Claude Nichol

Name: Claude Nichol
Alias: Tiny Nichol
Hometown: Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Birthplace: Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, Australia
Height: 183cm
Reach: 188cm
Pro Boxer: Record

Manager: George Barnes

Claude Nichol started his career in the army and amateur ring and although he was beaten by a heavyweight named Wilson for the amateur title, he won the army heavyweight championship for two years in succession.

In 1935, he won the State heavyweight title from George Thompson. Towards the end of 1936 Nichol visited New Zealand, where he beat the reigning champion, Ray Nicol, and at Auckland in the following year he outpointed the Pacific Islands champion Semi Nate, who had previously an unbeaten record of 26 successive knockouts. Nichol for that fight was giving away nearly two stone.

He contested four fights in Fiji, where, he said, boxing was popular and a thriving sport among the natives. Returning to Australia, Nichol was matched with Ambrose Palmer and Nichol went the distance.

In 1939, Nichol went the distance against Alabama Kid, a distinction that can be claimed by only one other Australian, Ron Richards. In a 1939 issue of the Australian record book "Boxing Blade" Nichol was rated the second best Australian light-heavyweight after Richards.

• Source: "Claude Nichol's Performances" The West Australian (1939, July 27) p. 6. Article