James Driscoll (15 December 1880 – 30 January 1925), commonly known as Peerless Jim, was a Welsh boxer who learned his trade in the boxing ring and used it to fight his way out of poverty. Driscoll was British featherweight champion and won the coveted Lonsdale belt in 1910. He is a member of the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame, the Ring Magazine Hall of Fame, and the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Jim Driscoll
Born
James Driscoll

(1880-12-15)15 December 1880
Died30 January 1925(1925-01-30) (aged 44)
Cardiff, Wales
NationalityWelsh
Other namesPeerless/Jem Driscoll
Statistics
Weight(s)Featherweight
Height5 ft 4.5 in (164 cm)
Boxing record
Total fights77
Wins58
Wins by KO39
Losses3
Draws6
No contests4

Early life

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Driscoll was born in Cardiff in 1880 to Cornelius and Elizabeth, and was brought up on Ellen Street in the Newtown region of the town. Driscoll's parents were both Irish, and both Catholicism and the local St Paul's Church would be key in his life.[1] Driscoll never forgot his roots; According to the National Monuments Record for Wales, his first fight was in a barn in Great House Farm, Llandough. 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 becoming Featherweight Champion of the World.

Driscoll's father died in a goods yard accident before Driscoll was one.[1] His mother was forced to accept parish relief to bring up her four children, and soon the family moved into a boarding house with another five people in 3 Ellen Street. Elizabeth was forced to take a job shovelling vegetables and fish from the hulls of ships at Cardiff Docks.[1] Growing up in poverty, Driscoll took employment while still a boy, becoming a printer's devil for the Evening Express in St. Mary Street in Cardiff.[2]

Boxing career

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Early history

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Driscoll was an apprentice with the Western Mail printing works, when he began boxing in the fairground booths of south Wales.[3] He fought on the boxing booths of South Wales for a number of years and had somewhere in the region of 600 fights before turning professional in 1901, and by the end of the year he had secured twelve wins without defeat. The following year, of the seven recorded fights, he only failed to win once, a draw with Harry Mansfield in Cardiff. Between 1903 and 1904 Driscoll continued fighting, mainly in Wales, but on 22 February 1904 he fought his first match at the National Sporting Club in London, a points decision win over Boss Edwards. That year he also suffered his first defeat in a return bout against Mansfield, losing by points in a ten-round clash.

 
Driscoll (left) posing with fellow boxer Eddie Johnson

On 26 February 1906, Driscoll took the British Featherweight title by defeating Joe Bowker in a 15-round contest at the National Sporting Club. He undertook four more fights before his first defence, which included beating Mansfield by knockout in their fourth meet. His first title defence, held on 3 June 1907, was a copy of his title win, another contest with Bowker at the National Sporting Club in Covent Garden. This time it was a twenty-round match and Driscoll stopped his opponent in the seventeenth via a knockout.

The 24 August 1907 is recorded as a non-contest fight between Driscoll and fellow Welshman Freddie Welsh. Boxing historians such as Andrew Gallimore have cast doubt on this being a professional contest and instead a display fight at a fairground. Welsh supposedly took advantage of this situation and attacked Driscoll with kidney and rabbit punches. Driscoll never forgave his former friend for taking such liberties.[4]

On 24 February 1908, Driscoll faced New Zealander Charlie Griffin for the vacant Commonwealth Featherweight title. Again fought at Covent Garden, the match went the full fifteen rounds with Driscoll declared champion on a points decision.

Boxing in the US

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Portrait of Driscoll

After claiming the British and Commonwealth featherweight titles Driscoll 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 an exhibition match in aid of the orphans of St. Nazareth House: "I never break a promise."[3] He returned to the United States the next year, but a chest infection and an injury in a road accident sustained just days before meant a poor showing when he faced Pal Moore, losing by newspaper decision.[3] He returned shortly after to Britain, and never got his title shot at Attell.

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

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A bronze statue of Driscoll has stood in Cardiff since 1997.

