George 'Digger' Stanley (28 February 1876 – 7 March 1919) was an English boxer who was British and European bantamweight boxing champion.[1]

Digger Stanley
Born
George Stanley

28 February 1876
Died7 March 1919(1919-03-07) (aged 43)
NationalityBritish
Statistics
Weight(s)Bantamweight
Boxing record
Total fights86
Wins56
Losses21
Draws7
No contests2

Early life

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Stanley was a gypsy, and was born in a caravan at Kingston-upon-Thames. He could not read or write, but developed into a clever boxer. His early boxing career was spent fighting in fairground booths.

Professional career

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He began boxing professionally in 1899. In November 1903 he won the vacant British bantamweight title and in December of the same year he won the British flyweight title, but the titles were not recognised by the British Boxing Board of Control until 1909.

In October 1910 he fought Joe Bowker for the British and European bantamweight titles. He scored an eighth-round knockout to secure the titles. Stanley was also recognised by the National Sporting Club as the holder of the World bantamweight title, although he was not recognised as such in America.

In December 1910 he defended his British title against Johnny Condon, winning on points. In September 1911 he defended it again, against Ike Bradley, again winning on points.

In April and June 1912, he defended his European title twice against the Frenchman, Charles Ledoux. He won the first fight in Covent Garden on points, but lost the second fight in Dieppe, being knocked out in the seventh round.

In October 1912, he successfully defended his British title against Alex Lafferty, winning on points.

In June 1913, he lost his British title to Bill Beynon, on points, but four months later he beat Benyon on points to regain it. However, in his next defence, in April 1914, he lost the British title to Curley Walker on a disqualification in the thirteenth.

He continued to box but had only ten more fights, losing eight of them and winning two.

He had his last fight in February 1919, losing to Mike Blake, and died a month later, in poverty.

Lonsdale belt

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In 1909, the National Sporting Club began awarding a Lonsdale Belt to the British champion at each weight. The belts were made from 22 carat gold and enamel. Digger Stanley was awarded the first bantamweight belt and was allowed to retain it after successfully defending his British title.

Professional boxing record

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115 fights 73 wins 21 losses
By knockout 18 1
By decision 55 11
By disqualification 0 9
Draws 8
No contests 11
Newspaper decisions/draws 2

