{{Short description|Australian boxer (1895–1917)}} {{Use Australian English|date=December 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox boxer | name = Les Darcy | image = Les_Darcy_Suit_2.jpg | realname = James Leslie Darcy | nickname = The Maitland Wonder Bub | weight = Middleweight | height = {{height|ft=5|in=6}} | reach = {{convert|71|in|cm|0|abbr=on}} | nationality = Australian | birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1895|10|28}} | birth_place = Stradbroke, near Woodville, New South Wales, Australia | death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1917|5|24|1895|10|28}} | death_place = Memphis, Tennessee, United States | style = Orthodox | total = 56 | wins = 52 | KO = 32 | losses = 4 }}
'''James Leslie Darcy''' (28 October 1895{{spaced ndash}}24 May 1917)<ref>[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1620800 The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 – 1957), Sat 26 May 1917, Page 20 "Death of Les Darcy"] Retrieved 12-02-2018</ref> was an Australian boxer. He was a middleweight, but held the Australian Heavyweight Championship title at the same time.
Les Darcy was the 2003 Inductee for the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame Old Timers category and was the first to be elevated to Legend status in 2009.
==History== [[File:"Les Darcy at the blacksmith shop door", East Maitland, ca. 1910 - Victor Studios (3583440997).jpg|thumb|left|Les Darcy in the door of a blacksmith shop door", East Maitland, ca. 1910.]] Les Darcy was born near Maitland, New South Wales. He started boxing as an amateur at age fifteen and quickly turned professional. He won his first sixteen fights before challenging the veteran Bob Whitelaw for the Australian welterweight title. Darcy lost the twenty-round decision but, in a rematch, knocked Whitelaw out in five rounds.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}
Darcy graduated from regional bouts to fighting in Sydney Stadium, in Rushcutters Bay, and promoters began to import talent to challenge him. He lost his first two fights in Sydney, one by decision and one by foul, to America's Fritz Holland.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The next year Darcy faced another American, Jeff Smith, in what was considered a contest for the Australian world middleweight title. When Darcy complained of a low blow at the end of the fifth round, the referee believed that Darcy did not want to continue and awarded the decision to Smith. In a rematch, Darcy was awarded the victory when Smith punched him in the groin.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}
As Australian world middleweight champ, Darcy defeated such top-flight visiting Americans as Eddie McGoorty, Billy Murray, Jimmy Clabby, George Chip, George "KO" Brown, and Buck Crouse, as well as knocking out Smith and Holland in rematches. Darcy's opponents are said to have admired his courage, stamina, and punching power. In 1916, Darcy knocked Harold Hardwick out to capture the Australian heavyweight title.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}
thumb|{{center|Darcy, ~1917}} Darcy became embroiled in the politics of conscription during World War I, and left Australia for the United States to avoid the aggravation. He died on 24 May 1917 from septicaemia and medical complications, which was speculated to be from dental work he received to replace teeth that had been knocked out during a bout.{{sfn|FitzSimons|2007|p=187}}
After his death, Darcy's embalmed body was returned to Australia, where an estimated half-million people paid their respects. His brother Frank, also a boxer who showed many of the attributes of his brother, including pluck, died on 9 May 1919 from influenza, and was buried in the Catholic Cemetery, East Maitland.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article221457618 |title=Frank DARCY dead |newspaper=The Sun |issue=2761 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=8 May 1919 |access-date=4 October 2021 |page=7 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
==Legacy== *Darcy was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993, the World Boxing Hall of Fame in October 1998, and the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003. *Darcy was the subject of an episode of the 1950 radio series ''Famous Sportsmen of the Past''<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article206234977 |title=LES DARCY'S LIFE STORY DRAMATISED |newspaper=The Age |issue=29,664 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=25 May 1950 |accessdate=4 March 2024 |page=1 ("THE AGE" RADIO SUPPLEMENT) |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> *Darcy was the subject of a 1950 radio feature<ref>{{Citation | title=NEW SPORTING FEATURE ON LIFE OF LES DARCY | journal=ABC Weekly | volume=12| issue=21 (27 May 1950) | location=Sydney | publisher=ABC | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1692568050 | id=nla.obj-1692568050 | access-date=4 March 2024 | via=Trove }}</ref> *He was the subject of a 1952 episode of the radio show ''They Were Champions''<ref>{{Citation | title=Radio ROUNDABOUT | journal=ABC Weekly | volume=14| issue=35 (30 August 1952) | location=Sydney | publisher=ABC | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1383260678 | id=nla.obj-1383260678 | access-date=4 March 2024 | via=Trove }}</ref> *His life was dramatised in the 1955 Australian radio serial ''The Life Story of Les Darcy'' *His life was dramatised as an episode of the 1988 Australian television series ''Mike Willesee's Australians'' where Darcy was played by Peter Phelps *In 2001, Raffaele Marcellino's opera ''The Flight of Les Darcy'', with libretto by Robert Jarman, premiered at the "10 Days on the Island" festival in Hobart. The character of Darcy has no singing role but is portrayed by a dancer, and draws on the story that he played the violin to prepare himself for fights.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=7BIR3FIhVRsC&dq=les+darcy+violin&pg=PT43 Peter FitzSimons, ''The Ballad of Les Darcy'']</ref>
