I wonder if I might put the feelers out amongst americymru members (and beyond) for assistance. I wrote a book on Welsh boxing entitled 'Mountain Fighters, Lost Tales of Welsh Boxing' in 2011, which tried to uncover some of the history of Welsh fighters (mainly bareknuckle) that were mostly active around the turn on the century, known as 'mountain fighters'. The vast majority of these men have been forgotten, although there are some accounts in early Welsh papers relating to the more locally famous (or infamous) fighters. Some only receive mentions in later newspapers after they died -when it is related that 'veteran pugilist' so-and-so jones died..'

Since writing the mountain fighters book I am attempting to gather together information on later boxers up until the end of the second world war in the hope of releasing a further book on the later history of Welsh boxing. There are lots of prominent fighters from this period, some are fairly well known, like Jim Driscoll of Cardiff,Freddie Welsh of Pontypridd, Tom Thomas of Penygraig and Jimmy Wilde of Tylorstown, but I am also very interested in the much less well known men.

I would be grateful for any references or information on any of the Welsh boxers of the first part of the 20th century, and am hoping that readers of this post might have old photographs, postcards, or further information about any welsh fighters or relatives in old drawers, photo albums, or newspaper clippings or references, to be featured or used in compiling the book, credit for all pictures received will be attributed to the owner. Any information regarding these great welsh sporting heroes will be greatly received, no matter how small, sometimes the slightest clue as to their movements, even grave references, can help with trying to trace further details. I will be happy to share the information I am collecting on these fighters with any family members or interested parties, and try to assist relatives with finding out more about their relatives when possible.

It would be a fairly long if not impossibly boring post to include all the names of Welsh boxers from the period in which I am studying - (about 1800 - 1950) but just to throw a few more well known names out from all areas of wales and times, 'boyo' driscoll, badger o'brien (maurice), john o'brien, billy eynon, redmond coleman, dan thomas - dan 'pontypridd', billy fry, johnny basham, jimmy wilde, dai roberts, percy jones, morgan crowther, frank moody, dave peters, george (young) dando, eddie morgan, sid (syd) russell, llew probert, darkie thomas, bill beynon, jim courtney, leslie williams, david john bowen, dai davies - 'young chips', llew edwards, gordon cook, johnny vaughan, george 'punch' jones, jack jones, lewis roderick, phineas john, cuthbert taylor, billy morgan, etc. etc. etc. to name just a handful.

Have attached a few photos of some old time welsh boxers, just for nostalgia's sake, although these are low res internet images - and would very much like to be able to take copies of original photographs for use in the book if possible. Please feel free to contact me via americymru

thank you, Lawrence Davies

Dai Roberts (Caerau)

eddie morgan (merthyr)

frank moody (pontypridd)


freddie welsh (pontypridd)

jim driscoll (cardiff)

jimmy wilde (tylorstown)