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
115 Loss 73–21–8 (13) George Kilts DQ 6 (20) 13 Jul 1918 St James Hall, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England
114 Loss 73–20–8 (13) George Kilts DQ 9 (15) 22 Jun 1918 St James Hall, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England
113 Loss 73–19–8 (13) Walter Young Ross DQ 6 (15) 22 Apr 1918 Hoxton Baths, Hoxton, London, England
112 Win 73–18–8 (13) Johnny Hughes PTS 20 23 Mar 1918 The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England
111 Win 72–18–8 (13) Bill Beynon KO 5 (15) 25 Feb 1918 Queen's Hall, Cardiff, Wales
110 Loss 71–18–8 (13) Tommy Noble PTS 20 18 Feb 1918 The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England
109 Loss 71–17–8 (13) Walter Young Ross PTS 15 28 Jan 1918 Pitfield Street Baths, Hoxton, London, England
108 Win 71–16–8 (13) Tommy Noble PTS 20 23 Oct 1916 The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England
107 Loss 70–16–8 (13) Joe Fox DQ 10 (20) 9 Oct 1916 Central Baths, Bradford, Yorkshire, England
106 Win 70–15–8 (13) Sid Whatley KO 3 (20) 18 Sep 1916 The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England
105 Loss 69–15–8 (13) Young Joe Brooks PTS 15 13 Mar 1916 Hoxton Baths, Hoxton, London, England
104 Loss 69–14–8 (13) Joe Symonds DQ 13 (15) 17 Dec 1915 Cosmopolitan Gymnasium, Plymouth, Devon, England
103 Loss 69–13–8 (13) Tommy Harrison DQ 4 (15) 11 Nov 1915 Liverpool Stadium, Pudsey Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, England
102 Win 69–12–8 (13) Joe Fox PTS 15 16 Sep 1915 Liverpool Stadium, Pudsey Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, England
101 Draw 68–12–8 (13) Jimmy Barry PTS 15 29 Mar 1915 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England
100 Win 68–12–7 (13) Pedlar Palmer RTD 4 (10) 19 Nov 1914 West London Stadium, Church Street, Edgware Road, London, England
99 Loss 67–12–7 (13) Curley Walker DQ 15 (20) 20 Apr 1914 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England Lost Lonsdale British bantamweight title
98 Win 67–11–7 (13) Bill Beynon PTS 20 27 Oct 1913 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England Won Lonsdale British bantamweight title
97 Loss 66–11–7 (13) Bill Beynon PTS 20 2 Jun 1913 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England Lost Lonsdale British bantamweight title
96 Win 66–10–7 (13) Alex Lafferty PTS 20 21 Oct 1912 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England Retained Lonsdale British bantamweight title
95 Win 65–10–7 (13) Oswald Stapleton KO 9 (10) 30 Aug 1912 Skating Rink, Chelmsford, Essex, England
94 Loss 64–10–7 (13) Charles Ledoux KO 7 (20) 23 Jun 1912 Grand Hall des Magasins Généraux, Dieppe, Seine-Maritime, France Lost IBU and world bantamweight titles
93 Win 64–9–7 (13) Charles Ledoux PTS 20 22 Apr 1912 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England Retained IBU and world bantamweight titles
92 Loss 63–9–7 (13) Jean Poesy PTS 15 26 Feb 1912 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England
91 Win 63–8–7 (13) Oswald Stapleton KO 6 (10) 11 Dec 1911 Drill Hall, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales
90 Win 62–8–7 (13) Ike Young Bradley PTS 20 14 Sep 1911 Liverpool Stadium, Pudsey Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, England Retained IBU and world bantamweight titles
Won vacant BBBofC British bantamweight title
89 Draw 61–8–7 (13) Tommy O'Toole NWS 6 8 Feb 1911 American A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
88 Draw 61–8–7 (12) Frankie Burns NWS 10 27 Jan 1911 National Sporting Club, New York City, New York, U.S.
87 Win 61–8–7 (11) Johnny Condon PTS 20 5 Dec 1910 The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England Retained IBU and world bantamweight titles
86 Win 60–8–7 (11) Joe Bowker KO 8 (20) 17 Oct 1910 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England Won IBU, Lonsdale, and world bantamweight titles
85 Draw 59–8–7 (11) Young Pierce PTS 20 14 Feb 1910 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England
84 Win 59–8–6 (11) Dick Golding KO 3 (10) 27 Dec 1909 The Queens Theatre, Poplar, London, England
83 Win 58–8–6 (11) Oswald Stapleton KO 5 (6) 3 Nov 1909 The Athenaeum Club, Angel Court, Throgmorton Street, City of London, London, England
82 Win 57–8–6 (11) Alf Mitchell PTS 6 14 Jun 1909 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England
81 Draw 56–8–6 (11) Jimmy Walsh PTS 15 24 May 1909 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England
80 Win 56–8–5 (11) Bill Jordan PTS 10 22 Mar 1909 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England