==Professional boxing record== {{S-start}} |- | style="text-align:center;" colspan="8"|'''52 Wins''' (32 knockouts, 19 decisions, 1 disqualification), '''4 Losses''', '''0 Draws'''<ref>Table information is compiled from "Les Darcy – Boxer"; Maitland Tourism, p. 1; Park and Champion, pp. 354–355; and Power, p. 159. Any conflicting data is footnoted.</ref> |- |align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|'''Res.''' |align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|'''Record''' |align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|'''Opponent''' |align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|'''Type''' |align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|'''Rd.''' |align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|'''Date''' |align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|'''Location''' |align=center style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|'''Notes''' |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |52–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} George Chip |{{small|KO}} |{{small|9 (20)}} |{{small|1916-09-30}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales}} |align=left|{{small|For world middleweight title (Australian version)}} |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |50–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Dave Smith |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|11 (20)}} |{{small|1916-08-16}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane, Queensland}} |align=left|{{small|For Australian heavyweight title}} |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |49–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Dave Smith |{{small|KO}} |{{small|12 (20)}} |{{small|1916-06-24}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales}} |align=left|{{small|For Australian heavyweight title}} |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |48–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Buck Crouse |{{small|KO}} |{{small|2 (20)}} |{{small|1916-05-29}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |47–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|Romania}} Alex Costica |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|4 (20)}} |{{small|1916-05-13}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales}} |align=left|{{small|For world middleweight title (Australian version)<br/>Fight stopped by police inspector after Costica had been badly beaten}} |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |46–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} George "K.O." Brown |{{small|Decision}} |{{small|20 (20)}} |{{small|1916-04-08}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |45–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Les O'Donnell |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|7 (20)}} |{{small|1916-03-25}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales}} |align=left|{{small|For Australian heavyweight title}} |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |44–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Harold Hardwick |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|7 (20)}} |{{small|1916-02-19}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales}} |align=left|{{small|For Australian heavyweight title}} |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |43–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} George "K.O." Brown |{{small|Decision}} |{{small|20 (20)}} |{{small|1916-01-15}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |42–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Eddie McGoorty |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|8 (20)}} |{{small|1915-12-27}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales}} |align=left|{{small|For world middleweight title (Australian version)}} |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |41–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Billy Murray |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|6 (20)}} |{{small|1915-11-01}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} West Melbourne Stadium, West Melbourne, Victoria}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |40–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Jimmy Clabby |{{small|Decision}} |{{small|20 (20)}} |{{small|1915-10-23}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales}} |align=left|{{small|For world middleweight title (Australian version)}} |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |39–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} Fred Dyer |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|6 (20)}} |{{small|1915-10-09}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales}} |align=left|{{small|For world middleweight title (Australian version)}} |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |38–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Billy Murray |{{small|Decision}} |{{small|20 (20)}} |{{small|1915-09-04}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales}} |align=left|{{small|For world middleweight title (Australian version)}} |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |37–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Eddie McGoorty |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|15 (20)}} |{{small|1915-07-31}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales}} |align=left|{{small|For