James Driscoll (15 December 1880 – 30 January 1925), commonly known as Peerless Jim, was a Welsh boxer who learned his trade in the boxing ring and used it to fight his way out of poverty. Driscoll was British featherweight champion and won the coveted Lonsdale belt in 1910. He is a member of the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame, the Ring Magazine Hall of Fame, and the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Jim Driscoll | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | James Driscoll 15 December 1880 |
| Died | 30 January 1925 (aged 44) Cardiff, Wales |
| Nationality | Welsh |
| Other names | Peerless/Jem Driscoll |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Featherweight |
| Height | 5 ft 4.5 in (164 cm) |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 77 |
| Wins | 58 |
| Wins by KO | 39 |
| Losses | 3 |
| Draws | 6 |
| No contests | 4 |
Early life
editDriscoll was born in Cardiff in 1880 to Cornelius and Elizabeth, and was brought up on Ellen Street in the Newtown region of the town. Driscoll's parents were both Irish, and both Catholicism and the local St Paul's Church would be key in his life.[1] Driscoll never forgot his roots; According to the National Monuments Record for Wales, his first fight was in a barn in Great House Farm, Llandough. He was a faithful supporter of his church, remained close to his community, and had great affection for the Nazareth House Orphanage, for whom he once gave up the chance of becoming Featherweight Champion of the World.
Driscoll's father died in a goods yard accident before Driscoll was one.[1] His mother was forced to accept parish relief to bring up her four children, and soon the family moved into a boarding house with another five people in 3 Ellen Street. Elizabeth was forced to take a job shovelling vegetables and fish from the hulls of ships at Cardiff Docks.[1] Growing up in poverty, Driscoll took employment while still a boy, becoming a printer's devil for the Evening Express in St. Mary Street in Cardiff.[2]
Boxing career
editEarly history
editDriscoll was an apprentice with the Western Mail printing works, when he began boxing in the fairground booths of south Wales.[3] He fought on the boxing booths of South Wales for a number of years and had somewhere in the region of 600 fights before turning professional in 1901, and by the end of the year he had secured twelve wins without defeat. The following year, of the seven recorded fights, he only failed to win once, a draw with Harry Mansfield in Cardiff. Between 1903 and 1904 Driscoll continued fighting, mainly in Wales, but on 22 February 1904 he fought his first match at the National Sporting Club in London, a points decision win over Boss Edwards. That year he also suffered his first defeat in a return bout against Mansfield, losing by points in a ten-round clash.
On 26 February 1906, Driscoll took the British Featherweight title by defeating Joe Bowker in a 15-round contest at the National Sporting Club. He undertook four more fights before his first defence, which included beating Mansfield by knockout in their fourth meet. His first title defence, held on 3 June 1907, was a copy of his title win, another contest with Bowker at the National Sporting Club in Covent Garden. This time it was a twenty-round match and Driscoll stopped his opponent in the seventeenth via a knockout.
The 24 August 1907 is recorded as a non-contest fight between Driscoll and fellow Welshman Freddie Welsh. Boxing historians such as Andrew Gallimore have cast doubt on this being a professional contest and instead a display fight at a fairground. Welsh supposedly took advantage of this situation and attacked Driscoll with kidney and rabbit punches. Driscoll never forgave his former friend for taking such liberties.[4]
On 24 February 1908, Driscoll faced New Zealander Charlie Griffin for the vacant Commonwealth Featherweight title. Again fought at Covent Garden, the match went the full fifteen rounds with Driscoll declared champion on a points decision.
Boxing in the US
edit
After claiming the British and Commonwealth featherweight titles Driscoll went to prove himself in the U.S. American boxing fans of the era favoured all-action boxers, but they were won over by the Cardiffian's skills, giving him the nickname 'Peerless Jim.' (Another common nickname for him was "Jem," and in his home town he was affectionately called "The Prince of Wales.") Featherweight champion Abe Attell faced Driscoll in 1910; the Welshman dominated the fight, but with the "no decision" rule in place, without a KO he couldn't take the crown. Driscoll declined a rematch in order to attend an exhibition match in aid of the orphans of St. Nazareth House: "I never break a promise."[3] He returned to the United States the next year, but a chest infection and an injury in a road accident sustained just days before meant a poor showing when he faced Pal Moore, losing by newspaper decision.[3] He returned shortly after to Britain, and never got his title shot at Attell.
