- Jim Driscoll
Infobox Boxer
name=Jim Driscoll
realname=
nickname=Peerless/Jem Driscoll
weight=Featherweight
nationality= Flagicon|UK British|
birth_date=birth date|1880|12|15|mf=y
birth_place=Cardiff ,Wales
death_date|=January 30 ,1925
death_place|=
style=
total=77
wins=58
losses=3
draws=6
no contests=4
KO=39|James "Jim" Driscoll (
December 15 ,1880 –January 30 ,1925 ) was a Welsh boxer who learned his trade in the boxing ring and used it to fight his way out of poverty.Born on Ellen Street, Newtown,
Cardiff in 1880, Driscoll gained fame for winning the covetedLonsdale belt in 1910. Jim never forgot his roots; 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 becomingFeatherweight Champion of the World.Boxing in the US
After claiming the British featherweight title he 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 a mass with Monks saying: "I never break a promise."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
Driscoll's boxing career was interrupted by
World War I , where he was recruited as a physical training advisor. 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 atCathays Cemetery in Cardiff, Wales, where fresh daffodils always adorn his grave. A statue was erected in his honour near the Central Boys' Club, where he trained, in 1997.Record
Driscoll'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.
ee also
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List of British featherweight boxing champions External links
* [http://www.newtown-cardiff.org.uk/page11.htm Cardiff.org article on 'Peerless' Jim Driscoll]
* [http://fightbeat.com/judgejake/driscol.php Fight Beat article on Driscoll]
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