Joe Durham
Name: LCorp Joe Durham
Alias: Joseph
Hometown: Warrington, Cheshire, United Kingdom
Birthplace: Warrington, Cheshire, United Kingdom
Died: 1939-09-18 (Age:48)
Height: 164cm
Pro Boxer: Record
Joe Durham's first fight took place when Billy Hughes' boxing booth visited Warrington. As the only entrant in the 7 stone category, he was persuaded to take on Mulligan who was 2 stones heavier. Young Joe revealed his potential by knocking out his opponent in the second round.
Thereafter he quickly established himself as one of the top bantamweights in the north west of England, claiming the North of England Bantamweight Championship by 1913. He was due to fight Jimmy Wilde, but the contest failed to take place owing to a dispute over the purse. Billed by 1914 as "one of England's best bantams," he defeated both the Scottish and Irish champions and had a challenge out to Percy Jones (British, European and World flyweight champion).
He was a clever boxer, skilled at making his opponents' punches miss, and combined sound defence with a good left jab. Joe was a durable fighter who possessed a useful body punch and, when the need arose, he proved an aggressive two-handed fighter.
According to British boxing historian Harold Alderman, "He was a real top class fighter and but for the 1914-18 war, who knows what heights he might have achieved?"
Nevertheless, the First World War effectively ruined Durham's career. One of the first pro boxers to enlist, he was buried alive and wounded, but survived to become a lieutenant in the Rifle Brigade.
He retired from boxing after a brief comeback attempt in 1920. Durham died on September 18th 1939.
His obituary stated that he had in total about 100 professional bouts (almost certainly an exaggeration), but only 59 have been documented so far, mostly through the research of his grandson, Mick Sherrington who is the source of the above information. Special thanks also go to Mr. Harold Alderman for his assistance.