world middleweight title (Australian version)}} |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |36–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Mick King |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|10 (20)}} |{{small|1915-06-12}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales}} |align=left|{{small|For world middleweight title (Australian version)}} |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |35–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Jeff Smith |{{small|DQ}} |{{small|2 (20)}} |{{small|1915-05-22}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales}} |align=left|{{small|For world middleweight title (Australian version)}} |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |34–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Fritz Holland |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|13 (20)}} |{{small|1915-05-01}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} West Melbourne Stadium, West Melbourne, Victoria}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |33–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|Belgium}} Henri Demlen |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|5 (20)}} |{{small|1915-04-03}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |32–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Fritz Holland |{{small|Decision}} |{{small|20 (20)}} |{{small|1915-03-13}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |31–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Frank Loughrey |{{small|Decision}} |{{small|20 (20)}} |{{small|1915-02-27}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{no2}}Loss |30–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Jeff Smith |{{small|DQ}} |{{small|5 (20)}} |{{small|1915-01-23}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales}} |align=left|{{small|For world middleweight title (Australian version)}} |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |30–3 |align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} Fred Dyer |{{small|Decision}} |{{small|20 (20)}} |{{small|1914-12-26}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Baker's Stadium, Brisbane, Queensland}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |29–3 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Gus Christie |{{small|Decision}} |{{small|20 (20)}} |{{small|1914-11-07}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |28–3 |align=left|{{flagicon|France}} Victor "K.O." Marchand |{{small|KO}} |{{small|5 (20)}} |{{small|1914-10-05}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{no2}}Loss |27–3 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Fritz Holland |{{small|DQ}} |{{small|18 (20)}} |{{small|1914-09-12}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{no2}}Loss |27–2 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Fritz Holland |{{small|Decision}} |{{small|20 (20)}} |{{small|1914-07-18}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |27–1 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Billy McNabb |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|4 (20)}} |{{small|1914-04-23}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Andrews Ascot Stadium, West Maitland, New South Wales}}<ref>Andrews Ascot Stadium, also known simply as Andrews' Stadium, was an open-air arena in Abbott Street, West Maitland, behind the Currency Lass Hotel. It measured {{convert|75|ft|m}} by {{convert|90|ft|m}}, and held about 1000 people (Power, p. 132). Billy Hannan, one of Darcy's opponents, describes it as a 'ponced-up dump' (Park and Champion, p. 30) {{coord|32|44|24.42|S|151|33|44.38|E|type:landmark_region:AU|display=inline}}.</ref> |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |26–1 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Bob Whitelaw |{{small|KO}} |{{small|5 (20)}} |{{small|1914-03-21}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Andrews Ascot Stadium, West Maitland, New South Wales}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |25–1 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Young Hanley |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|5 (20)}} |{{small|1914-01-30}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Olympia A.C., Newtown, New South Wales}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |24–1 |align=left|{{flagicon|England}} Jack Clarke |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|9 (20)}} |{{small|1914-01-05}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Olympia A.C., Newtown, New South Wales}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{no2}}Loss |23–1 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Bob Whitelaw |{{small|Decision}} |{{small|20 (20)}} |{{small|1913-11-03}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Victoria Theatre, Newcastle, New South Wales}} |align=left|{{small|For Australian welterweight title}} |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |23–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Billy McNabb |{{small|Decision}} |{{small|20 (20)}} |{{small|1913-10-25}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Andrews Ascot Stadium, West Maitland, New South Wales}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |22–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Joe Shakespeare |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|7 (20)}} |{{small|1913-09-27}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Andrews Ascot Stadium, West Maitland, New South Wales}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |21–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Reg Regio Delaney |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|8 (20)}} |{{small|1913-07-19}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Andrews