. He filled the old Sydney Stadium on his own.

"If a new and untried fighter came to my gym tomorrow and asked to be trained, I'd tell him to go away and read the book on Vic Patrick's life.

"He and I became great friends and his passing leaves a large void in my life."

The youngest of 11 children, Patrick was born Victor Patrick Lucca in Woolloomooloo, Sydney, in 1920.

His father Salvatore was an illiterate Italian migrant, who became a fisherman on Sydney's harbour and the Hawkesbury River where Patrick worked on his brother-in-law's oyster farm.

Everyone in Brooklyn knew when Patrick was on the river because they could hear him singing The Balalaika in a beautiful tenor voice.

His mother Maria wanted him to train as a singer, but he took up boxing when he was almost 20 after learning that a preliminary boxer could earn a pound for fighting four rounds, which was more than half a week's pay.

The story goes that Patrick fought his first three bouts under the name Alf Edwards so his mother would not know he was boxing.

He then fought under his Christian names, perhaps because of the sensitivities surrounding World War II when Australia was at war with Italy.

Patrick's first fight was against Les Shocker at Sydney's Carlton Stadium in 1940, knocking him out in the first round.

He won his first 21 fights, including 20 by knockout, before losing a controversial points decision to Morgan at Leichhardt Stadium on June 5, 1941.

Redeeming himself just 28 days later, Patrick reversed the decision against Morgan to claim the Australian lightweight title.

The pair were to meet in the ring twice more -- both decisions going Patrick's way.

Patrick won the Australian welterweight title in 1942 from Ron McLaughlin and held the Australian light and welterweight titles when those divisions attracted some of Australia's finest talent, but World War II ensured he didn't fight overseas.

Retaining the lightweight title until his retirement in 1948, and relinquishing the welterweight one in 1946, Patrick never lost a fight in defence of either.

After he retired, Patrick became a respected referee, controlling bouts featuring world champions Sandro Mazzinghi and Lionel Rose as well as Rocky Gattellari, Tony Mundine and Bobby Dunlop.

He was inducted into the Sports Australia Hall of Fame and received the OAM.

His wife Nancy -- they were childhood sweethearts -- died several years ago. He is survived by his daughters, Vicki and Ann.

== Links ==
http://www.anbhof.com/patrick.html

[[Category:Referees|Patrick, Vic]]

Eric Lucas

2006-02-24T09:08:46Z

Thorneycroft:

[[file:Lucas.eric.jpg|left|frame|Photo: Guillaume Bégin]]
<boxer>006405</boxer>

Eric Lucas, a former WBC super-middleweight world champion, announced Friday he's retiring after a career that surpassed his expectations.

His decision comes just a few weeks after he was beaten in the 10th round of his WBA challenge to super-middleweight champ [[Mikkel Kessler]] in Copenhagen.

''I think I had a good career and I'm happy today with what I've accomplished,'' Lucas told a news conference. ''It was a lot better than I could have imagined. “

Eric finished his career with 38-7-3, 14 knockouts. (Kessler now has 37 straight victories).

Lucas won the WBC title from Briton [[Glenn Catley]] in 2001. He defended it three times before losing a controversial split decision to [[Markus Beyer]] in Germany in April 2003. In August 2003, Beyer’s f ace was carved by [[Danny Green]], and Beyer went on a long recuperation, while Lucas and Green were matched up for the WBC Interim title in Christmas week 2003. Green won in six.

Lucas said he'll continue in the sport as a promoter and head of Interbox, and will look after his sports restaurants.

'I was a pretty ordinary amateur boxer compared to others and I only won one Canadian championship,” said Lucas. “But I'm a guy who doesn't give up. ''Nobody, not even me, could have imagined everything that I accomplished. I'm very, very proud.''

Health has been a concern for the Quebecer in recent years as he has battled hand, chest and shoulder injuries as well as a thyroid problem that requires regular medication.

- Thursday February 3, 2006.

[[Category:World Super Middleweight Champions|Lucas, Eric]]
[[Category:Canadian World Champions|Lucas, Eric]]

Colin Bell

2006-02-04T23:33:54Z

Thorneycroft:

<boxer>040048</boxer>
'''Trainer:''' [[Larry Foley]] 
'''Manager:''' [[Harry Ivory]]

Colin Bell (The Moree Mountain) was born in Narrabri, Australia on the 6th October 1883. The same place of birth as the three times World heavyweight title challenger [[Bill Squires]]. Standing at 5’10” tall and weighing in around 190lb, Bell would have to be one of the most underrated of all Australian heavyweights.

After some tent fighting, Bell had his first official professional bout on May 6th 1909, beating [[Sam Hillings]] over 10 rounds. His first big wins over “name” opponents came in 1912, when he beat both [[Ern Waddy]] and [[Pat Doran]].

In 1913, Bell made the step up to fighting truly World class fighters. He lost twice to [[Sam McVey]] that year (L KO 16 & L KO 2), and drew with the all time great Canadian [[Sam Langford]] over 15 rounds, which was possibly the best performance of his career. 1914 saw him lose a hotly disputed decision to [[Joe Jeannette]] over 20 rounds, lose to Langford by KO, and lose to Briton Bombardier [[Billy Wells]] (Bell fought this bout in a very sick condition).

North America was Bell’s next port of call. It was there that he beat [[Dan “Porky” Flynn]] and the great [[Gunboat Smith]]. He also drew with [[Battling Levinsky]] while there. Bell then returned home to Australia, where he lost to the clever boxing [[Dave Smith]].

His next big win came against [[Les O’Donnell]] in 8 rounds. In 1917 he fought against [[Albert Lloyd]] for the Australian heavyweight title and lost in 12 rounds. Bell was now 35 years old, but somehow managed to find a new lease in life. He beat [[George Cook]] twice on points, and then finally won the Australian heavyweight title by knocking out [[Gordon Coghill]] in four rounds. He then proceeded to beat [[PO Curran]], [[Max Gornick]] and [[Tom Heeney]] twice. He then lost his title to [[Jim Dwyer]] in what was to be Bell’s last fight.

After finishing his boxing career, he took up a job as a bouncer at the Leichhardt Stadium. Bell passed away in Manly, in 1948.

The 1910-1912 bouts, as well as some 1913-14 bouts, come from T. S. Andrews's WORLD'S ANNUAL SPORTING RECORDS (1915), pp. 214-215.

==External links==

* [http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn3258768 Portrait of Colin Bell, 'The Moree Mountain'] / Nada Studios
* [http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn3259169 West End Bitter Beer advertisement featuring boxing identities, South Australia] - includes Colin Bell, seated to right

Bill Farnan

2006-02-04T09:52:17Z

Thorneycroft:

<boxer>039897</boxer>

Bill Farnan was born on September 23rd 1851, at the McIvor Diggings, Victoria, Australia. When he was still a baby his family moved to South Melbourne. Farnan took to working in a foundry after he left school.

His work in the foundry helped him to develop a strong, muscular and powerful body. He continued to work in the foundry during his boxing career, though he would stop working a week before his fights.

Standing at 5’8” tall and weighing around 170 pounds, Farnan was an extremely tough man, who just loved to fight for the sake of fighting, but he was also surprisingly a teetotaller. He developed a reputation for having a murderous punch in each hand. His style was that of a pure slugger, who relied on brute force, immense strength and ferocious power to smash his opponents into oblivion, however his one drawback was that he was slow in the ring. It has been said that three quarters of his TOTAL bouts ended in knockout wins for him.

Farnan’s greatest moment of glory happened on July 26th 1884, when aged 32 years old, he took on the immortal Peter Jackson at the Victoria Hall in Bourke street, in Farnan’s home city of Melbourne. At stake was the inaugural heavyweight title of Australia, under Queensberry rules and a side wager of 100 pounds each. In the first round Farnan was knocked down quickly by the Sydney based boxer. He copped plenty of punishment for the first two rounds from the brilliant Jackson who was 23 years old. In the third round however, Farnan’s body punches started to trouble Jackson. Near the end of the third round Farnan hit Jackson with a thunderous right hand into his ribs. Jackson was in dire straits when the bell rang to end the round. Jackson was dragged to his corner, and when he couldn’t come out for the fourth, Farnan was adjudged the winner by knockout.