Driscoll's boxing career was interrupted by World War I, where he was recruited as a physical training advisor, enlisting in 1914 in the Welsh Horse Yeomanry.[5] 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 at Cathays Cemetery in Cardiff, Wales.[6] He authored a number of books on boxing; Text Book of Boxing, Outfighting, Ringcraft and most notably The Straight Left and How to Cultivate It, were widely printed and are still respected as instruction books of the sport today. In 1997 a statue was erected in his honour near the Central Boys' Club where he had trained.

Record

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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.

Professional boxing record

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All information in this section is derived from BoxRec,[7] unless otherwise stated.

Official record

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81 fights 56 wins 4 losses
By knockout 37 1
By decision 17 2
By disqualification 2 1
Draws 7
No contests 6
Newspaper decisions/draws 8

All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted in the win/loss/draw column.

No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
81 Loss 56–4–7 (14) Charles Ledoux RTD 16 (20) Oct 20, 1919 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK For vacant European featherweight title
80 Draw 56–3–7 (14) Francis Rossi PTS 20 May 31, 1919 Pavilion, Mountain Ash, Wales, UK
79 Win 56–3–6 (14) Pedlar Palmer TKO 4 (10) Mar 10, 1919 Hoxton, England, UK
78 Draw 55–3–6 (14) Owen Moran PTS 20 Jan 27, 1913 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK Retained European, Commonwealth, and NSC featherweight title
77 Win 55–3–5 (14) Jean Poesy KO 12 (20) Jun 3, 1912 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK Won European featherweight title
76 ND 54–3–5 (14) Digger Stanley ND 3 Mar 31, 1911 Guards Theatre, Chelsea Barracks, Westminster, England, UK
75 Win 54–3–5 (13) Spike Robson TKO 7 (20) Jan 30, 1911 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK Retained NSC featherweight title
74 Loss 53–3–5 (13) Freddie Welsh DQ 10 (25) Dec 20, 1910 American Skating Rink, Cardiff, Wales, UK For European lightweight title;
Driscoll DQ'd for head butts
73 Loss 53–2–5 (13) Philadelphia Pal Moore NWS 6 May 25, 1910 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
72 Win 53–2–5 (12) Spike Robson KO 15 (20) Apr 18, 1910 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK Retained NSC featherweight title
71 Win 52–2–5 (12) Seaman Arthur Hayes TKO 6 (20) Feb 14, 1910 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK Retained Commonwealth and NSC featherweight titles
70 Win 51–2–5 (12) Abe Attell NWS 10 Feb 19, 1909 National A.C., New York City, New York, US
69 Win 51–2–5 (11) Leach Cross NWS 10 Feb 10, 1909 Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, US
68 Win 51–2–5 (10) Tommy Langdon NWS 6 Feb 1, 1909 Washington S.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
67 Win 51–2–5 (9) Johnny Marto NWS 10 Jan 28, 1909 Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, US
