Boxing in Chester - Jimmy Walsh 1939 Q&A
It's a shame that the name of former British lightweight champion Jimmy Walsh is so little heard of in boxing circles today. This tremendous lightweight-cum-welter from Chester was one of Britain's best in the highly competitive 1930s era. A list of the men he beat reads like a 'who's who' of '30s bantam, feather and lightweights: Jack 'Kid' Berg, Ernie Roderick, Maurice Holtzer, Dick Corbett, Harry Mizler, Benny Caplan, Dave Crowley, George Daly, Benny Sharkey, Dave Finn, Carlo Orlandi and Len Wickwar all finished second when they stepped inside the ring with Walsh.
In this questions and answers session from 1939, Walsh discusses the highs and lows of his career to date, as well as his future plans.
What was the hardest fight in your career?
When I think of a hard fight I think of Maurice Holtzer when he was reigning featherweight champion of France. I met him at the Royal Albert Hall, London, and in the first fight I won on a foul. The second time we met I won on points.
If any fighter hits more than his weight, Holtzer certainly does, and it took all the science I knew to evade his blows and get home my scoring points.
When did your name hit the headlines?
After my fight at Liverpool Stadium with Harry Mizler. Harry was then undefeated lightweight champion of Britain. We weighed in at 8.12, and after a really classic fight I was decalred the winner. Anyone beating Harry then had to get attention, and I certainly did.
Which fights gave you the greatest thrill?
Two stick out. There was the one when I licked Johnny McMillan when I was challenger for the featherweight title. Johnny was a superb boxer, and I could hardly believe it when I won.
The other was when I fought Seaman Watson. Watson beat me in 15 rounds at Liverpool Stadium, but I can still remember the thrill of the fight as it swayed one way and the other.
What are your interests outside boxing?
I like to potter about the garden. I like a game of billiards. I like to do a bit of running. I like to go to the cinema, especially with Edward G. Robinson or Spencer Tracy in the chief role.
What were the strong and weak points of the three best men you've met?
That's a tricky question, but here goes. Take Harry Mizler first. Yes, he's one of the best. If he has a weakness it is getting out of clinches. I could generally hit him then, but in the clinches and fighting inside Harry is powerful, and he has a solid punch.
Next I'd take Carlo Orlandi, when he was lightweight champion of Europe. He was a fighter all the time, had a telling left hand, and worked inside all the time. His weakness was that he depended too much on his left and if you watched it you were all right.
Then Ernie Roderick. Although I consider him one of the best I've met, I always found it easy to outbox him. I could always beat him when I led with my left hand. Ernie never led with his left. He came in with both hands, and that suited me. I lost my fight with Ernie at the welterweight poundage, but I was not fighting fit that night.
What is your outstanding memory of boxing?
When I fought Louis Botes, the South African featherweight champion. I came in as a substitute, hoping to put up a show, and imagine my delight when I found I was outpointing the South African at every move.
That may seem a strange fight to be outstanding, but Botes was such a grand boxer, and I learned so much of the finer points of the game in the ring that night, that it was a revelation to me.
Who has helped you most in your fighting career?
Put down Mr Dom Vairo, my manager. I know that when I have a fight on he is giving me all he has - time, thought and experience. These have been behind me and given me the confidence necessary to win championship fights.
What was the hardest punch you ever took?
From Benny Caplan in the third round at the Empress Stadium, London. It felt like a thunderbolt, and I never knew how I was able to withstand it.
Which were your best and worst fights?
My best was against Kid Berg when I won the lightweight championship of Britain at Liverpool. I won it in nine rounds.
My worst fight was against Tommy Jones, of Derby, at Carntyne, Glasgow, when the referee stopped the fight and declared it "no contest". I didn't blame the referee for stopping the fight, but in all my 200 fights that was the first time I'd ever been put out of the ring. The reason for the bad fight was simply that Tommy Jones is a southpaw and although it may seem a confession of weakness from an experienced ringster, I cannot put up a good show against a southpaw. The stance just makes me helpless, as anyone who saw that fight will admit.
What is your immediate aim?
Although I can still do the lightweight poundage, I'm stronger as a welter, and I know I can beat Ernie Roderick. So I'm after his British title, and I can be ready just as soon as the fight can be arranged.
Boxing videos
Jimmy Walsh vs. Harry Mizler (1936)
Jimmy Walsh and Harry Mizler training for the above fight (clip starts 2:39 mins in)
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