A very special commemoration will take place in Maitland this Tuesday evening to honour one of Maitland’s most famous sons.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
At the Maitland Regional Art Gallery, noted author and historian Peter FitzSimons will pay tribute to boxer Les Darcy who died in the United States 98 years ago after an illustrious career that was dogged by some controversy.
Mr FitzSimons, who wrote an autobiography about Darcy five years ago, has promised to reveal some new information about the famous fighter.
His book sold 300,000 copies around Australia.
Controversy still lingers about Darcy’s refusal to appear in posters to encourage recruitment in World War 1 and about his alleged reluctance to join the army.
But Mr FitzSimons fiercely defends the boxer’s reputation as a brave man who was devoted to helping his family.
Speaking to The Mercury this week, Mr FitzSimons said: “Les Darcy’s story has everything for everyone: redemption, war, tragedy and triumph.
“While he was one of the greatest boxers of all time, he was far more – a man who loved his family and I believe, a hero.
“Darcy was a freak of nature with phenomenal fitness.
“He had a long reach and great ability to give and to take punches.
“And since I wrote his autobiography about five years ago, I have not changed my views on him.”
But the author does have definite views about professional boxing.
“With what I know now, I am now very much against boxing as a sport, where men hit each other into unconsciousness – though it was a great sport at that time,” Mr FitzSimons said.
He said the effects of concussion on many fighters had altered his views.
About Darcy not appearing on recruiting posters and the criticism of him not going to fight in World War 1, Mr FitzSimons said: “Even Australia’s Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies declined to go to war – though his three brothers did.
Menzies said then: ‘Some things in my personal life are not for the public domain.”
Sir Robert, Australia’s longest serving prime minister, never gave a reason for not enlisting in the army.
Darcy’s top priority at that time had been to support his family, which numbered 10.
“His father was a drunk and he had one brother with a disability,” Mr FitzSimons told The Mercury.
“He was very protective towards his family and he looked after them.
“[He]bought a house for his mum – and paid it off after six fights.”
Darcy knocked out Harold Hardwick to become the Australian heavyweight champion in 1916.
“Les Darcy was given a standing ovation in New York’s Madison Square Garden when he arrived there – a very rare tribute,” Mr FitzSimons said.
He was in New York when he contracted septicaemia and experienced complications following dental work needed after bout injuries.
Darcy died in New York on May 24, 1917. When his body was returned to Australia, half a million people attended his funeral in Sydney.
“When I was in New York, I learned some fresh information about his death there and I will be talking about this in Maitland on Tuesday evening.
“I believe Darcy should be remembered in Australia for what he was: a great boxer and a dedicated family man.
“He was certainly not a coward.”
And he quipped: “To anybody who says he was – why, I will knock them down myself.”
* Mr FitzSimons’ appearance at Maitland Regional Art Gallery has been arranged with Maitland Library as part of the “Look Who’s Talking?” program.
The event is in association with the Just Peter exhibition at the Gallery, where memorabilia of the famous fighter will be displayed, together with the book by Mr FitzSimons.
The event at Maitland Regional Art Gallery, 230 High Street starts at 6pm.