79 Draw 55–8–5 (11) Wally Morgan PTS 6 19 Nov 1908 Cromwell Hall, Putney, London, England
78 Win 55–8–4 (11) Sam Kellar PTS 20 19 Oct 1908 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England
77 Win 54–8–4 (11) Young Sullivan PTS 6 4 Apr 1908 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
76 Win 53–8–4 (11) Ike Young Bradley PTS 15 30 Mar 1908 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
75 Win 52–8–4 (11) Driver William Himphen PTS 6 7 Mar 1908 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
74 Win 51–8–4 (11) Wally Morgan PTS 6 22 Feb 1908 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
73 Win 50–8–4 (11) Wally Morgan PTS 6 30 Nov 1907 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
72 Win 49–8–4 (11) Young Lilley PTS 6 28 Nov 1907 Marlborough Lines Gymnasium, Aldershot, Hampshire, England
71 Loss 48–8–4 (11) Bob Kendrick DQ 9 (20) 12 Sep 1907 Liverpool Gymnastic Club, Liverpool, Merseyside, England
70 Loss 48–7–4 (11) Al Delmont DQ 12 (20) 6 Jun 1907 Liverpool Gymnastic Club, Liverpool, Merseyside, England Lost World & English 112lbs bantamweight title claims
Stanley disqualified for a low blow
69 Win 48–6–4 (11) Ike Young Bradley PTS 20 13 Dec 1906 Liverpool Gymnastic Club, Liverpool, Merseyside, England Retained World & English 112lbs bantamweight title claims
68 Win 47–6–4 (11) Harry Young Slough KO 18 (20) 21 May 1906 Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England Retained English 112lbs title claim
67 Win 46–6–4 (11) Billy Hughes RTD 16 (20) 10 Feb 1906 Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England
66 Win 45–6–4 (11) Ike Young Bradley PTS 20 20 Jan 1906 Liverpool Gymnastic Club, Liverpool, Merseyside, England Claimed disputed vacant world & English 112lbs bantamweight titles
65 Draw 44–6–4 (11) Darkey Haley PTS 6 18 Dec 1905 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England
64 Loss 44–6–3 (11) Jimmy Walsh PTS 15 20 Oct 1905 Pythian Rink, Chelsea, Massachusetts, U.S. For world bantamweight title claim
63 Loss 44–5–3 (11) George Moore PTS 6 1 Jul 1905 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
62 Win 44–4–3 (11) Darkey Haley PTS 6 24 Jun 1905 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
61 Win 43–4–3 (11) Louis D'Or RTD 7 (10) 17 Apr 1905 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England
60 Win 42–4–3 (11) Alf Smith KO 4 (4) 25 Mar 1905 Hounslow Town Gymnasium, Hounslow, London, England
59 Win 41–4–3 (11) Lew Branson KO 4 (6) 27 Feb 1905 Olympia, Kensington, London, England
58 Loss 40–4–3 (11) Owen Moran PTS 20 23 Jan 1905 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England Lost Lonsdale and Commonwealth bantamweight titles
57 NC 40–3–3 (11) Jack Johnson ND 4 16 Jan 1905 Temple of Varieties, Hounslow, London, England No decision trial bout
56 Win 40–3–3 (10) Syd Wilmott KO 4 (20) 19 Nov 1904 Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England Won vacant Commonwealth bantamweight title
55 Win 39–3–3 (10) Harry McDermott KO 19 (20) 17 Oct 1904 Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England
54 Win 38–3–3 (10) Harry McDermott KO 6 (20) 11 Jul 1904 Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England
53 Draw 37–3–3 (10) Jimmy Walsh PTS 15 6 Jun 1904 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England
52 Win 37–3–2 (10) Jimmy Walsh PTS 15 18 Apr 1904 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England
51 NC 36–3–2 (10) Alf Butler ND 3 21 Dec 1903 Drill Hall, West Ealing, London, England No decision trial bout
50 Win 36–3–2 (9) Jack Walker PTS 15 14 Dec 1903 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England Retained Lonsdale flyweight title
49 Win 35–3–2 (9) Owen Moran PTS 15 9 Nov 1903 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England Won Lonsdale British flyweight title
48 Win 34–3–2 (9) George Dixon PTS 6 12 Oct 1903 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England
47 Loss 33–3–2 (9) George Dixon PTS 6 1 Aug 1903 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
46 Win 33–2–2 (9) Jim Williams PTS 6 11 Jul 1903 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
45 Loss 32–2–2 (9) Pedlar Palmer PTS 12 11 May 1903 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
44 Win 32–1–2 (9) Jack Guyon PTS 10 28 Mar 1903 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
43 Win 31–1–2 (9) Jim Kenrick PTS 6 14 Mar 1903 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
42 Win 30–1–2 (9) Jack Walker PTS 12 2 Mar 1903 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England Billed World and English 110lbs titles