66 Win 51–2–5 (8) Grover Hayes PTS 12 Jan 19, 1909 Armory A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US
65 Win 50–2–5 (8) Matty Baldwin PTS 12 Dec 29, 1908 Armory, Boston, Massachusetts, US
64 Win 49–2–5 (8) Grover Hayes NWS 6 Dec 16, 1908 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
63 Win 49–2–5 (7) Charlie Griffin TKO 11 (12) Dec 8, 1908 Armory A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
62 Win 48–2–5 (7) Grover Hayes NWS 6 Dec 5, 1908 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
61 Win 48–2–5 (6) Matty Baldwin NWS 6 Nov 13, 1908 Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, US
60 Win 48–2–5 (5) Charlie Griffin DQ 15 (20) Feb 24, 1908 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK Retained NSC British featherweight title;
Won inaugural Commonwealth featherweight title
59 Win 47–2–5 (5) Jack Roberts KO 2 (15) Jan 1, 1908 Aberdare, Wales, UK
58 Win 46–2–5 (5) Arthur Ellis KO 3 (15) Oct 21, 1907 Badminton Club, Cardiff, Wales, UK
57 ND 45–2–5 (5) Freddie Welsh ND 6 Sep 2, 1907 Gess Pavillon, Pontypridd, Wales, UK
56 Win 45–2–5 (4) Joe Bowker KO 17 (20) Jun 3, 1907 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK Retained NSC British featherweight title
55 Win 44–2–5 (4) Jack Roberts PTS 7 Jul 1, 1906 Location unknown Date not exact
54 Win 43–2–5 (4) Joe Bowker PTS 15 May 28, 1906 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK Retained NSC British featherweight title
53 ND 42–2–5 (4) Johnny Summers ND 3 Mar 6, 1906 Park Hall, Cardiff, Wales, England, UK
52 Win 42–2–5 (3) Jack Roberts TKO 7 (15) Feb 26, 1906 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK Won NSC British featherweight title
51 Win 41–2–5 (3) George Moore PTS 6 Feb 10, 1906 Wonderland, Whitechapel, London, England, UK
50 ND 40–2–5 (3) Owen Moran ND 4 Jan 18, 1906 Barry, Wales, UK
49 Win 40–2–5 (2) Harry Mansfield TKO 15 (15) Dec 26, 1904 Harry Cullis's Boxing Pavilion, Wednesbury, England, UK
48 Win 39–2–5 (2) Joe Goodwin PTS 15 Nov 13, 1904 Harry Cullis's Boxing Pavilion, Wednesbury, England, UK
47 Win 38–2–5 (2) Ivor Thomas KO 3 (?) Jun 12, 1904 Queens Hall, Cardiff, Wales, UK
46 Draw 37–2–5 (2) Deppy Thomas PTS ? May 1, 1904 Location unknown Date not exact
45 Win 37–2–4 (2) Harry Mansfield PTS 10 Apr 24, 1904 Badminton Club, Cardiff, Wales, UK
44 Win 36–2–4 (2) Fred Delaney PTS 10 Feb 10, 1904 Bristol, Wales, UK
43 Loss 35–2–4 (2) Johnnie Owens UD 3 Feb 6, 1904 Aberdare, Wales, UK
42 Draw 35–1–4 (2) Deppy Thomas PTS 15 Jan 9, 1904 Professor Moore's Sparring Pavilion, Bristol, Wales, UK For West of England featherweight title
41 Win 35–1–3 (2) Johnny Summers DQ 2 (15) Dec 12, 1904 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK Summers DQ'd for hitting Driscoll while he was down
40 Win 34–1–3 (2) Charlie Lampey KO 6 (15) Nov 9, 1904 Badminton Club, Cardiff, Wales, UK
39 Win 33–1–3 (2) Dai Morgan KO 3 (6) Sep 10, 1904 Location unknown
38 Loss 32–1–3 (2) Harry Mansfield PTS 10 Aug 29, 1904 Badminton Club, Cardiff, Wales, UK
37 Win 32–0–3 (2) Mike O'Brien PTS 6 Aug 15, 1904 Mr T. Taylor's Boxing Saloon, Barry Dock, Wales, UK