After becoming the first featherweight to win a Lonsdale Belt, Driscoll prepared for an eagerly-anticipated fight against Freddie Welsh. The match was a disappointment, though, as Welsh's spoiling tactics upset Driscoll's style. By the 10th round, Driscoll's frustration boiled over, and he was disqualified for butting Welsh.
Later years
edit
Driscoll's boxing career was interrupted by World War I, where he was recruited as a physical training advisor, enlisting in 1914 in the Welsh Horse Yeomanry.[5] In succeeding years, he continued to box despite failing health, relying on his skills to keep him out of trouble. When he died in Cardiff of consumption at the age of 44, over 100,000 people lined the streets for his funeral. He is buried at Cathays Cemetery in Cardiff, Wales.[6] He authored a number of books on boxing; Text Book of Boxing, Outfighting, Ringcraft and most notably The Straight Left and How to Cultivate It, were widely printed and are still respected as instruction books of the sport today. In 1997 a statue was erected in his honour near the Central Boys' Club where he had trained.
Record
editDriscoll's final official record is 58-3-6, with 39 KO's, however due to the scoring practices of the time, that yields 6 no-contest bouts on his record. Newspapers used to announce a winner in no-contest bouts, and taking that into account, his true record is 63-4-6 with 39 KO's.
Professional boxing record
editAll information in this section is derived from BoxRec,[7] unless otherwise stated.
Official record
edit| 81 fights | 56 wins | 4 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 37 | 1 |
| By decision | 17 | 2 |
| By disqualification | 2 | 1 |
| Draws | 7 | |
| No contests | 6 | |
| Newspaper decisions/draws | 8 | |
All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted in the win/loss/draw column.
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 81 | Loss | 56–4–7 (14) | Charles Ledoux | RTD | 16 (20) | Oct 20, 1919 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK | For vacant European featherweight title |
| 80 | Draw | 56–3–7 (14) | Francis Rossi | PTS | 20 | May 31, 1919 | Pavilion, Mountain Ash, Wales, UK | |
| 79 | Win | 56–3–6 (14) | Pedlar Palmer | TKO | 4 (10) | Mar 10, 1919 | Hoxton, England, UK | |
| 78 | Draw | 55–3–6 (14) | Owen Moran | PTS | 20 | Jan 27, 1913 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK | Retained European, Commonwealth, and NSC featherweight title |
| 77 | Win | 55–3–5 (14) | Jean Poesy | KO | 12 (20) | Jun 3, 1912 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK | Won European featherweight title |
| 76 | ND | 54–3–5 (14) | Digger Stanley | ND | 3 | Mar 31, 1911 | Guards Theatre, Chelsea Barracks, Westminster, England, UK | |
| 75 | Win | 54–3–5 (13) | Spike Robson | TKO | 7 (20) | Jan 30, 1911 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK | Retained NSC featherweight title |
| 74 | Loss | 53–3–5 (13) | Freddie Welsh | DQ | 10 (25) | Dec 20, 1910 | American Skating Rink, Cardiff, Wales, UK | For European lightweight title; Driscoll DQ'd for head butts |
| 73 | Loss | 53–2–5 (13) | Philadelphia Pal Moore | NWS | 6 | May 25, 1910 | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 72 | Win | 53–2–5 (12) | Spike Robson | KO | 15 (20) | Apr 18, 1910 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK | Retained NSC featherweight title |
| 71 | Win | 52–2–5 (12) | Seaman Arthur Hayes | TKO | 6 (20) | Feb 14, 1910 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK | Retained Commonwealth and NSC featherweight titles |
