DRISCOLL, JAMES (1880 - 1925), boxer

Name: James Driscoll
Date of birth: 1880
Date of death: 1925
Gender: Male
Occupation: boxer
Area of activity: Sports and Leisure Pursuits
Author: Emlyn Wynne Evans

Born at Newton, Cardiff, 15 December 1880, of Irish parentage. He first came into prominence in 1906 when he won the bantam-weight championship of England. His rise to fame was rapid. In 1909 he gained the world's featherweight championship in New York, and on his return to England he won outright the first Lord Lonsdale challenge belt to be put up for the featherweight division, and was declared British champion in 1910. In 1912 he also won the European title. During the 1914-18 war he served with the Welsh Horse, and later became chief instructor to the Army gymnastic staff. Driscoll attempted to resume his boxing career in 1919, but his age, coupled with ill health, resulted in his defeat at the hands of the youthful French contender Charles Ledoux. He died at Cardiff, 30 January 1925.

Author

Published date: 1959

Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/

The Dictionary of Welsh Biography is provided by The National Library of Wales and the University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies. It is free to use and does not receive grant support. A donation would help us maintain and improve the site so that we can continue to acknowledge Welsh men and women who have made notable contributions to life in Wales and beyond.

Find out more on our sponsorship page.