Farnan and Jackson had a rematch on September 4th at the Haymarket in Sydney. Farnan again hit Jackson with vicious punches and had him in deep trouble until the 6th round when Jackson’s supporters saved their hero from another knockout by rioting, which caused the police to stop the fight. The official result being a draw. Bill Farnan lost his title in 1885 to his fellow Victorian Tom Lees, who was an ex-policeman. They fought in the outer northern suburb of Heidelberg, Victoria. Lees won by knockout in the ninth after hitting Farnan with a controversial blow. They had a rematch at the Williamstown racecourse, which attracted a massive crowd. After fighting for some time the police stopped the fight. The next day, the fight was moved to the Melbourne suburb of Essendon. They fought for fifteen more minutes before Lees again knocked out Farnan. Farnan had his last bout against the great Frank Slavin, who later lost to Jackson. Slavin demolished Bill Farnan within two rounds.

Farnan’s health was deteriorating rapidly, and he passed away in the Melbourne suburb of Kew on March 14th 1891, aged 39 years old. He is buried in the Melbourne general cemetery. Also buried in that cemetery are some other notable pugilists, such as Dan Creedon, Starlight Rollins, Bill Lang, Walter McGowan, Tut Ryan and Archie Kemp. Even the great American wrestler of the late 1800’s Clarence Whistler is buried there.

Bill Farnan has a unique and very special place in the history of boxing by being the first ever, Australian Heavyweight Champion under Marquees of Queensberry rules.

Bill was the first gloved Australian Heavyweight Champion under the Marquis of Queensberry rules.

==Reference sources==

* [http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn3257751 Portrait of Bill Farnan], heavyweight boxer, (between 1878-1887) - held and digitised as part of the [http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn3046935 Arnold Thomas boxing collection] by the National Library of Australia

Bill Doherty

2006-02-04T09:49:48Z

Thorneycroft:

<boxer>040427</boxer>

Bill Doherty was born in Richmond, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, on February 3rd 1868. He started his pugilistic career in 1885. His early record is sketchy, but he did win a Middleweight tournament in the Melbourne suburb of Footscray in the 1880’s. His first major victory was when he defeated Bill Jennings in Melbourne, for the Australian Middleweight title in 1895.

In 1896 he travelled to South Africa for a series of four bouts. While there he defeated George Cooper (WKO 1), Bill Hefferenan (WKO 18) and Tom Duggan (WKO 5). In the fourth fight he lost to the American Kid McCoy by 9th round knockout.

After one abortive attempt to win the Australian Heavyweight title (LKO 7 to Mick Dooley) in 1898, he finally won it by 6th round knockout over Dooley in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, on 5th February 1899. Over the next four years Doherty, Dooley, Tut Ryan and Peter Felix swapped the heavyweight title between them. He fought Dooley 7 times for 5 wins (5 KO) and 2 losses, Ryan 4 times for 3 wins (2 KO) and 1 loss and Felix 6 times for 3 wins (1 KO), 2 draws and 1 loss. Other big names he fought were Dan Creedon (LKO 5), Jim Scanlon (L15) and Billy McColl (LKO 4). Doherty retired after losing twice to the English and South African Heavyweight Champion Mike Williams (KO by 3 and KO by 4) in 1904.

After he retired, Doherty wrote the book ”In The Days Of The Giants” which was about the fight game in his era and also about his own career. Bill Doherty passed away in Fremantle, Western Australia July 22nd 1952 aged 84 years old.

? Incomplete record: 53 fights, 35 wins (28 KO), 14 Losses (8 KO by), 4 Draws.

==Reference sources==

* [http://www.nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn3258795 Bill Doherty, champion, Feb 5, 1899] / Charles Millington Nixon - held and digitised as part of the [http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn3046935 Arnold Thomas boxing collection] by the National Library of Australia

Peter Felix

2006-02-04T09:46:00Z

Thorneycroft:

<boxer>011637</boxer>

Peter Felix was born on the 17th July 1866 on the West Indian Island of St.Croix, the same birthplace as the immortal Peter Jackson, who he claimed to be his first cousin (Jackson was actually in Felix’s corner for some of his fights). Felix was tall for his time, standing at 6’ 3” tall, and weighing in around 180 pounds. He was said to be a flashy dresser, extravagant and a bit of an extrovert, quite the opposite of the quiet, gentlemanly Jackson. He started his pugilistic career in Australia in 1894, with a 12th round knock out win over Dan Keeley in Melbourne. The year of 1895, proved to be one of the most fruitful of his career, with three very impressive points victories over the wild man Joe Goddard, and a points victory over the superbly skilled but light punching Mick Dooley. 1896 saw him defeat Starlight Rollins, beat Mick Dooley in two out of three fights, and beat Dan Keeley for the Victorian Heavyweight title with a 5th round knock out win. The next two years saw him draw with Mick Dooley, Tut Ryan and Bill Doherty. It must also be noted that during the depression years of the 1890’s that Peter Felix also fought in unofficial bouts in travelling boxing troupe’s, which toured the agricultural shows of Australia, putting on their fights in tents.

Next up, he scored a draw with an old and sick Peter Jackson over 25 rounds in Melbourne, then he captured the coveted Australian Heavyweight title with a 7th round knock out win over Bill Doherty in Kalgoorlie. Racist attitudes had raised their ugly heads prior to this bout, when Doherty had beaten Dooley to win the Australian crown. Dooley has been quoted as saying “You’re too good for me Bill, but I would sooner lose to you than Felix. Keep” - his voice broke and died to almost a whisper – “Keep the championship white”. Doherty failed to do this. Felix defended his title successfully with a 20 round draw with Doherty, but then lost it to the ubiquitous Doherty via a 20 round points loss. Felix never won the Australian title again, though he challenged for it three times, once against Doherty for a points loss in 1902, and twice against world title challenger Bill Lang for two knock out losses in 1907 and 1908 (Felix was 41 years old when he faced Lang).

In Felix’s next notable bouts he beat the giant woodchopper Bill Heckenberg with a 2nd round knock out, drew with Arthur Cripps and beat the Maori, George Renaulf on points. Age was starting to catch up with the old warhorse, though he was still fighting in main events. The years of 1904 and 1905 saw him lose inside the distance against world title challengers “Boshter” Bill Squires (3 times) and “Gunner” James Moir. In 1907, Felix challenged the legendary Jack Johnson for World Coloured Heavyweight Championship. Felix was knocked out in 1 round.

Felix kept fighting until 1915 (aged 48 years old), though his last real “big time” fight was in 1908 in the very first main event ever held at the Sydney Stadium, in Rushcutters Bay (the stadium where Jack Johnson beat Tommy Burns). In this fight he lost on points over 20 rounds to Sid Russell.

Peter Felix retired to Sydney where he passed away on the 10th November 1926 of a heart attack aged sixty. He fought a large number of world class fighters, and held his own against most of them. He was perhaps a bit unfortunate that his career started at the advanced age of 28 years old.

Record – Total Bouts: 50, Wins 24 (9 KO), Losses 19 (12 KO by), Draws 7.

==Reference sources==

* [http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn3259060 Portrait of Peter Felix and Jerry Jerome], boxers (c1908-1911) - held and digitised as part of the [http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn3046935 Arnold Thomas boxing collection] by the National Library of Australia

Colin Bell

2006-02-04T09:43:48Z

Thorneycroft:

<boxer>040048</boxer>
'''Trainer:''' [[Larry Foley]] 
'''Manager:''' [[Harry Ivory]]

Colin Bell (The Moree Mountain) was born in Narrabri, Australia on the 6th October 1883. The same place of birth as the three times World heavyweight title challenger Bill Squires. Standing at 5’10” tall and weighing in around 190lb, Bell would have to be one of the most underrated of all Australian heavyweights. After some tent fighting, Bell had his first official professional bout on May 6th 1909, beating Sam Hillings over 10 rounds. His first big wins over “name” opponents came in 1912, when he beat both Ern Waddy and Pat Doran. In 1913, Bell made the step up to fighting truly World class fighters. He lost twice to Sam McVey that year (L KO 16 & L KO 2), and drew with the all time great Canadian Sam Langford over 15 rounds, which was possibly the best performance of his career. 1914 saw him lose a hotly disputed decision to Joe Jeannette over 20 rounds, lose to Langford by KO, and lose to Briton Bombardier Billy Wells (Bell fought this bout in a very sick condition). North America was Bell’s next port of call. It was there that he beat Dan “Porky” Flynn and the great Gunboat Smith. He also drew with Battling Levinsky while there. Bell then returned home to Australia, where he lost to the clever boxing Dave Smith. His next big win came against Les O’Donnell in 8 rounds. In 1917 he fought against Albert Lloyd for the Australian heavyweight title and lost in 12 rounds. Bell was now 35 years old, but somehow managed to find a new lease in life. He beat George Cook twice on points, and then finally won the Australian heavyweight title by knocking out Gordon Coghill in four rounds. He then proceeded to beat PO Curran, Max Gornick and Tom Heeney twice. He then lost his title to Jim Dwyer in what was to be Bell’s last fight. After finishing his boxing career, he took up a job as a bouncer at the Leichhardt Stadium. Bell passed away in Manly, in 1948.