| 70 | Win | 51–2–5 (12) | Abe Attell | NWS | 10 | Feb 19, 1909 | National A.C., New York City, New York, US | |
| 69 | Win | 51–2–5 (11) | Leach Cross | NWS | 10 | Feb 10, 1909 | Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, US | |
| 68 | Win | 51–2–5 (10) | Tommy Langdon | NWS | 6 | Feb 1, 1909 | Washington S.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 67 | Win | 51–2–5 (9) | Johnny Marto | NWS | 10 | Jan 28, 1909 | Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, US | |
| 66 | Win | 51–2–5 (8) | Grover Hayes | PTS | 12 | Jan 19, 1909 | Armory A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US | |
| 65 | Win | 50–2–5 (8) | Matty Baldwin | PTS | 12 | Dec 29, 1908 | Armory, Boston, Massachusetts, US | |
| 64 | Win | 49–2–5 (8) | Grover Hayes | NWS | 6 | Dec 16, 1908 | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 63 | Win | 49–2–5 (7) | Charlie Griffin | TKO | 11 (12) | Dec 8, 1908 | Armory A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US | |
| 62 | Win | 48–2–5 (7) | Grover Hayes | NWS | 6 | Dec 5, 1908 | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 61 | Win | 48–2–5 (6) | Matty Baldwin | NWS | 6 | Nov 13, 1908 | Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, US | |
| 60 | Win | 48–2–5 (5) | Charlie Griffin | DQ | 15 (20) | Feb 24, 1908 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK | Retained NSC British featherweight title; Won inaugural Commonwealth featherweight title |
| 59 | Win | 47–2–5 (5) | Jack Roberts | KO | 2 (15) | Jan 1, 1908 | Aberdare, Wales, UK | |
| 58 | Win | 46–2–5 (5) | Arthur Ellis | KO | 3 (15) | Oct 21, 1907 | Badminton Club, Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 57 | ND | 45–2–5 (5) | Freddie Welsh | ND | 6 | Sep 2, 1907 | Gess Pavillon, Pontypridd, Wales, UK | |
| 56 | Win | 45–2–5 (4) | Joe Bowker | KO | 17 (20) | Jun 3, 1907 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK | Retained NSC British featherweight title |
| 55 | Win | 44–2–5 (4) | Jack Roberts | PTS | 7 | Jul 1, 1906 | Location unknown | Date not exact |
| 54 | Win | 43–2–5 (4) | Joe Bowker | PTS | 15 | May 28, 1906 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK | Retained NSC British featherweight title |
| 53 | ND | 42–2–5 (4) | Johnny Summers | ND | 3 | Mar 6, 1906 | Park Hall, Cardiff, Wales, England, UK | |
| 52 | Win | 42–2–5 (3) | Jack Roberts | TKO | 7 (15) | Feb 26, 1906 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK | Won NSC British featherweight title |
| 51 | Win | 41–2–5 (3) | George Moore | PTS | 6 | Feb 10, 1906 | Wonderland, Whitechapel, London, England, UK | |
| 50 | ND | 40–2–5 (3) | Owen Moran | ND | 4 | Jan 18, 1906 | Barry, Wales, UK | |
| 49 | Win | 40–2–5 (2) | Harry Mansfield | TKO | 15 (15) | Dec 26, 1904 | Harry Cullis's Boxing Pavilion, Wednesbury, England, UK | |
| 48 | Win | 39–2–5 (2) | Joe Goodwin | PTS | 15 | Nov 13, 1904 | Harry Cullis's Boxing Pavilion, Wednesbury, England, UK | |
| 47 | Win | 38–2–5 (2) | Ivor Thomas | KO | 3 (?) | Jun 12, 1904 | Queens Hall, Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 46 | Draw | 37–2–5 (2) | Deppy Thomas | PTS | ? | May 1, 1904 | Location unknown | Date not exact |
| 45 | Win | 37–2–4 (2) | Harry Mansfield | PTS | 10 | Apr 24, 1904 | Badminton Club, Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 44 | Win | 36–2–4 (2) | Fred Delaney | PTS | 10 | Feb 10, 1904 | Bristol, Wales, UK | |
| 43 | Loss | 35–2–4 (2) | Johnnie Owens | UD | 3 | Feb 6, 1904 | Aberdare, Wales, UK | |