36 Win 31–0–3 (2) George Moore KO 3 (15) Jun 27, 1904 Queen's Hall, Cardiff, Wales, UK
35 Draw 30–0–3 (2) Charlie Lampey PTS 10 May 24, 1904 Queen's Hall, Cardiff, Wales, UK
34 Win 30–0–2 (2) Bill Stonelake KO 11 (15) Apr 4, 1904 Queen's Hall, Cardiff, Wales, UK
33 Win 29–0–2 (2) Boss Edwards PTS 10 Feb 22, 1904 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK
32 Win 28–0–2 (2) Dai Morgan TKO 13 (15) Feb 13, 1904 Queen Street Hall, Cardiff, England, UK
31 Win 27–0–2 (2) George Dixon PTS 6 Feb 10, 1904 Bristol, England, UK
30 Win 26–0–2 (2) George Phalin KO 5 (12) Feb 8, 1904 Hamilton Rooms, Park Street, Bristol, England, UK
29 Win 25–0–2 (2) Johnnie Owens PTS 20 Feb 1, 1904 Professor Harry Cullis's Pavilion, Barry Dock, Wales, UK
28 ND 24–0–2 (2) Lloyd 'Kid' Davis ND 10 Oct 24, 1903 Ivor Athletic Club, Swansea, Wales, UK
27 Win 24–0–2 (1) Mike Carey KO 4 (?) Sep 1, 1903 Location unknown Date not exact
26 Win 23–0–2 (1) George Phalin TKO 5 (?) Aug 1, 1903 Drill Hall, Brynmawr, Wales, UK Billed for British 112lbs title
25 Win 22–0–2 (1) George Dixon KO 5 (?) Jun 1, 1903 Location unknown Date not exact
24 Win 21–0–2 (1) Fred Clifton KO 2 (6) May 18, 1903 Hamilton Rooms, Bristol, England, UK
23 Win 20–0–2 (1) Bill Stonelake KO 9 (?) Apr 1, 1903 Location unknown Date not exact
22 Win 19–0–2 (1) Mike Carey KO 5 (?) Mar 1, 1903 Location unknown Date not exact
21 ND 18–0–2 (1) Harry Tomlins ND 3 Feb 2, 1903 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK
20 Win 18–0–2 George Dixon PTS 8 Jan 24, 1903 Theatre Royal, Cadoxton, Wales, UK
19 Win 17–0–2 George Young Cooper PTS 10 Dec 8, 1902 E Thomas's Boxing Pavilion, Cardiff, Wales, UK
18 Draw 16–0–2 Harry Mansfield PTS 10 Sep 29, 1902 Grand Theatre, Cardiff, Wales, UK
17 Win 16–0–1 Dai Stephens TKO 3 (10) Jul 19, 1902 Professor Cullis's Pavilion, Pontypridd, Wales, UK
16 Draw 15–0–1 Dai Stephens PTS 6 Jun 21, 1902 Llwynypia, Wales, UK
15 Win 15–0 Ted Ward KO 3 (10) Apr 27, 1902 Pontypridd, Wales, UK
14 Win 14–0 George Vincent TKO 4 (4) Apr 7, 1902 Cardiff, Wales, UK
13 Win 13–0 Eddie Thomas KO 5 (?) Mar 13, 1902 Cardiff, Wales, UK
12 Win 12–0 Larry Cronin KO 3 (8) Feb 17, 1902 Queen's Hall, Cardiff, Wales, UK
11 Win 11–0 Jack Wheal PTS 10 Jan 17, 1902 Cardiff, Wales, UK
10 Win 10–0 Young Joe Ross PTS 10 Dec 24, 1901 Cardiff, Wales, UK
9 Win 9–0 Eddie Thomas KO 3 (?) Nov 1, 1901 Cardiff, Wales, UK Date not exact
8 Win 8–0 Larry Cronin KO 5 (?) Oct 1, 1901 Location unknown Date not exact
7 Win 7–0 Joe Morgan KO 4 (?) Sep 1, 1901 Location unknown Date not exact
6 Win 6–0 Jack Brandford KO 5 (6) Aug 1, 1901 Wonderland, Whitechapel, London, England, UK Date not exact
5 Win 5–0 Larry Cronin KO 4 (?) Jul 1, 1901 Location unknown Date not exact
4 Win 4–0 Billy Hughes KO 2 (?) Jun 1, 1901 Location unknown Date not exact
3 Win 3–0 Bill Green KO 4 (?) Apr 1, 1901 Location unknown Date not exact
2 Win 2–0 Eddie Thomas KO 5 (?) Mar 1, 1901 Location unknown Date not exact
1 Win 1–0 Billy Lucas PTS 4 Feb 1, 1901 Location unknown Date not exact;
Number of rounds uncertain