41 Win 29–1–2 (9) Jack Guyon PTS 6 21 Feb 1903 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
40 Win 28–1–2 (9) Jim Denhart PTS 6 14 Feb 1903 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
39 Draw 27–1–2 (9) Jack Guyon PTS 6 7 Feb 1903 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
38 Win 27–1–1 (9) Dave Morbin PTS 6 17 Jan 1903 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
37 Win 26–1–1 (9) Tom Rippington PTS 6 12 Jan 1903 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
36 NC 25–1–1 (9) Bob Garwood ND 3 1 Dec 1902 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England No decision trial bout
35 NC 25–1–1 (8) Tom Bowker ND 3 15 Nov 1902 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England No decision trial bout
34 Win 25–1–1 (7) Jack Guyon PTS 10 10 Nov 1902 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England
33 NC 24–1–1 (7) Tom Bowker ND 3 20 Oct 1902 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England No decision trial bout
32 Win 24–1–1 (6) Harry Young Slough KO 5 (8) 13 Oct 1902 Fairground, Le Neves Booth, Leicester, Leicestershire, England
31 NC 23–1–1 (6) William King ND 3 6 Oct 1902 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England No decision trial bout
30 Win 23–1–1 (5) Jack Fitzpatrick PTS 6 22 Sep 1902 Tee to Tum Club, Stamford Hill, London, England
29 Win 22–1–1 (5) Tom King PTS 6 20 Sep 1902 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
28 Win 21–1–1 (5) George Collins PTS 6 13 Sep 1902 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
27 Win 20–1–1 (5) Tom King PTS 6 6 Sep 1902 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
26 Win 19–1–1 (5) Cockney Cohen PTS 6 30 Aug 1902 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
25 Loss 18–1–1 (5) Pedlar Palmer PTS 10 16 Jun 1902 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
24 Win 18–0–1 (5) Jack Fitzpatrick PTS 8 24 May 1902 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
23 Win 17–0–1 (5) Jack Fitzpatrick PTS 6 17 May 1902 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
22 Win 16–0–1 (5) Dick Golding PTS 10 12 May 1902 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
21 Win 15–0–1 (5) Tibby Watson PTS 6 5 May 1902 Railway Arch Gym, Cambridge Road, Hammersmith, London, England
20 Win 14–0–1 (5) Jack Christian PTS 6 3 May 1902 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
19 Win 13–0–1 (5) Tibby Watson PTS 10 14 Apr 1902 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
18 NC 12–0–1 (5) Frank Connor NC 3 10 Apr 1902 Hammersmith Gymnasium, Cambridge Road, Hammersmith, London, England No decision bye bout
17 NC 12–0–1 (4) Sid Clarke NC 3 3 Apr 1902 Hammersmith Gymnasium, Cambridge Road, Hammersmith, London, England No decision bye bout
16 Win 12–0–1 (3) Jim Kenrick PTS 6 29 Mar 1902 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
15 Win 11–0–1 (3) Tibby Watson PTS 6 22 Mar 1902 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
14 Win 10–0–1 (3) Ginger Atkinson PTS 6 15 Mar 1902 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
13 Win 9–0–1 (3) Jim Denhart PTS 6 3 Mar 1902 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
12 Win 8–0–1 (3) George Dunny PTS 10 17 Feb 1902 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
11 Win 7–0–1 (3) Jim Denhart PTS 6 1 Feb 1902 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
10 Draw 6–0–1 (3) Frank Morcombe PTS 12 23 Jan 1902 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
9 NC 6–0 (3) Jim Denhart ND 4 18 Dec 1901 The Atheneum Theatre, Tottenham Court Road, London, England No decision trial bout
8 NC 6–0 (2) Jem Burden ND 4 12 Dec 1901 The Crown Gym, Lille Road, Fulham, London, England No decision trial bout
7 Win 6–0 (1) Owen Moran PTS 20 17 Jun 1901 Slaney Street Assembly Rooms, Birmingham, West Midlands, England
6 Win 5–0 (1) Jack Norman PTS 6 1 Apr 1901 Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
5 Win 4–0 (1) Charlie Ward RTD 5 (10) 13 Dec 1899 The Crown Gym, Lille Road, Fulham, London, England
4 NC 3–0 (1) Frank Jenkins ND 4 12 Dec 1899 Paddington Baths,Queen's Road, Bayswater, London, England No decision trial bout
3 Win 3–0 J Newlands PTS 4 10 Jul 1899 Lillie Hall, West Brompton, London, England
2 Win 2–0 J Newlands PTS 4 12 Jun 1899 Lillie Hall, West Brompton, London, England
1 Win 1–0 Johnny Ford PTS 10 25 Mar 1899 Beresford Street Drill Hall, Woolwich, London, England

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Daley, Alex (5 January 2020). "The mysterious and tragic story of Digger Stanley". Boxing News. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
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