LES DARCY
“THE MAITLAND WONDER”
Les Darcy is considered by many to be Australia’s greatest ever pound for pound fighter, despite passing away at the age of 21. In a seven-year boxing career, Darcy claimed the world middleweight championship, as recognised in Australia, in 1915 and defended his claim successfully nine times. Darcy defeated Jeff Smith, who had claimed the world championship after defeating Eddie McGoorty on Australian soil in 1914. McGoorty had previously defeated British Empire middleweight and heavyweight champion Dave Smith to establish the claim.
In addition to claiming the world middleweight championship, Darcy also held the Australian and British Empire middleweight titles and the Australian heavyweight title and held these titles until his death in 1917. Darcy has victories over former middleweight world champion George Chip, former middleweight title claimants Jeff King, Eddie McGoorty and Mick King and world-rated contender Jimmy Clabby. Darcy defeated every man he ever faced in the ring.
Darcy stowed away from Australia in 1916 at the height of World War I to chase big money fights overseas. He died of pneumonia in 1917 while training for his American debut against Jack Dillon. The pneumonia was a side effect from a blood infection he contracted after having a tooth knocked out during a contest with Harold Hardwick in 1916. Darcy was labelled a draft dodger by the Australian press, who succeeded in turning the Australian public against their hero after he left the country. This reputation made it difficult for him to get a licence to fight in America. Despite the public outcry against Darcy after leaving Australia, the public mourned his death. Over 100,000 people viewed his body while it was on display in George street, Sydney before his body was transported back to his hometown of Maitland, NSW.
Notable Bouts
03-11-1913 Bob Whitelaw L20
For Australian welterweight title
05-01-1914 Jack Clarke TKO9
21-03-1914 Bob Whitelaw KO5
18-07-1914 Fritz Holland L20
12-09-1914 Fritz Holland LDQ18
07-11-1914 Gus Christie W20
26-12-1914 Fred Dyer W20
23-01-1915 Jeff Smith LDQ5
World middleweight title (recognised in Australia)
13-03-1915 Fritz Holland W20
01-05-1915 Fritz Holland TKO13
22-05-1915 Jeff Smith DQ2
World middleweight title (recognised in Australia)
12-06-1915 Mick King TKO10
Defends world middleweight title (recognised in Australia)
Wins Australian middleweight title
Wins British Empire middleweight title
31-07-1915 Eddie McGoorty TKO15
Defends world middleweight title (recognised in Australia)
04-09-1915 Billy Murray W20
Defends world middleweight title (recognised in Australia)
09-10-1915 Fred Dyer TKO6
Defends world middleweight title (recognised in Australia)
Defends British Empire middleweight title
23-10-1915 Jimmy Clabby W20
Defends world middleweight title (recognised in Australia)
27-12-1915 Eddie McGoorty TKO8
Defends world middleweight title (recognised in Australia)
15-01-1916 George Brown W20
19-02-1916 Harold Hardwick TKO7
Wins Australian heavyweight title
25-03-1916 Les O’Donnell TKO7
Defends Australian heavyweight title
08-04-1916 George Brown W20
13-05-1916 Alex Costica TKO4
Defends world middleweight title (recognised in Australia)
03-06-1916 Buck Crouse TKO2
24-06-1916 Dave Smith KO12
Defends Australian heavyweight title
16-08-1916 Dave Smith TKO11
Defends Australian heavyweight title
09-09-1916 Jimmy Clabby W20
Defends world middleweight title (recognised in Australia)
30-09-1916 George Chip KO9
Defends world middleweight title (recognised in Australia)
Australian Boxing Zone 