Unofficial record

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81 fights 63 wins 5 losses
By knockout 37 1
By decision 24 3
By disqualification 2 1
Draws 7
No contests 6

Record with the inclusion of newspaper decisions in the win/loss/draw column.

No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
81 Loss 63–5–7 (6) Charles Ledoux RTD 16 (20) Oct 20, 1919 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK For vacant European featherweight title
80 Draw 63–4–7 (6) Francis Rossi PTS 20 May 31, 1919 Pavilion, Mountain Ash, Wales, UK
79 Win 63–4–6 (6) Pedlar Palmer TKO 4 (10) Mar 10, 1919 Hoxton, England, UK
78 Draw 62–4–6 (6) Owen Moran PTS 20 Jan 27, 1913 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK Retained European, Commonwealth, and NSC featherweight title
77 Win 62–4–5 (6) Jean Poesy KO 12 (20) Jun 3, 1912 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK Won European featherweight title
76 ND 61–4–5 (6) Digger Stanley ND 3 Mar 31, 1911 Guards Theatre, Chelsea Barracks, Westminster, England, UK
75 Win 61–4–5 (5) Spike Robson TKO 7 (20) Jan 30, 1911 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK Retained NSC featherweight title
74 Loss 60–4–5 (5) Freddie Welsh DQ 10 (25) Dec 20, 1910 American Skating Rink, Cardiff, Wales, UK For European lightweight title;
Driscoll DQ'd for head butts
73 Loss 60–3–5 (5) Philadelphia Pal Moore NWS 6 May 25, 1910 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
72 Win 60–2–5 (5) Spike Robson KO 15 (20) Apr 18, 1910 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK Retained NSC featherweight title
71 Win 59–2–5 (5) Seaman Arthur Hayes TKO 6 (20) Feb 14, 1910 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK Retained Commonwealth and NSC featherweight titles
70 Win 58–2–5 (5) Abe Attell NWS 10 Feb 19, 1909 National A.C., New York City, New York, US
69 Win 57–2–5 (5) Leach Cross NWS 10 Feb 10, 1909 Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, US
68 Win 56–2–5 (5) Tommy Langdon NWS 6 Feb 1, 1909 Washington S.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
67 Win 55–2–5 (5) Johnny Marto NWS 10 Jan 28, 1909 Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, US
66 Win 54–2–5 (5) Grover Hayes PTS 12 Jan 19, 1909 Armory A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US
65 Win 53–2–5 (5) Matty Baldwin PTS 12 Dec 29, 1908 Armory, Boston, Massachusetts, US
64 Win 52–2–5 (5) Grover Hayes NWS 6 Dec 16, 1908 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
63 Win 51–2–5 (5) Charlie Griffin TKO 11 (12) Dec 8, 1908 Armory A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
62 Win 50–2–5 (5) Grover Hayes NWS 6 Dec 5, 1908 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
61 Win 49–2–5 (5) Matty Baldwin NWS 6 Nov 13, 1908 Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, US
60 Win 48–2–5 (5) Charlie Griffin DQ 15 (20) Feb 24, 1908 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK Retained NSC British featherweight title;
Won inaugural Commonwealth featherweight title
59 Win 47–2–5 (5) Jack Roberts KO 2 (15) Jan 1, 1908 Aberdare, Wales, UK
58 Win 46–2–5 (5) Arthur Ellis KO 3 (15) Oct 21, 1907 Badminton Club, Cardiff, Wales, UK
57 ND 45–2–5 (5) Freddie Welsh ND 6 Sep 2, 1907 Gess Pavillon, Pontypridd, Wales, UK
56 Win 45–2–5 (4) Joe Bowker KO 17 (20) Jun 3, 1907 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK Retained NSC British featherweight title
55 Win 44–2–5 (4) Jack Roberts PTS 7 Jul 1, 1906 Location unknown Date not exact
54 Win 43–2–5 (4) Joe Bowker PTS 15 May 28, 1906 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK Retained NSC British featherweight title
53 ND 42–2–5 (4) Johnny Summers ND 3 Mar 6, 1906 Park Hall, Cardiff, Wales, England, UK
52 Win 42–2–5 (3) Jack Roberts TKO 7 (15) Feb 26, 1906 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK Won NSC British featherweight title
51 Win 41–2–5 (3) George Moore PTS 6 Feb 10, 1906 Wonderland, Whitechapel, London, England, UK
50 ND 40–2–5 (3) Owen Moran ND 4 Jan 18, 1906 Barry, Wales, UK
49 Win 40–2–5 (2) Harry Mansfield TKO 15 (15) Dec 26, 1904 Harry Cullis's Boxing Pavilion, Wednesbury, England, UK