| 42 | Draw | 35–1–4 (2) | Deppy Thomas | PTS | 15 | Jan 9, 1904 | Professor Moore's Sparring Pavilion, Bristol, Wales, UK | For West of England featherweight title |
| 41 | Win | 35–1–3 (2) | Johnny Summers | DQ | 2 (15) | Dec 12, 1904 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK | Summers DQ'd for hitting Driscoll while he was down |
| 40 | Win | 34–1–3 (2) | Charlie Lampey | KO | 6 (15) | Nov 9, 1904 | Badminton Club, Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 39 | Win | 33–1–3 (2) | Dai Morgan | KO | 3 (6) | Sep 10, 1904 | Location unknown | |
| 38 | Loss | 32–1–3 (2) | Harry Mansfield | PTS | 10 | Aug 29, 1904 | Badminton Club, Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 37 | Win | 32–0–3 (2) | Mike O'Brien | PTS | 6 | Aug 15, 1904 | Mr T. Taylor's Boxing Saloon, Barry Dock, Wales, UK | |
| 36 | Win | 31–0–3 (2) | George Moore | KO | 3 (15) | Jun 27, 1904 | Queen's Hall, Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 35 | Draw | 30–0–3 (2) | Charlie Lampey | PTS | 10 | May 24, 1904 | Queen's Hall, Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 34 | Win | 30–0–2 (2) | Bill Stonelake | KO | 11 (15) | Apr 4, 1904 | Queen's Hall, Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 33 | Win | 29–0–2 (2) | Boss Edwards | PTS | 10 | Feb 22, 1904 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK | |
| 32 | Win | 28–0–2 (2) | Dai Morgan | TKO | 13 (15) | Feb 13, 1904 | Queen Street Hall, Cardiff, England, UK | |
| 31 | Win | 27–0–2 (2) | George Dixon | PTS | 6 | Feb 10, 1904 | Bristol, England, UK | |
| 30 | Win | 26–0–2 (2) | George Phalin | KO | 5 (12) | Feb 8, 1904 | Hamilton Rooms, Park Street, Bristol, England, UK | |
| 29 | Win | 25–0–2 (2) | Johnnie Owens | PTS | 20 | Feb 1, 1904 | Professor Harry Cullis's Pavilion, Barry Dock, Wales, UK | |
| 28 | ND | 24–0–2 (2) | Lloyd 'Kid' Davis | ND | 10 | Oct 24, 1903 | Ivor Athletic Club, Swansea, Wales, UK | |
| 27 | Win | 24–0–2 (1) | Mike Carey | KO | 4 (?) | Sep 1, 1903 | Location unknown | Date not exact |
| 26 | Win | 23–0–2 (1) | George Phalin | TKO | 5 (?) | Aug 1, 1903 | Drill Hall, Brynmawr, Wales, UK | Billed for British 112lbs title |
| 25 | Win | 22–0–2 (1) | George Dixon | KO | 5 (?) | Jun 1, 1903 | Location unknown | Date not exact |
| 24 | Win | 21–0–2 (1) | Fred Clifton | KO | 2 (6) | May 18, 1903 | Hamilton Rooms, Bristol, England, UK | |
| 23 | Win | 20–0–2 (1) | Bill Stonelake | KO | 9 (?) | Apr 1, 1903 | Location unknown | Date not exact |
| 22 | Win | 19–0–2 (1) | Mike Carey | KO | 5 (?) | Mar 1, 1903 | Location unknown | Date not exact |
| 21 | ND | 18–0–2 (1) | Harry Tomlins | ND | 3 | Feb 2, 1903 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK | |
| 20 | Win | 18–0–2 | George Dixon | PTS | 8 | Jan 24, 1903 | Theatre Royal, Cadoxton, Wales, UK | |
| 19 | Win | 17–0–2 | George Young Cooper | PTS | 10 | Dec 8, 1902 | E Thomas's Boxing Pavilion, Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 18 | Draw | 16–0–2 | Harry Mansfield | PTS | 10 | Sep 29, 1902 | Grand Theatre, Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 17 | Win | 16–0–1 | Dai Stephens | TKO | 3 (10) | Jul 19, 1902 | Professor Cullis's Pavilion, Pontypridd, Wales, UK | |