Ascot Stadium, West Maitland, New South Wales}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |20–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Billy Hannan |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|18 (20)}} |{{small|1913-03-15}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Andrews Ascot Stadium, West Maitland, New South Wales}} |align=left|{{small|Police intervened}} |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |19–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Jim Burns |{{small|KO}} |{{small|11 (20)}} |{{small|1912-12-14}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Adelphi Hall, West Maitland, New South Wales}}<ref>Now defunct; current address 196 High Street, Maitland. {{coord|32|44|23.76|S|151|33|49.22|E|type:landmark_region:AU|display=inline}}</ref> |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |18–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Dave Depena |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|9 (20)}} |{{small|1912-11-04}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Summer Park, Newcastle, New South Wales}}<ref>Summer Park Stadium was built in 1905 and was originally known as Rowes Running Track, later as Newcastle Athletic Pavilion (Power, p.151). It was located 'directly opposite Honeysuckle Station, Hunter St West, Newcastle, where the present Waterboard Offices now stand' (Power, p.111) {{coord|32|55|38.97|S|151|45|54.55|E|type:landmark_region:AU|display=inline}}</ref> |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |17–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Peter Barnes |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|9 (10)}} |{{small|1912-09-28}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Summer Park, Newcastle, New South Wales}} |align=left|{{small|Final, 10-stone competition}} |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |16–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Peter Devon<ref>Also listed as 'Hugh Devon' (Power, p. 125</ref> |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|6 (8)}} |{{small|1912-09-21}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Summer Park, Newcastle, New South Wales}} |align=left|{{small|Semi-final, 10-stone competition}} |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |15–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Harry Richards |{{small|Decision}} |{{small|8 (8)}} |{{small|1912-09-14}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Summer Park, Newcastle, New South Wales}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |14–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Jim Burns |{{small|Decision}} |{{small|6 (6)}} |{{small|1912-08-24}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Summer Park, Newcastle, New South Wales}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |13–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Tom Page |{{small|Decision}} |{{small|10 (10)}} |{{small|1912-05-04}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Summer Park, Newcastle, New South Wales}} |align=left|{{small|Summer Park tournament, 10 stone division, final}} |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |12–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Harry Emery |{{small|Decision}} |{{small|8 (8)}} |{{small|1912-04-27}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Summer Park, Newcastle, New South Wales}} |align=left|{{small|Summer Park tournament, 10 stone division, semi-final}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |11–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Tom Rhymer<ref>Alternatively spelled as 'Rymer' (Power, p.159; Maitland Tourism, p.1.</ref> |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|6 (8)}} |{{small|1912-04-06}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Summer Park, Newcastle, New South Wales}} |align=left|{{small|Summer Park tournament, 10 stone division, round two}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |10–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Roger Fairbairn |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|4 (6)}} |{{small|1912-03-30}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Summer Park, Newcastle, New South Wales}} |align=left|{{small|Summer Park tournament, 10 stone division, round one}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |9–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Harry Ford<ref name="Carr, p.11">{{cite news | last = Carr | first = Matt | title = Extra bouts win for Darcy grave plan | newspaper = Newcastle Herald | location = Newcastle | pages = 11 | publisher = Fairfax Media | date = 11 February 2010 | url = http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac;jsessionid=DDBAD9BC66576E0727BAF945A5FC3349?sy=afr&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=1month&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=brs&cls=753&clsPage=1&docID=NCH1002116E5ET505O06 | access-date = 17 February 2012}}</ref> |{{small|KO}} |{{small|(11) 10}} |{{small|1912-02}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Summer Park, Newcastle, New South Wales}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |8–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Peter Cook<ref name="Carr, p.11"/> |{{small|KO}} |{{small|(10) 10}} |{{small|1912-02}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Summer Park, Newcastle, New South Wales}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |7–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Harry Emery<ref name="Carr, p.11"/> |{{small|KO}} |{{small|6 (10)}} |{{small|1912-01-10}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Summer Park, Newcastle, New South