48 Win 39–2–5 (2) Joe Goodwin PTS 15 Nov 13, 1904 Harry Cullis's Boxing Pavilion, Wednesbury, England, UK
47 Win 38–2–5 (2) Ivor Thomas KO 3 (?) Jun 12, 1904 Queens Hall, Cardiff, Wales, UK
46 Draw 37–2–5 (2) Deppy Thomas PTS ? May 1, 1904 Location unknown Date not exact
45 Win 37–2–4 (2) Harry Mansfield PTS 10 Apr 24, 1904 Badminton Club, Cardiff, Wales, UK
44 Win 36–2–4 (2) Fred Delaney PTS 10 Feb 10, 1904 Bristol, Wales, UK
43 Loss 35–2–4 (2) Johnnie Owens UD 3 Feb 6, 1904 Aberdare, Wales, UK
42 Draw 35–1–4 (2) Deppy Thomas PTS 15 Jan 9, 1904 Professor Moore's Sparring Pavilion, Bristol, Wales, UK For West of England featherweight title
41 Win 35–1–3 (2) Johnny Summers DQ 2 (15) Dec 12, 1904 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK Summers DQ'd for hitting Driscoll while he was down
40 Win 34–1–3 (2) Charlie Lampey KO 6 (15) Nov 9, 1904 Badminton Club, Cardiff, Wales, UK
39 Win 33–1–3 (2) Dai Morgan KO 3 (6) Sep 10, 1904 Location unknown
38 Loss 32–1–3 (2) Harry Mansfield PTS 10 Aug 29, 1904 Badminton Club, Cardiff, Wales, UK
37 Win 32–0–3 (2) Mike O'Brien PTS 6 Aug 15, 1904 Mr T. Taylor's Boxing Saloon, Barry Dock, Wales, UK
36 Win 31–0–3 (2) George Moore KO 3 (15) Jun 27, 1904 Queen's Hall, Cardiff, Wales, UK
35 Draw 30–0–3 (2) Charlie Lampey PTS 10 May 24, 1904 Queen's Hall, Cardiff, Wales, UK
34 Win 30–0–2 (2) Bill Stonelake KO 11 (15) Apr 4, 1904 Queen's Hall, Cardiff, Wales, UK
33 Win 29–0–2 (2) Boss Edwards PTS 10 Feb 22, 1904 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK
32 Win 28–0–2 (2) Dai Morgan TKO 13 (15) Feb 13, 1904 Queen Street Hall, Cardiff, England, UK
31 Win 27–0–2 (2) George Dixon PTS 6 Feb 10, 1904 Bristol, England, UK
30 Win 26–0–2 (2) George Phalin KO 5 (12) Feb 8, 1904 Hamilton Rooms, Park Street, Bristol, England, UK
29 Win 25–0–2 (2) Johnnie Owens PTS 20 Feb 1, 1904 Professor Harry Cullis's Pavilion, Barry Dock, Wales, UK
28 ND 24–0–2 (2) Lloyd 'Kid' Davis ND 10 Oct 24, 1903 Ivor Athletic Club, Swansea, Wales, UK
27 Win 24–0–2 (1) Mike Carey KO 4 (?) Sep 1, 1903 Location unknown Date not exact
26 Win 23–0–2 (1) George Phalin TKO 5 (?) Aug 1, 1903 Drill Hall, Brynmawr, Wales, UK Billed for British 112lbs title
25 Win 22–0–2 (1) George Dixon KO 5 (?) Jun 1, 1903 Location unknown Date not exact
24 Win 21–0–2 (1) Fred Clifton KO 2 (6) May 18, 1903 Hamilton Rooms, Bristol, England, UK
23 Win 20–0–2 (1) Bill Stonelake KO 9 (?) Apr 1, 1903 Location unknown Date not exact
22 Win 19–0–2 (1) Mike Carey KO 5 (?) Mar 1, 1903 Location unknown Date not exact
21 ND 18–0–2 (1) Harry Tomlins ND 3 Feb 2, 1903 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK
20 Win 18–0–2 George Dixon PTS 8 Jan 24, 1903 Theatre Royal, Cadoxton, Wales, UK
19 Win 17–0–2 George Young Cooper PTS 10 Dec 8, 1902 E Thomas's Boxing Pavilion, Cardiff, Wales, UK
18 Draw 16–0–2 Harry Mansfield PTS 10 Sep 29, 1902 Grand Theatre, Cardiff, Wales, UK
17 Win 16–0–1 Dai Stephens TKO 3 (10) Jul 19, 1902 Professor Cullis's Pavilion, Pontypridd, Wales, UK
16 Draw 15–0–1 Dai Stephens PTS 6 Jun 21, 1902 Llwynypia, Wales, UK
15 Win 15–0 Ted Ward KO 3 (10) Apr 27, 1902 Pontypridd, Wales, UK
14 Win 14–0 George Vincent TKO 4 (4) Apr 7, 1902 Cardiff, Wales, UK
13 Win 13–0 Eddie Thomas KO 5 (?) Mar 13, 1902 Cardiff, Wales, UK
12 Win 12–0 Larry Cronin KO 3 (8) Feb 17, 1902 Queen's Hall, Cardiff, Wales, UK
11 Win 11–0 Jack Wheal PTS 10 Jan 17, 1902 Cardiff, Wales, UK
10 Win 10–0 Young Joe Ross PTS 10 Dec 24, 1901 Cardiff, Wales, UK
9 Win 9–0 Eddie Thomas KO 3 (?) Nov 1, 1901 Cardiff, Wales, UK Date not exact
8 Win 8–0 Larry Cronin KO 5 (?) Oct 1, 1901 Location unknown Date not exact
7 Win 7–0 Joe Morgan KO 4 (?) Sep 1, 1901 Location unknown Date not exact
6 Win 6–0 Jack Brandford KO 5 (6) Aug 1, 1901 Wonderland, Whitechapel, London, England, UK Date not exact
5 Win 5–0 Larry Cronin KO 4 (?) Jul 1, 1901 Location unknown Date not exact
4 Win 4–0 Billy Hughes KO 2 (?) Jun 1, 1901 Location unknown Date not exact
3 Win 3–0 Bill Green KO 4 (?) Apr 1, 1901 Location unknown Date not exact
2 Win 2–0 Eddie Thomas KO 5 (?) Mar 1, 1901 Location unknown Date not exact
1 Win 1–0 Billy Lucas PTS 4 Feb 1, 1901 Location unknown Date not exact;
Number of rounds uncertain