| 16 | Draw | 15–0–1 | Dai Stephens | PTS | 6 | Jun 21, 1902 | Llwynypia, Wales, UK | |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Ted Ward | KO | 3 (10) | Apr 27, 1902 | Pontypridd, Wales, UK | |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | George Vincent | TKO | 4 (4) | Apr 7, 1902 | Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Eddie Thomas | KO | 5 (?) | Mar 13, 1902 | Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Larry Cronin | KO | 3 (8) | Feb 17, 1902 | Queen's Hall, Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Jack Wheal | PTS | 10 | Jan 17, 1902 | Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Young Joe Ross | PTS | 10 | Dec 24, 1901 | Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Eddie Thomas | KO | 3 (?) | Nov 1, 1901 | Cardiff, Wales, UK | Date not exact |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Larry Cronin | KO | 5 (?) | Oct 1, 1901 | Location unknown | Date not exact |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Joe Morgan | KO | 4 (?) | Sep 1, 1901 | Location unknown | Date not exact |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Jack Brandford | KO | 5 (6) | Aug 1, 1901 | Wonderland, Whitechapel, London, England, UK | Date not exact |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Larry Cronin | KO | 4 (?) | Jul 1, 1901 | Location unknown | Date not exact |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Billy Hughes | KO | 2 (?) | Jun 1, 1901 | Location unknown | Date not exact |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Bill Green | KO | 4 (?) | Apr 1, 1901 | Location unknown | Date not exact |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Eddie Thomas | KO | 5 (?) | Mar 1, 1901 | Location unknown | Date not exact |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Billy Lucas | PTS | 4 | Feb 1, 1901 | Location unknown | Date not exact; Number of rounds uncertain |
Unofficial record
edit| 81 fights | 63 wins | 5 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 37 | 1 |
| By decision | 24 | 3 |
| By disqualification | 2 | 1 |
| Draws | 7 | |
| No contests | 6 | |
Record with the inclusion of newspaper decisions in the win/loss/draw column.
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 81 | Loss | 63–5–7 (6) | Charles Ledoux | RTD | 16 (20) | Oct 20, 1919 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK | For vacant European featherweight title |
| 80 | Draw | 63–4–7 (6) | Francis Rossi | PTS | 20 | May 31, 1919 | Pavilion, Mountain Ash, Wales, UK | |
| 79 | Win | 63–4–6 (6) | Pedlar Palmer | TKO | 4 (10) | Mar 10, 1919 | Hoxton, England, UK | |
| 78 | Draw | 62–4–6 (6) | Owen Moran | PTS | 20 | Jan 27, 1913 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK | Retained European, Commonwealth, and NSC featherweight title |
| 77 | Win | 62–4–5 (6) | Jean Poesy | KO | 12 (20) | Jun 3, 1912 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK | Won European featherweight title |
| 76 | ND | 61–4–5 (6) | Digger Stanley | ND | 3 | Mar 31, 1911 | Guards Theatre, Chelsea Barracks, Westminster, England, UK | |
| 75 | Win | 61–4–5 (5) | Spike Robson | TKO | 7 (20) | Jan 30, 1911 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK | Retained NSC featherweight title |
| 74 | Loss | 60–4–5 (5) | Freddie Welsh | DQ | 10 (25) | Dec 20, 1910 | American Skating Rink, Cardiff, Wales, UK | For European lightweight title; Driscoll DQ'd for head butts |
| 73 | Loss | 60–3–5 (5) | Philadelphia Pal Moore | NWS | 6 | May 25, 1910 | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 72 | Win | 60–2–5 (5) | Spike Robson | KO | 15 (20) | Apr 18, 1910 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK | Retained NSC featherweight title |
| 71 | Win | 59–2–5 (5) | Seaman Arthur Hayes | TKO | 6 (20) | Feb 14, 1910 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK | Retained Commonwealth and NSC featherweight titles |