Wales}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |6–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Les Althorne<ref name="Carr, p.11"/> |{{small|KO}} |{{small|3 (4)}} |{{small|1911-09-12}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Maitland Showground, Maitland, New South Wales}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |5–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Sam Norman<ref>Swanwick, p.30</ref> |{{small|Decision}} |{{small|(4) (4)}} |{{small|1911-09-12}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Maitland Showground, Maitland, New South Wales}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |4–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Sid Pascoe<ref name="Carr, p.11"/> |{{small|KO}} |{{small|2 (10)}} |{{small|1911-08-08}}<ref>{{cite news | last = Popling | first = J. V. | title = Boxing Recollections | newspaper = Morning Bulletin | location = Rockhampton, Queensland | pages = 12 | date = 20 December 1946 | url = http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56411642?searchTerm=%22les%20darcy%22%20pascoe&searchLimits=l-textSearchScope=*ignore*%7C*ignore*%7Cl-word=*ignore*%7C*ignore*%7Csortby=dateDesc | access-date = 17 February 2012}}</ref> |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Andrews Ascot Stadium, West Maitland, New South Wales}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |3–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Tom Donohue<ref name=Lonergan>Leo James Lonergan fought Darcy twice, first under the name of 'Young Texas' in April 1911, then under the name of 'Tom Donohue' (listed as 'Dan Donohue' in Power, p. 159) in July 1911. Darcy fought the April bout under the name of 'Pat Donohue', and the July bout under his real name (Park and Champion, p. 31).</ref> |{{small|Decision}} |{{small|4 (4)}} |{{small|1911-07-26}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} West Maitland Town Hall, West Maitland, New South Wales}}<ref>Park and Champion, p. 31.</ref> |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |2–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} Young Texas<ref name=Lonergan /> |{{small|Decision}} |{{small|4 (4)}} |{{small|1911-04-07}}<ref>This match was a preliminary to the fourth match-up between Peter Cook and Billy Hannan (Park and Champion, p. 159), which, according to [http://boxrec.com/date_search.php?yyyy=1911&mm=04&dd=07/ BoxRec], was held on 7 April 1911.</ref> |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} West Maitland Town Hall, West Maitland, New South Wales}} |align=left| |-align=center |{{yes2}}Win |1–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|Australia}} George 'Governor' Balser |{{small|Decision}} |{{small|11 (10)}} |{{small|12-1910}} |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|AUS}} Thornton, New South Wales}} |align=left| {{s-end}}
==References== {{reflist}}
===Other resources=== {{refbegin}} * {{cite web | url=http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=39979&cat=boxer | title =Les Darcy – Boxer | publisher=BoxRec.com}} * Maitland Tourism (2008). ''[http://svc069.bookeasy.com/images/maitland/Les_Darcy.pdf Les Darcy: The Legend: 1895–1917]''. [Brochure]. Maitland, New South Wales: Maitland Tourism & Maitland City Council. * {{cite book | last = Swanwick | first = Raymond | title = Les Darcy, Australia's golden boy of boxing | publisher = U. Smith | year = 1965 | location = Sydney}} * {{cite book |last1=Park |first1=Ruth |last2=Champion |first2=Rafe |title=Home before dark |year=1995 |publisher=Viking |location=Ringwood, Victoria |isbn=0-670-85739-4}} * {{cite book | last = Power | first = Bob | title = Fighters of the North: A saga of early battling days on the Northern fistic front | publisher = Bob Power [self-published] | year = 1976 | location = Newcastle, New South Wales}} {{refend}}
==Reference sources== '''Pictures held and digitised as part of the [http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn3046935 Arnold Thomas boxing collection] by the National Library of Australia ''' * [http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn3060377 James Lesley Darcy] * [http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn3060487 James Lesley Darcy] * [http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn3050306 Les Darcy giving demonstration of punches with his tutor Dave Smith]
==Further reading== *{{cite book |last=FitzSimons |first=Peter |date=2007 |title=The Ballad of Les Darcy |location=Sydney |publisher=Harper Collins Publishers |isbn=9780732286361 }} *{{cite book |last=Fenton |first=Peter |title=Les Darcy: The Legend of the Fighting Man}} *{{cite book |last1=Park |first1=Ruth |last2=Champion |first2=Rafe |title=Home Before Dark: The Story of Les Darcy, a Great Australian Hero }} *{{cite book |last=Power |first=Bob |title=The Les Darcy American Venture }}
==External links== * [https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/darcy-james-leslie-les-5881 ADB biography] * [http://www.nma.gov.au/collections/les_darcy_locket/ Les Darcy at the National Museum of Australia]
{{s-start}} {{s-pre}} |- {{s-bef|before=Jeff Smith}} {{s-ttl | title= World Middleweight Champion |years= 22 May 1915 – 24 May 1917}}<br>Died {{s-vac |next=Randolph Turpin<br><small>BBBC recognition</small>}} |- {{s-end}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Darcy, Les}} Category:1895 births Category:1917 deaths Category:Australian folklore Category:Australian male boxers Category:Deaths from sepsis in the United States Category:Heavyweight boxers Category:Middleweight boxers Category:Sportspeople from Maitland, New South Wales Category:Sport Australia Hall of Fame inductees Category:Sportsmen from New South Wales Category:20th-century Australian sportsmen