The 1910-1912 bouts, as well as some 1913-14 bouts, come from T. S. Andrews's WORLD'S ANNUAL SPORTING RECORDS (1915), pp. 214-215.

==External links==

* [http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn3258768 Portrait of Colin Bell, 'The Moree Mountain'] / Nada Studios
* [http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn3259169 West End Bitter Beer advertisement featuring boxing identities, South Australia] - includes Colin Bell, seated to right

Albert 'Kid' Lloyd

2006-02-04T09:40:25Z

Thorneycroft:

[[file:Lloyd.Albert.Kid.jpg|left|photo]]
<boxer>043215</boxer>

Albert Lloyd was born in Melbourne, Australia, on the 25th March 1892. He stood at 5’10” tall, weighed around 175 pounds, and fought from an orthodox stance. His career started in the bush when he was a teenager. He first got noticed when he won a heavyweight tournament in 1912. Lloyd fought all over Australia in search of bouts, including unofficial fights in Snowy Flynn’s travelling boxing troupe. He first won the Australian heavyweight title with a second round KO over [[Colin Bell]] in 1917, who has a draw against [[Sam Langford]] on his record. He lost the title three weeks later against Les Darcy’s former tutor [[Dave Smith]]. He then had wins against Americans [[Eddie McGoorty]] (W 20), and [[Fritz Holland]] (W KO 8).

After two unsuccessful challenges against [[Jimmy Clabby]] (D 20 & L 20), Lloyd eventually won the title back on the third try, with a points win over Clabby (W 20), on the 1st January 1918. He held the title for over two years with defences against [[George Cook]] three times, [[Ern Waddy]] three times and Clabby once. Lloyd was then stripped of his title when he travelled to New Zealand for a series of bouts against Waddy, Cook and Clabby. Eventually in 1921, Lloyd went to fight in Great Britain and Europe with fellow Aussies [[George Cook]] and Middleweight [[Frankie Burns]]. He stayed there for two years, participating in 32 bouts, for 17 wins, 13 losses and 2 draws.

His wins while in Great Britain and Europe, included [[Horace (Soldier) Jones]] (WF 10), [[Phil Suffling]][ (W KO 3) and [[Phil Scott]] (W KO 3), while his losses included (Bombardier) [[Billy Wells]] (L KO 10), [[Jack Bloomfield]] ( L KO 6) and [[Gypsy Daniels]] ( L 20). He then returned to Australia fighting anywhere and everywhere, even unsuccessfully challenging Waddy for the Australian title twice. After he retiring from boxing, he became a Barman at the famous Melbourne hotel, Young & Jackson’s on Swanston Street. He passed away on the 6th September 1959. His ashes are kept at the Springvale Crematorium in Melbourne.

Record: 125 fights, 83 Wins (47 KO), 33 Losses, 8 Draws.

Harold Hardwick

2006-02-04T09:29:15Z

Thorneycroft:

<boxer>094640</boxer>

Harold Hardwick was born in Sydney on 17th March 1889. He stood at 6’0” tall and weighed around 170-180lb. He was also one of Australia’s best ever all-round sportsmen, playing first grade Rugby, winning a Gold Medal at the 1912 Olympic Games for Swimming, and also being a more than handy pugilist.

As an amateur boxer he won the Gold medal at the Festival Of The Empire Games in 1911 in London (this was the forerunner to the Commonwealth games). His bouts in that tournament were against English favourite [[William Hazell]] and Canadian [[Julius Thompson]]. He won both bouts with first round knockouts. He returned home to win the New South Wales and Australian amateur heavyweight titles. He turned professional in 1914, and amazingly fought for the vacant Australian Heavyweight title against [[Les O’Donnell]] in his first fight ([[Dave Smith]] had vacated the title to train [[Les Darcy]]). Even more amazing is the fact that Hardwick completely dominated his more experienced foe to take out a comfortable 20 round point’s decision. In winning this fight, Hardwick became the only man (even to this day), to win an Australian title in his first bout. His next fight was against the former Australian Version World Middleweight titleholder [[Mick King]]. In an excellent performance Hardwick again dominated to win by a 20 round point’s decision. Unlike a lot of modern day fighters, Hardwick was not the subject of a carefully orchestrated career, but instead he was thrown to wolves.

His next opponent was American [[Jeff Smith]] (who had also claimed the World middleweight title). Hardwick did well to survive the full 20 rounds, losing by decision. [[Eddie McGoorty]](yet another World Middleweight title claimant), from the USA was up against Hardwick next. McGoorty used all his experience (and his good left hook) to knockout the game Australian in 7 rounds. Hardwick then got his career back on track with a 20 round point’s win over Canadian [[Joe Bonds]] in Sydney.

Hardwick then travelled to New Zealand to knockout their heavyweight champion [[Albert Pooley]], in 7 rounds. He then returned to Sydney to lose to [[Harry Reeve]] by 20 round point’s decision. Harold’s next bout was perhaps his most famous, against the Maitland boy [[Les Darcy]], who was belting the living suitcase out of everyone he faced. With the Australian heavyweight title at stake, Darcy proceeded to pummel Hardwick and knock him out in 7 rounds, but not before Hardwick had knocked two of Darcy’s teeth out in the 5th round. It was supposedly the infection from having these teeth riveted back into his gum that killed Les Darcy in 1917. Hardwick retired after this fight, however he came back for one fight in 1919, losing to [[Arthur Townley]] by 12th round TKO in London. Hardwick then retired for good. He lived out his life in Sydney, and passed away there in 1959.

Total Bouts: 9, Wins 4 (1), Losses 5 (3).

George Cook

2006-02-04T09:24:03Z

Thorneycroft:

[[file:Cook.George.jpg|left|George Cook]]
<boxer>017603</boxer>

George Cook was born in Cobraha, Australia, on 23rd January 1898. He stood at only 5’ 9” tall, had a reach of 73 ½”, and weighed around 190 pounds. Due to his lack of height, Cook tended to prefer infighting. His career started in 1916 with a 15 round points loss to [[Jim Tracey]].

During a globe trotting career which lasted until 1938, he fought in all corners of the world including Australia, France, England, Germany, Argentina, South Africa, Sweden, U.S.A, Italy, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada and Wales, and that was before the aeroplane shrunk the globe. He fought some very good fighters throughout his career, including [[Georges Carpentier]] (L KO4), [[Tom Heeney]] (W 15), [[Jack Sharkey]] (L 10), [[Primo Carnera]] (L KO2 & L KO4), [[Johnny Risko]] (WF 5), [[Paolino Uzcudun]] (W 15 & W 10), [[Young Stribling]] (L10, L10, L KO8 & ND 10) and [[Walter Neusel]] (L 12). He also unsuccessfully challenged for the British Empire title 4 times against [[Joe Beckett]] (LF 6), [[Phil Scott]] (LF 17), [[Larry Gains]] (L 15) and [[Jack Petersen]] (L 15).

He did however win the Australian heavyweight title in 1926 with a 20 round points win over American [[Jack (Tiger) Payne]] who had only held the title for a record 8 days. Cook relinquished the title when he sailed overseas again. He eventually retired in 1938 after a loss to [[Jack London]] (L KO2). George Cook certainly had one of the most interesting careers of all Australian boxers.

Cook passed away in England in 1943 aged 45 years old.

Record: TB 116, W 49 (13), L 51 (15), D 12, ND 4

Dave Russell

2006-02-04T09:19:07Z

Thorneycroft:

<boxer>005123</boxer>

Dave (The Destroyer) Russell won the W.B.F World Cruiserweight title from the American titleholder “Dangerous” [[Dan Murphy]] at the ripe old age of 32 years old at the Knox Stadium in Melbourne, via point’s decision on an extremely hot night on the 11th December 1992. This win capped off a distinguished career as one of Australia’s premier Cruiserweights ever.