| 70 | Win | 58–2–5 (5) | Abe Attell | NWS | 10 | Feb 19, 1909 | National A.C., New York City, New York, US | |
| 69 | Win | 57–2–5 (5) | Leach Cross | NWS | 10 | Feb 10, 1909 | Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, US | |
| 68 | Win | 56–2–5 (5) | Tommy Langdon | NWS | 6 | Feb 1, 1909 | Washington S.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 67 | Win | 55–2–5 (5) | Johnny Marto | NWS | 10 | Jan 28, 1909 | Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, US | |
| 66 | Win | 54–2–5 (5) | Grover Hayes | PTS | 12 | Jan 19, 1909 | Armory A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US | |
| 65 | Win | 53–2–5 (5) | Matty Baldwin | PTS | 12 | Dec 29, 1908 | Armory, Boston, Massachusetts, US | |
| 64 | Win | 52–2–5 (5) | Grover Hayes | NWS | 6 | Dec 16, 1908 | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 63 | Win | 51–2–5 (5) | Charlie Griffin | TKO | 11 (12) | Dec 8, 1908 | Armory A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US | |
| 62 | Win | 50–2–5 (5) | Grover Hayes | NWS | 6 | Dec 5, 1908 | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 61 | Win | 49–2–5 (5) | Matty Baldwin | NWS | 6 | Nov 13, 1908 | Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, US | |
| 60 | Win | 48–2–5 (5) | Charlie Griffin | DQ | 15 (20) | Feb 24, 1908 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK | Retained NSC British featherweight title; Won inaugural Commonwealth featherweight title |
| 59 | Win | 47–2–5 (5) | Jack Roberts | KO | 2 (15) | Jan 1, 1908 | Aberdare, Wales, UK | |
| 58 | Win | 46–2–5 (5) | Arthur Ellis | KO | 3 (15) | Oct 21, 1907 | Badminton Club, Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 57 | ND | 45–2–5 (5) | Freddie Welsh | ND | 6 | Sep 2, 1907 | Gess Pavillon, Pontypridd, Wales, UK | |
| 56 | Win | 45–2–5 (4) | Joe Bowker | KO | 17 (20) | Jun 3, 1907 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK | Retained NSC British featherweight title |
| 55 | Win | 44–2–5 (4) | Jack Roberts | PTS | 7 | Jul 1, 1906 | Location unknown | Date not exact |
| 54 | Win | 43–2–5 (4) | Joe Bowker | PTS | 15 | May 28, 1906 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK | Retained NSC British featherweight title |
| 53 | ND | 42–2–5 (4) | Johnny Summers | ND | 3 | Mar 6, 1906 | Park Hall, Cardiff, Wales, England, UK | |
| 52 | Win | 42–2–5 (3) | Jack Roberts | TKO | 7 (15) | Feb 26, 1906 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK | Won NSC British featherweight title |
| 51 | Win | 41–2–5 (3) | George Moore | PTS | 6 | Feb 10, 1906 | Wonderland, Whitechapel, London, England, UK | |
| 50 | ND | 40–2–5 (3) | Owen Moran | ND | 4 | Jan 18, 1906 | Barry, Wales, UK | |
| 49 | Win | 40–2–5 (2) | Harry Mansfield | TKO | 15 (15) | Dec 26, 1904 | Harry Cullis's Boxing Pavilion, Wednesbury, England, UK | |
| 48 | Win | 39–2–5 (2) | Joe Goodwin | PTS | 15 | Nov 13, 1904 | Harry Cullis's Boxing Pavilion, Wednesbury, England, UK | |
| 47 | Win | 38–2–5 (2) | Ivor Thomas | KO | 3 (?) | Jun 12, 1904 | Queens Hall, Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 46 | Draw | 37–2–5 (2) | Deppy Thomas | PTS | ? | May 1, 1904 | Location unknown | Date not exact |
| 45 | Win | 37–2–4 (2) | Harry Mansfield | PTS | 10 | Apr 24, 1904 | Badminton Club, Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 44 | Win | 36–2–4 (2) | Fred Delaney | PTS | 10 | Feb 10, 1904 | Bristol, Wales, UK | |
| 43 | Loss | 35–2–4 (2) | Johnnie Owens | UD | 3 | Feb 6, 1904 | Aberdare, Wales, UK | |
