THE LATE LES DARCY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3827, 4 August 1928, Page 1

THE LATE LES DARCY.

AN AMERICAN TRIBUTE. «A GREAT FIGHTER.” In commenting on great fighters such as Stanley Ketchell, let’s not forget one of the greatest that ever came to America, but, unfortunately, America never was afforded the opportunity to sec him in action because of one of lhose queer twists which finds itself in the.make-up of some of our executives who mistake persecution for prosecution. We are referring to the wonderful Australian comet, Les Darcy, who died at Memphis from a broken heart, without even drawing on a glove to show his worth over here, says a writer in the American boxing paper, “The Knockout.” Polities and intrigue proved his undoing. He may have made a foolish move in leaving Australia at the time he did, but his countrymen could not have been of that opinion, for by public subscription they erected a splendid grainite shaft over his grave in that far off kan-garoo-land. WIIIAT EXPERTS SAID. However, regardless of his other action, tie must have been a great fighter. All the experts of his own land and his records over there confirmed the opinion of the Americans who had been to Australia amj seen bin in action, only added Iheir endorsement to all that his own admirers claimed for him. He was matched with Jack Dillon on his arrival hero. Dillon at the time was at his best, and what a wonderful test it would have proved. Ir Darcy could have disposed of Dillon at that particular time there would not have been the slightest doubt about his rating as one of the world’s greatest pugilists.

The match at the time failed to materialise because a certain promoter had figured he had outbid himself. He was giving Darcy 40,000 dollars, win, lose or draw. In order to save himself from what seemed certain loss a man higher up in boxing circles was offered 500 dollars to “get to Whiteman” and have the bout slopped, declaring Darcy to be a slacker. Nat Lewis, the well-known manager of fighters, ehnneed to be in a room when the telephone conversation with Albany took place and lie could, if lie so desired, tell an interesting story concerning this incident. Had it not been for the fact that the promoter felt he had “outlad” himself Les Darc-y would have never had the experience he went through shortly after. THE REAL FACTS. This may be news to many but facts just the, same. It goes to (prove how rotten are our polities and how insincere are our reformers —all on the surface and nothing behind them. Jack Kearns, who went to Australia and signed Darcy and would finally have been his American manager, in speaking of him not so long ago, said, “You know, great as Dempsey is, it would take me some time to make up my mind just who was the better man between him and Darcy.” That is certainly paying the Australian champion a fine compliment. However, we believe good as Darcy was he would find himself unable to measure up alongside of our present ' champion.