Russell was born on the 16th June 1960 in England, however, he moved to Australia as an infant. After an amateur career in which he represented his home state of Victoria, Russell turned professional as a heavyweight on the 23rd October 1983 in a fight against Sydney southpaw [[Leo Moore]]. Russell won within four rounds of the scheduled eight. Before long, Russell had attracted a large number of fans to his bouts. He had approximately 95 tattoos, a drooping black moustache and a shaven head (long before it became trendy in Australia). His looks however, belied the fact that he was a really good bloke and a gentleman in and out of the ring. He regularly visited prisons in Victoria, including the notorious Pentridge Prison, to give boxing exhibitions, sign autographs and give advice when needed.

He won a few more bouts before touring the United Kingdom in 1984, to gain some international experience. Russell had three fights in England, winning two points decisions against [[Frank Robinson]] and [[Lee White]] respectively and he also scored a draw against [[John Westgarth]]. While in England, Russell also sparred with future [[W.B.C Heavyweight Champion]] [[Frank Bruno]]. After returning to Australia he knocked out Mandingo in 3 rounds in Melbourne. Next up, Dave Russell hit the big time when he challenged veteran [[Steve Aczel]] for both the [[Australian and Orient & Pacific Boxing Federation]] (O.P.B.F) heavyweight titles on the 15th February 1985 in Melbourne. Russell dominated his more experienced opponent to win by a TKO in the 6th round. The OPBF title is the WBC regional title for the Asia-Pacific region.

Big Dave then won his next four bouts, before “Mean” [[Dean Waters]] challenged him for the Australian heavyweight title. They fought in the town of Swan Hill on the Murray River on the 15th March 1986. Russell was leading the fight when Waters stopped him in the 10th round, to take his crown. Russell was a small heavyweight at around 200-210 pounds, and it came as no surprise when he dropped down in weight to fight in the Cruiserweight division. His first fight at Cruiserweight was against the tough Zambian [[Chisanda Mutti]] for the Commonwealth title in Melbourne on the 9th May 1986. Before a national television audience, Russell showed immense courage before being stopped in the 11th round. In his next fight he fought for the [[Australian and Orient & Pacific Boxing Federation]] (O.P.B.F) Cruiserweight titles against [[Kevin Wagstaff]] in Melbourne on the 30th April 1987. Russell blasted Wagstaff out with a second round KO. After a few more wins he defended against [[Apollo Sweet]]. Again, Russell was leading until he run out of steam, and was stopped in the 9th round. After a few more fights, including a win over American [[Jack Johnson]] on the Fenech-Navarro undercard and two wins over South Australian “Irish” [[Kevin Barry]], Russell had a rematch with [[Apollo Sweet]] for the Australian Cruiserweight title at Dallas Brooks Hall in Melbourne. Sweet had a cut opened up in the first round by an accidental head butt and the fight was declared a draw after one round. To say the crowd was extremely unhappy is a bit of an understatement.

In 1991, Russell challenged Briton, [[Derek Angol]] for the Commonwealth title. Angol stopped Russell in the fourth round. The year of 1992 proved to be possibly the best year of his career. After beating [[Jack Johnson]] and [[Ted Cofie]], he again challenged for the Australian Cruiserweight title. This time he fought “Vicious” [[Vivian Schwalger]] from Queensland in front of 4,000 people at the Knox Stadium. Russell dominated the fight, eventually stopping Schwalger in the sixth round to win the Australian Cruiserweight title for the second time. His next fight was the pinnacle of his career, when he outpointed the American [[Dan Murphy]] for the [[W.B.F Cruiserweight title]] in Melbourne. There was even a brawl in the crowd that night.

His first defence of his new title was against the talented Englishman [[Johnny Nelson]] on the 30th April, at Melbourne’s [[Festival Hall]], known locally as the “House Of Stoush”. After eleven hard fought rounds Nelson eventually stopped the game Australian.

Russell retired after this fight with his head held high. He was arguably the most popular Melbourne boxer of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. He had held the Australian and O.P.B.F Heavyweight titles, the Australian (twice), and O.P.B.F Cruiserweight titles, and the W.B.F World Cruiserweight title. He was one boxer who always gave the boxing fans their money’s worth.

Dave Russell keeps in touch with the fight game by helping out at the Melbourne boxing gymnasium.

Record: Total Bouts-33, Wins-22 (13 KO), Lost-8, Draws-3.

Vince Cervi

2006-02-03T08:31:43Z

Thorneycroft:

[[file:VINCECERVI.png|left|Description]]

<boxer>023700</boxer>

Vince Cervi (The Voodoo Man) was born 22nd November 1966. He weighed around 216 pounds during his career and hailed from the city of Melbourne, Australia.

He started his professional boxing career in 1985 when only 18 years old as a Light Heavyweight/Cruiserweight. His first fight was a 1st round TKO win over [[Glenn Irvine]] in Geelong. Next he fought in his home town of Melbourne against [[Paul Donnelly]] and again he won by 1st round TKO. Next up he experienced his first loss via a 6 round points decision to [[Paul James.]] His next two fights were against [[Kevin Hargreaves]]. He lost the first by 6 round Points decision, and also lost the second when Hargreaves knocked him out in 4 rounds. He then retired for 5 years. When he came back in 1991 as a Heavyweight he said of his previous attempt at boxing “I was a teenager and too young for the sport. Now I have more confidence and no doubts about what I’m doing”. His words proved to be correct. His first fight back was at the [[Fitzroy Central Hall]] in September 1991, when he outpointed the Melbourne based boxer [[Steve Hudson]] with a close decision win. His next fight was against Queenslander [[Mitchell O’Hello]] at Melbourne’s [[Festival Hall]]. Cervi won by 1st round KO with a murderous right.

He then fought a rematch with [[Steve Hudson]] at [[Princess Park]] in Melbourne, on the undercard of Fenech-Nelson II in front of 38,000 fans. The result was a majority points draw over 4 rounds, with two judges scoring it a draw and the third scoring a win for Cervi. In the lead up to that fight Cervi was a sparring partner of [[Virgil Hill]], who was preparing for his fight with [[Aundrey Nelson]]. Cervi benefited greatly from sparring with Hill. His next fight was against [[Theo Tsakis]] for a draw over 4 rounds. Three months later he TKO’d [[Tommy Hammer ]]in the first round in West Brunswick, Melbourne.

One month later he fought the classy former Australian Cruiserweight Champion [[Gary Wills]]. Wills, who came from Brisbane, was an experienced fighter who had fought and beat the best in Australia. When they met in Melbourne, Wills was favourite to win. Cervi however, didn’t read the script and in a boilover he TKO’d Wills in one round. He then knocked out [[Pilua Taito]] in one round in the Melbourne suburb of Preston. Everyone who doubted him before, were now sitting up and taking notice of the Voodoo man, who packed an extremely powerful punch.

Vince Cervi’s next fight was the most important in his relatively short career. He was to meet his fellow Melbourne Heavyweight [[James Grima]], who also had a reputation as a very hard puncher, for the vacant Heavyweight championship of Australia in West Brunswick. In the end Cervi was the man who landed the more telling blows to win the fight by a third round TKO. He was now the Australian Heavyweight champion after 13 fights. In his first defence he met the veteran “Aussie” [[Joe Bugner]], who by this time was fighting out of Queensland. Unfortunately for Vince, Bugner’s size (259 pounds), strength and vast experience won him a unanimous decision over 12 rounds (119-109,119-111,and 117-111) at [[Carrara stadium]], Gold Coast in front of 3,500 people. So, Vince Cervi lost his Australian title in his first defence, but he was unlucky for it to be against the vastly experienced Bugner.

After losing his title, Cervi travelled west for his next fight, to beat yet another Queenslander [[Colin Wilson]] in Perth, Western Australia by an 8 round points decision. One month later he fought in Melbourne again to KO [[Matthew Reid]] in 2 rounds. Next, he travelled north to Nerang, Queensland to fight [[Colin Wilson]] again, though this time the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation Heavyweight title was at stake. Cervi won the fight and the OPBF heavyweight title with a 12 round point’s decision. Nearly one year later, Wilson and Cervi had their third fight, this time for the Australian heavyweight title. Again they fought in Queensland, this time in Southport. Wilson won via a 12 round point’s decision. Vince Cervi retired not long after. His final record was: 18 fights, 11 wins (8 KO), 5 losses (1 KO by), 2 draws. He scored 6 first round KO’s out of his 8 KO’s, which was a pretty good effort. He had dynamite power in both hands and was entertaining to watch.