Legacy

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Driscoll bequeathed his Lonsdale Belt to his cousin, Tom Burns, who ran the Royal Oak Hotel in Adamsdown, Cardiff. Today the pub is decorated with Jim Driscoll and other boxing memorabilia.[8]

In January 2016 an hour long documentary about him, "Jim Driscoll: Meistr y Sgwâr" (Jim Driscoll: Master of the Ring), was broadcast on the S4C television channel.[9]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b c Stead (2008) p. 20
  2. ^ Stead (2008) p. 21
  3. ^ a b c Hignall (2007) p. 23
  4. ^ Gallimore, Andrew (2006). Occupation: Prizefighter The Freddie Welsh Story. Bridgend: Seren. p. 25. ISBN 978-1-85411-395-5.
  5. ^ "Daily Telegraph" (PDF). 7 December 1914. p. 7. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  6. ^ Tony Woolway (2016). Cardiff in the Headlines. Amberley Publishing. p. 35. ISBN 978-1-4456-4889-7.
  7. ^ "BoxRec: Jim Driscoll".
  8. ^ Lee, Bryan (30 July 2011). "Royal Oak Hotel, 200 Broadway, Cardiff, CF24 1QJ". Wales Online. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
  9. ^ Silk, Huw (28 January 2016). "'He was never world champion but was regarded as one by his fellow Welsh people' The story of how a Cardiff-born boxer changed his sport". Wales Online. Retrieved 31 January 2016.

Bibliography

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