| 42 | Draw | 35–1–4 (2) | Deppy Thomas | PTS | 15 | Jan 9, 1904 | Professor Moore's Sparring Pavilion, Bristol, Wales, UK | For West of England featherweight title |
| 41 | Win | 35–1–3 (2) | Johnny Summers | DQ | 2 (15) | Dec 12, 1904 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK | Summers DQ'd for hitting Driscoll while he was down |
| 40 | Win | 34–1–3 (2) | Charlie Lampey | KO | 6 (15) | Nov 9, 1904 | Badminton Club, Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 39 | Win | 33–1–3 (2) | Dai Morgan | KO | 3 (6) | Sep 10, 1904 | Location unknown | |
| 38 | Loss | 32–1–3 (2) | Harry Mansfield | PTS | 10 | Aug 29, 1904 | Badminton Club, Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 37 | Win | 32–0–3 (2) | Mike O'Brien | PTS | 6 | Aug 15, 1904 | Mr T. Taylor's Boxing Saloon, Barry Dock, Wales, UK | |
| 36 | Win | 31–0–3 (2) | George Moore | KO | 3 (15) | Jun 27, 1904 | Queen's Hall, Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 35 | Draw | 30–0–3 (2) | Charlie Lampey | PTS | 10 | May 24, 1904 | Queen's Hall, Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 34 | Win | 30–0–2 (2) | Bill Stonelake | KO | 11 (15) | Apr 4, 1904 | Queen's Hall, Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 33 | Win | 29–0–2 (2) | Boss Edwards | PTS | 10 | Feb 22, 1904 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK | |
| 32 | Win | 28–0–2 (2) | Dai Morgan | TKO | 13 (15) | Feb 13, 1904 | Queen Street Hall, Cardiff, England, UK | |
| 31 | Win | 27–0–2 (2) | George Dixon | PTS | 6 | Feb 10, 1904 | Bristol, England, UK | |
| 30 | Win | 26–0–2 (2) | George Phalin | KO | 5 (12) | Feb 8, 1904 | Hamilton Rooms, Park Street, Bristol, England, UK | |
| 29 | Win | 25–0–2 (2) | Johnnie Owens | PTS | 20 | Feb 1, 1904 | Professor Harry Cullis's Pavilion, Barry Dock, Wales, UK | |
| 28 | ND | 24–0–2 (2) | Lloyd 'Kid' Davis | ND | 10 | Oct 24, 1903 | Ivor Athletic Club, Swansea, Wales, UK | |
| 27 | Win | 24–0–2 (1) | Mike Carey | KO | 4 (?) | Sep 1, 1903 | Location unknown | Date not exact |
| 26 | Win | 23–0–2 (1) | George Phalin | TKO | 5 (?) | Aug 1, 1903 | Drill Hall, Brynmawr, Wales, UK | Billed for British 112lbs title |
| 25 | Win | 22–0–2 (1) | George Dixon | KO | 5 (?) | Jun 1, 1903 | Location unknown | Date not exact |
| 24 | Win | 21–0–2 (1) | Fred Clifton | KO | 2 (6) | May 18, 1903 | Hamilton Rooms, Bristol, England, UK | |
| 23 | Win | 20–0–2 (1) | Bill Stonelake | KO | 9 (?) | Apr 1, 1903 | Location unknown | Date not exact |
| 22 | Win | 19–0–2 (1) | Mike Carey | KO | 5 (?) | Mar 1, 1903 | Location unknown | Date not exact |
| 21 | ND | 18–0–2 (1) | Harry Tomlins | ND | 3 | Feb 2, 1903 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK | |
| 20 | Win | 18–0–2 | George Dixon | PTS | 8 | Jan 24, 1903 | Theatre Royal, Cadoxton, Wales, UK | |
| 19 | Win | 17–0–2 | George Young Cooper | PTS | 10 | Dec 8, 1902 | E Thomas's Boxing Pavilion, Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 18 | Draw | 16–0–2 | Harry Mansfield | PTS | 10 | Sep 29, 1902 | Grand Theatre, Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 17 | Win | 16–0–1 | Dai Stephens | TKO | 3 (10) | Jul 19, 1902 | Professor Cullis's Pavilion, Pontypridd, Wales, UK | |
