Freddie Welsh

Infobox Boxer
name=Freddie Welsh


realname=Frederick Hall Thomas
nickname=The Welsh Wizard
weight=Lightweight
nationality=flagicon|UKBritish
birth_date=birth date|1886|3|5|mf=y
birth_place=Pontypridd, Wales
death_date|=July 29, 1927
death_place|=New York City
style=
total=166
wins=78
losses=5
draws=7
no contests=81
KO=32|

Freddie Welsh (March 5, 1886 - July 29, 1927) was a Welsh born boxing champion.

Birth and early career

Born in Pontypridd, Wales, and christened Frederick Hall Thomas, he was nicknamed the "Welsh Wizard" (an epithet shared by his contemporary, but in the political ring, David Lloyd George).

The son of a successful businessman, Freddie suffered frequent illnesses as a child and was sent to California for his health. Here he took up boxing as a result of a suggestion from his physical fitness instructor. He became so good at the sport that he decided to make a living out of it and he turned professional in 1905. He took the name Freddie Welsh to prevent his mother from learning of his new career. The surname 'Welsh' was taken in honour of his nationality.

Championship years and WWI

In 1909, Welsh was awarded the first Lonsdale Belt, in recognition of his winning the European lightweight boxing title. In 1914, he won the World Lightweight title on a points decision against Ritchie in London. He retained the title until May 1917, when he was knocked out at the Manhattan Athletic Club by Benny Leonard.

During the First World War Freddie served as a lieutenant and helped disabled veterans at the Walter Reed Hospital. He was discharged a Captain and returned to the ring in December, 1920.

Retirement

He retired from boxing after a defeat by Archie Walker in 1922, but retired as a wealthy man. He bought a health farm and a gymnasium but fell on hard times and died penniless in New York.

Freddie Welsh was inducted into the 'Ring Boxing Hall of Fame' in 1960 and the 'International Boxing Hall of Fame' in 1997.

Record

During the time Welsh boxed, scoring resulted in a large number of no-decision fights. However, newspapers commonly reported a winner in the case of no-decision bouts. With that adjustment, Welsh's final record would be 110-25-15 with 32 KO's and 16 no-decisions.

ee also

List of British lightweight boxing champions

External links

*boxrec|id=011878 Retrieved on 2008-01-24
*cite news
author=
title=Welsh wonder
date=2007-07-27
work=BBC News
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/6907524.stm
accessdate=2008-08-09 about the life and career of Freddie Welsh