Vince Cervi might not have been a world beater, but he did fight and beat the best Australia had to offer, and he has a small place in boxing history by being an Australian Heavyweight champion. Alongside such famous names as: [[Peter Jackson]], [[Paddy Slavin]], [[Joe Goddard]], [[Bill Squires]], [[Bill Lang]], [[Les Darcy]], [[Dave Sands]], and even his own conqueror [[Joe Bugner]], who all held the title at some time.

File:VINCECERVI.png

2006-02-03T08:30:08Z

Thorneycroft: VINCECERVI

VINCECERVI

Vince Cervi

2006-02-03T08:29:04Z

Thorneycroft:

<boxer>023700</boxer>

Vince Cervi (The Voodoo Man) was born 22nd November 1966. He weighed around 216 pounds during his career and hailed from the city of Melbourne, Australia.

He started his professional boxing career in 1985 when only 18 years old as a Light Heavyweight/Cruiserweight. His first fight was a 1st round TKO win over [[Glenn Irvine]] in Geelong. Next he fought in his home town of Melbourne against [[Paul Donnelly]] and again he won by 1st round TKO. Next up he experienced his first loss via a 6 round points decision to [[Paul James.]] His next two fights were against [[Kevin Hargreaves]]. He lost the first by 6 round Points decision, and also lost the second when Hargreaves knocked him out in 4 rounds. He then retired for 5 years. When he came back in 1991 as a Heavyweight he said of his previous attempt at boxing “I was a teenager and too young for the sport. Now I have more confidence and no doubts about what I’m doing”. His words proved to be correct. His first fight back was at the [[Fitzroy Central Hall]] in September 1991, when he outpointed the Melbourne based boxer [[Steve Hudson]] with a close decision win. His next fight was against Queenslander [[Mitchell O’Hello]] at Melbourne’s [[Festival Hall]]. Cervi won by 1st round KO with a murderous right.

He then fought a rematch with [[Steve Hudson]] at [[Princess Park]] in Melbourne, on the undercard of Fenech-Nelson II in front of 38,000 fans. The result was a majority points draw over 4 rounds, with two judges scoring it a draw and the third scoring a win for Cervi. In the lead up to that fight Cervi was a sparring partner of [[Virgil Hill]], who was preparing for his fight with [[Aundrey Nelson]]. Cervi benefited greatly from sparring with Hill. His next fight was against [[Theo Tsakis]] for a draw over 4 rounds. Three months later he TKO’d [[Tommy Hammer ]]in the first round in West Brunswick, Melbourne.

One month later he fought the classy former Australian Cruiserweight Champion [[Gary Wills]]. Wills, who came from Brisbane, was an experienced fighter who had fought and beat the best in Australia. When they met in Melbourne, Wills was favourite to win. Cervi however, didn’t read the script and in a boilover he TKO’d Wills in one round. He then knocked out [[Pilua Taito]] in one round in the Melbourne suburb of Preston. Everyone who doubted him before, were now sitting up and taking notice of the Voodoo man, who packed an extremely powerful punch.

Vince Cervi’s next fight was the most important in his relatively short career. He was to meet his fellow Melbourne Heavyweight [[James Grima]], who also had a reputation as a very hard puncher, for the vacant Heavyweight championship of Australia in West Brunswick. In the end Cervi was the man who landed the more telling blows to win the fight by a third round TKO. He was now the Australian Heavyweight champion after 13 fights. In his first defence he met the veteran “Aussie” [[Joe Bugner]], who by this time was fighting out of Queensland. Unfortunately for Vince, Bugner’s size (259 pounds), strength and vast experience won him a unanimous decision over 12 rounds (119-109,119-111,and 117-111) at [[Carrara stadium]], Gold Coast in front of 3,500 people. So, Vince Cervi lost his Australian title in his first defence, but he was unlucky for it to be against the vastly experienced Bugner.

After losing his title, Cervi travelled west for his next fight, to beat yet another Queenslander [[Colin Wilson]] in Perth, Western Australia by an 8 round points decision. One month later he fought in Melbourne again to KO [[Matthew Reid]] in 2 rounds. Next, he travelled north to Nerang, Queensland to fight [[Colin Wilson]] again, though this time the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation Heavyweight title was at stake. Cervi won the fight and the OPBF heavyweight title with a 12 round point’s decision. Nearly one year later, Wilson and Cervi had their third fight, this time for the Australian heavyweight title. Again they fought in Queensland, this time in Southport. Wilson won via a 12 round point’s decision. Vince Cervi retired not long after. His final record was: 18 fights, 11 wins (8 KO), 5 losses (1 KO by), 2 draws. He scored 6 first round KO’s out of his 8 KO’s, which was a pretty good effort. He had dynamite power in both hands and was entertaining to watch.

Vince Cervi might not have been a world beater, but he did fight and beat the best Australia had to offer, and he has a small place in boxing history by being an Australian Heavyweight champion. Alongside such famous names as: [[Peter Jackson]], [[Paddy Slavin]], [[Joe Goddard]], [[Bill Squires]], [[Bill Lang]], [[Les Darcy]], [[Dave Sands]], and even his own conqueror [[Joe Bugner]], who all held the title at some time.

User talk:Thorneycroft

2006-02-03T08:21:01Z

Thorneycroft:

Ambrose Palmer

2006-02-02T09:14:14Z

Thorneycroft:

[[file:AMBROSEPALMER.png|left|Ambrose Palmer]]

'''Manager and Trainer'''

Ambrose Palmer was the pride of Melbourne’s western suburbs, in particular the suburb of Footscray in the years preceding World War II. He was born in Melbourne on the 19th September 1911, his father [[Bill Palmer]] was a former Lightweight champion of the State of Victoria.

In his prime, Palmer stood at 5’10 ½” tall, weighed between 160 and 171 pounds, and had a 72 ½” reach. At 15 years of age, young Palmer won the Victorian amateur Welterweight title.

He turned pro at the age of 18 years old. Before long, Palmer had built a reputation as a skilful boxer with a masterful defence, however he was vulnerable to suffering cuts quite easily.

At the age of 19 Palmer defeated the talented Australian Middleweight Champion [[Jack Haines]] in a non-title fight. In a return contest, this time with the title at stake, the result was a draw.

In their third and final fight, also for the title, Palmer knocked Haines out in the 12th round, Haines suffered a cerebral haemorrhage during the fight, but luckily survived.

On February 6th 1932, Palmer challenged [[Jack O’Malley]] for the Australian Light-Heavyweight and Heavyweight titles, Palmer won via a points decision. In his next fight, the 20 year old Middleweight Palmer, fought the 27 year old American Heavyweight, [[Young Stribling]], who had recently lost to [[Max Schmeling]] for the World Heavyweight title.

Stribling outweighed Palmer by 2 stone in weight, and had a lot more experience. After showing the utmost bravery, Palmer was eventually stopped in round 8. [[Hugh D. McIntosh]], the promoter of the [[Tommy Burns]] vs [[Jack Johnson]] fight, promoted this fight/mismatch.

Palmer beat some other worthy opponents in his career such as [[Fred Henneberry]], [[Ron Richards]] (4 times), Canadian [[Eddie Wenstob]], and American’s [[Deacon Leo Kelly]] and [[Johnny Miller]] (amateur conqueror of [[Joe Louis]]). He also lost a hotly disputed decision to [[Gus Lesvenich]].

After retiring from boxing, Palmer returned to play Australian Rules Football with the Footscray Football Club (now named the Western Bulldogs) in the AFL.

He played 83 games and kicked 44 goals in a successful football career in which he usually played in the ruck-rover position.

Ironically, his football career ended when he suffered 9 fractures of the skull and 6 fractures of the jaw in a collision with some Essendon F.C players. This injury was far worse than anything he ever suffered during his boxing career.

Later on in life, Palmer became one of Australia’s best boxing trainers. In this capacity he took [[Johnny Famechon]] to the World Featherweight Title.

Palmer’s record: Total Bouts 67, Wins 58 (23 KO), 7 Losses (2 KO by), 2 Draws.

Managed and trained [[Boxer:Johnny Famechon:011519|Johnny Famechon]]

Ambrose Palmer was inducted into the [[Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame]] in 2003.

[[Category:Managers|Palmer, Ambrose]]
[[Category:Trainers|Palmer, Ambrose]]

Ambrose Palmer

2006-02-02T09:13:08Z

Thorneycroft:

'''Manager and Trainer'''

Ambrose Palmer was the pride of Melbourne’s western suburbs, in particular the suburb of Footscray in the years preceding World War II. He was born in Melbourne on the 19th September 1911, his father [[Bill Palmer]] was a former Lightweight champion of the State of Victoria.