| 16 | Draw | 15–0–1 | Dai Stephens | PTS | 6 | Jun 21, 1902 | Llwynypia, Wales, UK | |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Ted Ward | KO | 3 (10) | Apr 27, 1902 | Pontypridd, Wales, UK | |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | George Vincent | TKO | 4 (4) | Apr 7, 1902 | Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Eddie Thomas | KO | 5 (?) | Mar 13, 1902 | Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Larry Cronin | KO | 3 (8) | Feb 17, 1902 | Queen's Hall, Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Jack Wheal | PTS | 10 | Jan 17, 1902 | Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Young Joe Ross | PTS | 10 | Dec 24, 1901 | Cardiff, Wales, UK | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Eddie Thomas | KO | 3 (?) | Nov 1, 1901 | Cardiff, Wales, UK | Date not exact |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Larry Cronin | KO | 5 (?) | Oct 1, 1901 | Location unknown | Date not exact |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Joe Morgan | KO | 4 (?) | Sep 1, 1901 | Location unknown | Date not exact |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Jack Brandford | KO | 5 (6) | Aug 1, 1901 | Wonderland, Whitechapel, London, England, UK | Date not exact |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Larry Cronin | KO | 4 (?) | Jul 1, 1901 | Location unknown | Date not exact |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Billy Hughes | KO | 2 (?) | Jun 1, 1901 | Location unknown | Date not exact |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Bill Green | KO | 4 (?) | Apr 1, 1901 | Location unknown | Date not exact |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Eddie Thomas | KO | 5 (?) | Mar 1, 1901 | Location unknown | Date not exact |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Billy Lucas | PTS | 4 | Feb 1, 1901 | Location unknown | Date not exact; Number of rounds uncertain |
Legacy
editDriscoll bequeathed his Lonsdale Belt to his cousin, Tom Burns, who ran the Royal Oak Hotel in Adamsdown, Cardiff. Today the pub is decorated with Jim Driscoll and other boxing memorabilia.[8]
In January 2016 an hour long documentary about him, "Jim Driscoll: Meistr y Sgwâr" (Jim Driscoll: Master of the Ring), was broadcast on the S4C television channel.[9]
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ a b c Stead (2008) p. 20
- ^ Stead (2008) p. 21
- ^ a b c Hignall (2007) p. 23
- ^ Gallimore, Andrew (2006). Occupation: Prizefighter The Freddie Welsh Story. Bridgend: Seren. p. 25. ISBN 978-1-85411-395-5.
- ^ "Daily Telegraph" (PDF). 7 December 1914. p. 7. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
- ^ Tony Woolway (2016). Cardiff in the Headlines. Amberley Publishing. p. 35. ISBN 978-1-4456-4889-7.
- ^ "BoxRec: Jim Driscoll".
- ^ Lee, Bryan (30 July 2011). "Royal Oak Hotel, 200 Broadway, Cardiff, CF24 1QJ". Wales Online. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
- ^ Silk, Huw (28 January 2016). "'He was never world champion but was regarded as one by his fellow Welsh people' The story of how a Cardiff-born boxer changed his sport". Wales Online. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
Bibliography
edit- Cordell, Alexander (1984, 2014). Peerless Jim. London. Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 978-1-4736-0390-5
- Hignall, Andrew; Prescott, Gwyn (2007). Cardiff: Sporting Greats. Stroud: Stadia. ISBN 978-0-7524-4286-0.
- Jones, Gareth (2009). The Boxers of Wales: Cardiff. Cardiff: St David's Press. ISBN 978-1-902719-26-9.
- Stead, Peter; Williams, Gareth, eds. (2008). Wales and its Boxers, The Fighting Tradition. Cardiff: University of Wales Press. ISBN 978-0-7083-1915-4.
External links
edit- Boxing record for Jim Driscoll from BoxRec (registration required)
- Cardiff.org article on 'Peerless' Jim Driscoll
- Fight Beat article on Driscoll