In his prime, Palmer stood at 5’10 ½” tall, weighed between 160 and 171 pounds, and had a 72 ½” reach. At 15 years of age, young Palmer won the Victorian amateur Welterweight title.

He turned pro at the age of 18 years old. Before long, Palmer had built a reputation as a skilful boxer with a masterful defence, however he was vulnerable to suffering cuts quite easily.

At the age of 19 Palmer defeated the talented Australian Middleweight Champion [[Jack Haines]] in a non-title fight. In a return contest, this time with the title at stake, the result was a draw.

In their third and final fight, also for the title, Palmer knocked Haines out in the 12th round, Haines suffered a cerebral haemorrhage during the fight, but luckily survived.

On February 6th 1932, Palmer challenged [[Jack O’Malley]] for the Australian Light-Heavyweight and Heavyweight titles, Palmer won via a points decision. In his next fight, the 20 year old Middleweight Palmer, fought the 27 year old American Heavyweight, [[Young Stribling]], who had recently lost to [[Max Schmeling]] for the World Heavyweight title.

Stribling outweighed Palmer by 2 stone in weight, and had a lot more experience. After showing the utmost bravery, Palmer was eventually stopped in round 8. [[Hugh D. McIntosh]], the promoter of the [[Tommy Burns]] vs [[Jack Johnson]] fight, promoted this fight/mismatch.

Palmer beat some other worthy opponents in his career such as [[Fred Henneberry]], [[Ron Richards]] (4 times), Canadian [[Eddie Wenstob]], and American’s [[Deacon Leo Kelly]] and [[Johnny Miller]] (amateur conqueror of [[Joe Louis]]). He also lost a hotly disputed decision to [[Gus Lesvenich]].

After retiring from boxing, Palmer returned to play Australian Rules Football with the Footscray Football Club (now named the Western Bulldogs) in the AFL.

He played 83 games and kicked 44 goals in a successful football career in which he usually played in the ruck-rover position.

Ironically, his football career ended when he suffered 9 fractures of the skull and 6 fractures of the jaw in a collision with some Essendon F.C players. This injury was far worse than anything he ever suffered during his boxing career.

Later on in life, Palmer became one of Australia’s best boxing trainers. In this capacity he took [[Johnny Famechon]] to the World Featherweight Title.

Palmer’s record: Total Bouts 67, Wins 58 (23 KO), 7 Losses (2 KO by), 2 Draws.

Managed and trained [[Boxer:Johnny Famechon:011519|Johnny Famechon]]

Ambrose Palmer was inducted into the [[Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame]] in 2003.

[[Category:Managers|Palmer, Ambrose]]
[[Category:Trainers|Palmer, Ambrose]]

File:AMBROSEPALMER.png

2006-02-02T09:12:09Z

Thorneycroft: ambrose palmer

ambrose palmer

Harry Ivory

2006-01-30T23:22:57Z

Thorneycroft:

[[file:IVORY.jpeg|left|200px|Harry Ivory]]

Harry Ivory was born on 17th October 1914. He died in Melbourne on 16th August 2004. In a long career as a boxing trainer, Harry handled such capable boys as [[Teddy Rainbow]], [[Ron Wilson]], [[Reg Mack]], [[Vin Scott]], and [[Frank Scott]], [[Keith Dudley]], [[Joe Pompei]], [[Gary Ford]], [[Sam Terry]], [[Bobby Liddle]] and many others too numerous to mention.

He took over Ed Sullivan's old gym in Nicholson Street, Brunswick, in the early 1950s and in later years was a gym instructor at the Brunswick Baths in Melbourne, a position he enjoyed for over 30 years.

On many occasions Harry had all his fighters filling the card at [[Festival Hall]], from the main event down to the novice bouts over three rounds. As a fighter, Harry had a number of contests at the old [[Fitzroy Stadium]], but on his own admission was not as good a fighter as his younger brother, [[Billy Ivory]].

Harry retired from training boxers in 1965. Although never having trained a boxer to the Australian title, he was regarded as a most respected trainer, as a mentor and a gentleman.

After Harry's Death, Local Council has named the old Lanway, that gave accsess to the Gym Had to as IVORY LANE.

[[Category:Managers|Ivory, Harry]][[Category:Trainers|Ivory, Harry]]

[[file:Group.JPG|thumb|Top Row: 2nd from left Doug McKoy, 4th from left, Reg Mack (Ray Holmes) , at end Al Green
Front Row: Spud Murphy, Ron Wilson (Ronald Thorneycroft),In Middle Harry Ivory, Brian McKoy and at end Mick Sheehan]]

User talk:Matt

2006-01-16T08:13:20Z

Thorneycroft:

Agree in part, it did not look like I expected. Wanted to get gramps in the picture since he started the entire family in boxing.
How can the Image/ a image be removed from the upload list totally?
Thanks in advance pod
ps. Is this where questions to you belong?

when I have future scores, how can I get them updated on boxrec without posting a page here ? thanks

If your not an editor, just post them here. Leave a note in the comment box and hopefully someone will load them in.

--[[User:Matt Tegen|Matt Tegen]] 17:09, 8 May 2005 (CDT)

hey matt, question
is it okay for me to edit, like on the delahoya-sturm page it just says contriversal deicsion and one of the most contriversal of the year 2004 ?

== Referee stub? ==

Matt, I'm now getting the hang of the manager and trainer (M/T) stubs you created. Have you created a referee stub? --[[User:Ric|Ric]] 21:12, 19 Aug 2005 (CDT)

== Venues category ==
Matt, Will you enter [[Delaware Venues]] under American Venues, haven't figured how to do that yet. Thanks, Bert

There are no Deleware venues, to create a category with that I can see right now. If there are, start a Deleware Venues category, and I will nest it into American venues.--[[User:Matt Tegen|Matt Tegen]] 11:39, 8 Sep 2005 (CDT)

Ern

Its not about adding Value its called substance, something i dont expect you would have any idea about, seeing you dont have a knowledge of anything to do with Austrlian boxing, and i do not appreciate the fact that your willingness to keep checking up on me, and editing my postings, fiar enough if you wish to tidy up the formatting, but they are not your words, there mine, and how you can continue to do that, based on your lack of knowledge of the sport in Australia. Ern is rated as one of the top Australian Trainers of all time, and the comments may not hold value, but they add substance and character, and i dont no who you think you are, but its clear you think your the boss, who are you to say what adds value? well buddy you have a chip on your shoulder, and i think its bout time you drop it.

User talk:Thorneycroft

2006-01-16T08:11:20Z

Thorneycroft:

User talk:Thorneycroft

2006-01-16T08:11:00Z

Thorneycroft:

going to revert your [[Ern McQuillan]] page. It does not fit encyclopedia standards. Your comments add no value at all to the page.--[[User:Matt Tegen|Matt Tegen]] 00:37, 16 Jan 2006 (CST)

User talk:Matt

2006-01-16T08:09:14Z

Thorneycroft:

Agree in part, it did not look like I expected. Wanted to get gramps in the picture since he started the entire family in boxing.
How can the Image/ a image be removed from the upload list totally?
Thanks in advance pod
ps. Is this where questions to you belong?

when I have future scores, how can I get them updated on boxrec without posting a page here ? thanks

If your not an editor, just post them here. Leave a note in the comment box and hopefully someone will load them in.

--[[User:Matt Tegen|Matt Tegen]] 17:09, 8 May 2005 (CDT)

hey matt, question
is it okay for me to edit, like on the delahoya-sturm page it just says contriversal deicsion and one of the most contriversal of the year 2004 ?

== Referee stub? ==

Matt, I'm now getting the hang of the manager and trainer (M/T) stubs you created. Have you created a referee stub? --[[User:Ric|Ric]] 21:12, 19 Aug 2005 (CDT)

== Venues category ==
Matt, Will you enter [[Delaware Venues]] under American Venues, haven't figured how to do that yet. Thanks, Bert

There are no Deleware venues, to create a category with that I can see right now. If there are, start a Deleware Venues category, and I will nest it into American venues.--[[User:Matt Tegen|Matt Tegen]] 11:39, 8 Sep 2005 (CDT)

Ern

Its not about adding Value its called substance, something i dont expect you would have any idea about, seeing you dont have a knowledge of anything to do with Austrlian boxing, and i do not appreciate the fact that your willingness to keep checking up on me, and editing my postings, fiar enough if you wish to tidy up the formatting, but they are not your words, there mine, and how you can continue to do that, based on your lack of knowledge of the sport in Australia. Ern is rated as one of the top Australian Trainers of all time, and the comments may not hold value, but they add substance and character, and i dont no who you think you are, but its clear you think your the boss, well buddy you have a chip on your shoulder, and i think its bout time you drop it.

Ern McQuillan

2006-01-16T05:45:08Z

Thorneycroft:

[[file:Ern.jpg|left|300px|photo]]

Ern McQuillan was a professionall boxing manager when. It could be said Ern McQuillan could probably be classed the master of them all. His boxing contacts and eye for someone who could fight was incredible.

A fella could walk into the gymnasium – get changed – and Ern would say “Get in the ring and loosen up – Now get on the bag over there and show me what you can do” He had then uncanny knack of knowing whether you could fight or not straight away.

Examine the fighters he has trained and managed. Unbelievable! Ern is an icon in Australian boxing and should never be forgotten.

[[Category:Managers|McQuillan, Ern]][[Category:Trainers|McQuillan, Ern]]

Mick Croucher

2006-01-16T05:44:28Z

Thorneycroft:

[[file:Mick-Croucher.jpg|left|Description]]
<boxer>087944</boxer>

'''''Mick Croucher'''''

Mick started his boxing career in Bairnsdale in East Gippsland at the age of 14 - at the [[Police Boys Club]].

As a Professional Mick was trained by [[Jack Rennie]] and had 35 fights for 5 loses and 1 drawn. He was the leading contender in for the Australian Light Middleweight title - however was never given a chance to fight for the title by [[Stadium Ltd]]. through his alliance with the newly formed ABF. There was also the ABC in Sydney. So unless one was loyal to Stadium Ltd. one never qualified for a title shot. Mick never found out if in fact he was the best light middle in Australia.

Politics of boxing barred him unfortunately from fighting for the deserved title shot in being the leading contender for the belt.

Mick became Lionel Rose's main sparring partner and sparred many rounds.

----
Mick has now formed the new organisation [[World Boxing Foundation]] and is the President.
A tireless worker, Mick has made inroads into quite a few countries through his desire to improve opportunity for the Pacific Asian fighters. He intends to bring credibility for his own organisation the new WBF

The WBF is an Australian owned sanctioning body belonging to Mick Croucher. Fighting / Battling Mick Croucher.

File:Mick-Croucher.jpg

2006-01-16T05:33:27Z

Thorneycroft: Mick Croucher

Mick Croucher

2006-01-16T05:32:52Z

Thorneycroft:

<boxer>087944</boxer>

'''''Mick Croucher'''''

As a Professional Mick was trained by [[Jack Rennie]] and had 35 fights for 5 loses and 1 drawn. He was the leading contender in for the Australian Light Middleweight title - however was never given a chance to fight for the title by [[Stadium Ltd]]. through his alliance with the newly formed ABF. There was also the ABC in Sydney. So unless one was loyal to Stadium Ltd. one never qualified for a title shot. Mick never found out if in fact he was the best light middle in Australia.

Politics of boxing barred him unfortunately from fighting for the deserved title shot in being the leading contender for the belt.

Ern McQuillan

2006-01-16T00:28:12Z

Thorneycroft:

[[file:Ern.jpg|left|300px|photo]]
 
Ern McQuillan was a professionall boxing manager when. It could be said Ern McQuillan could probably be classed the master of them all. His boxing contacts and eye for someone who could fight was incredible.

A fella could walk into the gymnasium – get changed – and Ern would say “Get in the ring and loosen up – Now get on the bag over there and show me what you can do” He had then uncanny knack of knowing whether you could fight or not straight away.

Examine the fighters he has trained and managed. Unbelievable! Ern is an icon in Australian boxing and should never be forgotten.

[[Category:Managers|McQuillan, Ern]][[Category:Trainers|McQuillan, Ern]]

Jack Rennie

2006-01-15T10:24:02Z

Thorneycroft:

[[file:Jack2.jpg|left|Description]]

Jack Rennie is a living legend whose whole life has been centered on boxing. He has had a life-time involvement in the sport of boxing Jack so dearly loves.

Jack was born on July 13, 1930 in Melbourne.
Jack had two amateur fights for one win and one loss. Jack boxed his first professional fight at the old [[Melbourne Stadium]] on June 22,1946.

All up Jack fought 27 times - all in Melbourne, other than one outing in [[Broken Hill]]. Jack’s last ring appearance was in Melbourne on March 3, 1950.

Jack, having learned the way fighters are trained decided to open a gym in Marco Polo Street Essendon, in 1958. Jack style of training and motivation for the fighters soon made his gym a successful enterprise.

Fighters sought out Jack for specialized training and many who made the move became household names. To name a few who passed through the front gate of the Marco Polo Gym were glovemen who become household names: There was [[Paul Ferreri]], [[Harry Hayes]], [[Jimmy Bell]], [[Johnny Smillie]], [[Mick Croucher]], [[Jimmy Thunder]], [[Bobby Hyland]], [[Arthur Thomas]] and many others.

[[Lionel Rose]] was also trained by Jack Rennie after he left Frank Oaks in Drouin - Lionel become World Champion when he beat [[Fighting Harada]] the brawling Japanese Champion. Under the watchful eye of Jack , Lionel was extremely popular in the USA.

Jack said ‘Lionel was very special to the fans in the States as they liked his style. He had a go and his skills were much appreciated by the American fans. Lionel drew capacity crowds at the L.A. Forum against the leading Mexican fighters in the world at the time.’

A young Mexican fighter [[Ruben Olivares]] who was a knockout specialist with a record of fifty straight wins - forty-nine inside the distance earned him a fight with Lionel.

Olivares won by a fifth round knockout of the tough aboriginal boxer. Olivares was recognized as one of the hardest hitting bantamweight of all time. Lionel was holding his own but the punching power of the Mexican ended the fight and Ruben became the new Champion.

The one fight cemented in Jack’s mind as the most exciting fight in being the trainer - was the Lionel Rose V’s [[Chuco Castillo]] fight – when the crowd rioted after the fight. The Americans were on the side of Lionel Rose and the large Mexican crowd supporters of Castillo were responsible for the melee.

Jack always went the bat for his charges in making sure they received the correct money for their fights. He wasn’t one of the favourite sons of [[Stadium Ltd]] and was often in conflict over minimal purses being offered for his fighters to fight.

Being of Irish breeding he normally won as he refused to give in – capacity houses were taken in consideration and Jack knew how to add up so [[Stadium Ltd]] could put nothing over the alert trainer when it come to working out purses.

There was a constant flow of fighters through the Marco Polo gym and Jack was kept busy with running the gym and arranging fights. In 1980 Jack was made a life member of the [[Australian National Boxing Hall Of Fame]] Jack become the coordinator with the [[WBF]] and [[ANBF]] for Australian officials and fighters.

Fights were organized here in Australia, Thailand and Noumea and Jack was the man behind arranging over two hundred fights. The number of fights convey for themselves - as to the capabilities and success of Jack Rennie. He was well respected and in demand by the promoters in Thailand. He knew his boxing ever so well.

[[Category:Managers|Rennie, Jack]][[Category:Trainers|Rennie, Jack]]

Jack Rennie

2006-01-15T10:21:34Z

Thorneycroft:

Jack Rennie is a living legend whose whole life has been centered on boxing. He has had a life-time involvement in the sport of boxing Jack so dearly loves.

Jack was born on July 13, 1930 in Melbourne.
Jack had two amateur fights for one win and one loss. Jack boxed his first professional fight at the old [[Melbourne Stadium]] on June 22,1946.

All up Jack fought 27 times - all in Melbourne, other than one outing in [[Broken Hill]]. Jack’s last ring appearance was in Melbourne on March 3, 1950.

Jack, having learned the way fighters are trained decided to open a gym in Marco Polo Street Essendon, in 1958. Jack style of training and motivation for the fighters soon made his gym a successful enterprise.

Fighters sought out Jack for specialized training and many who made the move became household names. To name a few who passed through the front gate of the Marco Polo Gym were glovemen who become household names: There was [[Paul Ferreri]], [[Harry Hayes]], [[Jimmy Bell]], [[Johnny Smillie]], [[Mick Croucher]], [[Jimmy Thunder]], [[Bobby Hyland]], [[Arthur Thomas]] and many others.

[[Lionel Rose]] was also trained by Jack Rennie after he left Frank Oaks in Drouin - Lionel become World Champion when he beat [[Fighting Harada]] the brawling Japanese Champion. Under the watchful eye of Jack , Lionel was extremely popular in the USA.

Jack said ‘Lionel was very special to the fans in the States as they liked his style. He had a go and his skills were much appreciated by the American fans. Lionel drew capacity crowds at the L.A. Forum against the leading Mexican fighters in the world at the time.’

A young Mexican fighter [[Ruben Olivares]] who was a knockout specialist with a record of fifty straight wins - forty-nine inside the distance earned him a fight with Lionel.

Olivares won by a fifth round knockout of the tough aboriginal boxer. Olivares was recognized as one of the hardest hitting bantamweight of all time. Lionel was holding his own but the punching power of the Mexican ended the fight and Ruben became the new Champion.

The one fight cemented in Jack’s mind as the most exciting fight in being the trainer - was the Lionel Rose V’s [[Chuco Castillo]] fight – when the crowd rioted after the fight. The Americans were on the side of Lionel Rose and the large Mexican crowd supporters of Castillo were responsible for the melee.

Jack always went the bat for his charges in making sure they received the correct money for their fights. He wasn’t one of the favourite sons of [[Stadium Ltd]] and was often in conflict over minimal purses being offered for his fighters to fight.

Being of Irish breeding he normally won as he refused to give in – capacity houses were taken in consideration and Jack knew how to add up so [[Stadium Ltd]] could put nothing over the alert trainer when it come to working out purses.

There was a constant flow of fighters through the Marco Polo gym and Jack was kept busy with running the gym and arranging fights. In 1980 Jack was made a life member of the [[Australian National Boxing Hall Of Fame]] Jack become the coordinator with the [[WBF]] and [[ANBF]] for Australian officials and fighters.

Fights were organized here in Australia, Thailand and Noumea and Jack was the man behind arranging over two hundred fights. The number of fights convey for themselves - as to the capabilities and success of Jack Rennie. He was well respected and in demand by the promoters in Thailand. He knew his boxing ever so well.

[[Category:Managers|Rennie, Jack]][[Category:Trainers|Rennie, Jack]]

Jack Rennie

2006-01-15T10:18:48Z

Thorneycroft:

Ern McQuillan

2006-01-15T09:14:59Z

Thorneycroft:

[[file:Ern.jpg|left|Description]]

Ern McQuillan was a professionall boxing manager when. It could be said Ern McQuillan could probably be classed the master of them all. His boxing contacts and eye for someone who could fight was incredible.

A fella could walk into the gymnasium – get changed – and Ern would say “Get in the ring and loosen up – Now get on the bag over there and show me what you can do” He had then uncanny knack of knowing whether you could fight or not straight away.

Examine the fighters he has trained and managed. Unbelievable! Ern is an icon in Australian boxing and should never be forgotten.

Such fighters as" [[Jack Hassen]]

[[Category:Managers|McQuillan, Ern]][[Category:Trainers|McQuillan, Ern]]

Ern McQuillan

2006-01-15T09:08:08Z

Thorneycroft:

File:Ern.jpg

2006-01-15T08:56:23Z

Thorneycroft: Ern McQuillan

Ern McQuillan

Bill Larrigo

2006-01-15T08:44:48Z

Thorneycroft:

[[file:Bill Larrigo.JPG|left|Description]]

<boxer>113607</boxer>

Bill Larrigo, a middleweight protege of [[Dave Sands]]. Larrigo's punch was like the kick of a mule, he had fairly good boxing talent.

He really had to set himself up to land his blockbusters, so if he did connect, his opponent had no one to blame but them self.

File:Bill Larrigo.JPG

2006-01-15T08:33:58Z

Thorneycroft: Billy Larigo

Billy Larigo

Lester Ellis

2006-01-15T05:03:18Z

Thorneycroft:

<boxer>005322</boxer>

Born in England, on March 15, 1965, Lester Ellis earned early success as an amateur, winning the Australian Bantamweight Championship before turning professional in 1983.

The young fighter, now fighting in the Junior Lightweight division, went through 1983 and 1984 undefeated, finishing 1984 by winning the Commonwealth title from Zambian, [[John Sichula]].

His rapid progress reached a peak on February 15, 1985 in Melbourne when he challenged the disturbingly named Korean, [[Hwan Kil Yuh]], for the IBF Junior Lightweight title. After 15 gruelling rounds, Lester Ellis was the new world champion.

However boxing can be a fickle sport, and his meteoric rise up the ranks was equally rapid on the way down…

Just five months later, Lester Ellis - after one successful title defence against [[Rod Sequenan]] - lost the world crown to another Victorian, [[Barry Michael]].

Ellis fought on for a number of years and won another world title of sorts by securing the WBF welterweight belt.

An aggressive, hard puncher, he was always an attractive drawcard in Australia.

[[file:Lester Eliis 1986.jpg|thumb|Lester Ellis 1986, what a trophy collection]]

==Reference sources==

* [http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn3061698 Crunch! Lester Ellis recoils ...], 1985 / Bruce Howard

[[Category:World Super Featherweight Champions|Ellis, Lester]]
[[Category:Australian World Champions|Ellis, Lester]]

File:Lester Eliis 1986.jpg

2006-01-15T05:01:11Z

Thorneycroft: lester Ellis

lester Ellis

Lester Ellis

2006-01-15T04:59:12Z

Thorneycroft:

<boxer>005322</boxer>

Born in England, on March 15, 1965, Lester Ellis earned early success as an amateur, winning the Australian Bantamweight Championship before turning professional in 1983.

The young fighter, now fighting in the Junior Lightweight division, went through 1983 and 1984 undefeated, finishing 1984 by winning the Commonwealth title from Zambian, [[John Sichula]].

His rapid progress reached a peak on February 15, 1985 in Melbourne when he challenged the disturbingly named Korean, [[Hwan Kil Yuh]], for the IBF Junior Lightweight title. After 15 gruelling rounds, Lester Ellis was the new world champion.

However boxing can be a fickle sport, and his meteoric rise up the ranks was equally rapid on the way down…

Just five months later, Lester Ellis - after one successful title defence against [[Rod Sequenan]] - lost the world crown to another Victorian, [[Barry Michael]].

Ellis fought on for a number of years and won another world title of sorts by securing the WBF welterweight belt.

An aggressive, hard puncher, he was always an attractive drawcard in Australia.

==Reference sources==

* [http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn3061698 Crunch! Lester Ellis recoils ...], 1985 / Bruce Howard
* [http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn3061740 Lester Ellis lays on the floor in front of a wall full of trophies ...], 1986 / Bruce Howard

[[Category:World Super Featherweight Champions|Ellis, Lester]]
[[Category:Australian World Champions|Ellis, Lester]]

Agustín Argote

2006-01-15T00:15:20Z

Thorneycroft:

[[file:Augustin Argote.JPG|left|Description]]

<boxer>069674</boxer>

File:Augustin Argote.JPG

2006-01-15T00:14:27Z

Thorneycroft: Augustin Argote

Augustin Argote

Al Bourke

2006-01-15T00:07:01Z

Thorneycroft:

[[file:Al Bourke.JPG|left|Description]]

<boxer>056073</boxer>

Al Bourke was a Tasmanian-born boxer who fought out of Victoria. First tutored by [[Jack Carroll]] and then by [[Ambrose Palmer]], he was a pretty good fighter in his own right, loosing only 4 of out of his 44 career bouts.

Was Middleweight Champion of Australia 1952-1953

File:Al Bourke.JPG

2006-01-15T00:02:16Z

Thorneycroft: Al Bourke

Al Bourke

Human:300319

2006-01-14T23:54:27Z

Thorneycroft:

[[file:Bill Crossley.jpeg|left|Description]]

Bill Crossley, a former promising Middleweight, now on the comeback trail under the guidance of [[Dave Shine]]

File:Bill Crossley.jpeg

2006-01-14T23:53:15Z

Thorneycroft: Bill Crossley

Bill Crossley

Dave Allen

2006-01-14T23:48:04Z

Thorneycroft:

[[file:Dave Allen.jpeg|left|Description]]

<boxer>125923</boxer>

Australian Welterweight, Trained by [[Dave Shine]]

File:Dave Allen.jpeg

2006-01-14T23:45:27Z

Thorneycroft: Dave Allen

Dave Allen