Digger Stanley


George 'Digger' Stanley was an English boxer who was British and European bantamweight boxing champion.

Early life

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

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

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

All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted in the win/loss/draw column.
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes
115Loss73–21–8 George KiltsDQ6 13 Jul 1918St James Hall, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England
114Loss73–20–8 George KiltsDQ9 22 Jun 1918St James Hall, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England
113Loss73–19–8 Walter Young RossDQ6 22 Apr 1918Hoxton Baths, Hoxton, London, England
112Win73–18–8 Johnny HughesPTS2023 Mar 1918The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England
111Win72–18–8 Bill BeynonKO5 25 Feb 1918Queen's Hall, Cardiff, Wales
110Loss71–18–8 Tommy NoblePTS2018 Feb 1918The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England
109Loss71–17–8 Walter Young RossPTS1528 Jan 1918Pitfield Street Baths, Hoxton, London, England
108Win71–16–8 Tommy NoblePTS2023 Oct 1916The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England
107Loss70–16–8 Joe FoxDQ10 9 Oct 1916Central Baths, Bradford, Yorkshire, England
106Win70–15–8 Sid WhatleyKO3 18 Sep 1916The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England
105Loss69–15–8 Young Joe BrooksPTS1513 Mar 1916Hoxton Baths, Hoxton, London, England
104Loss69–14–8 Joe SymondsDQ13 17 Dec 1915Cosmopolitan Gymnasium, Plymouth, Devon, England
103Loss69–13–8 Tommy HarrisonDQ4 11 Nov 1915Liverpool Stadium, Pudsey Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, England
102Win69–12–8 Joe FoxPTS1516 Sep 1915Liverpool Stadium, Pudsey Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, England
101Draw68–12–8 Jimmy BarryPTS1529 Mar 1915National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England
100Win68–12–7 Pedlar PalmerRTD4 19 Nov 1914West London Stadium, Church Street, Edgware Road, London, England
99Loss67–12–7 Curley WalkerDQ15 20 Apr 1914National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, EnglandLost Lonsdale British bantamweight title
98Win67–11–7 Bill BeynonPTS2027 Oct 1913National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, EnglandWon Lonsdale British bantamweight title
97Loss66–11–7 Bill BeynonPTS202 Jun 1913National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, EnglandLost Lonsdale British bantamweight title
96Win66–10–7 Alex LaffertyPTS2021 Oct 1912National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, EnglandRetained Lonsdale British bantamweight title
95Win65–10–7 Oswald StapletonKO9 30 Aug 1912Skating Rink, Chelmsford, Essex, England
94Loss64–10–7 Charles LedouxKO7 23 Jun 1912 Grand Hall des Magasins Généraux, Dieppe, Seine-Maritime, France Lost IBU and world bantamweight titles
93Win64–9–7 Charles LedouxPTS2022 Apr 1912National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, EnglandRetained IBU and world bantamweight titles
92Loss63–9–7 Jean PoesyPTS1526 Feb 1912National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England
91Win63–8–7 Oswald StapletonKO6 11 Dec 1911Drill Hall, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales
90Win62–8–7 Ike Young BradleyPTS2014 Sep 1911Liverpool Stadium, Pudsey Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, EnglandRetained IBU and world bantamweight titles
Won vacant BBBofC British bantamweight title
89Draw61–8–7 Tommy O'TooleNWS68 Feb 1911American A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
88Draw61–8–7 Frankie BurnsNWS1027 Jan 1911National Sporting Club, New York City, New York, U.S.
87Win61–8–7 Johnny CondonPTS205 Dec 1910The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, EnglandRetained IBU and world bantamweight titles
86Win60–8–7 Joe BowkerKO8 17 Oct 1910National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, EnglandWon IBU, Lonsdale, and world bantamweight titles
85Draw59–8–7 Young PiercePTS2014 Feb 1910National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England
84Win59–8–6 Dick GoldingKO3 27 Dec 1909The Queens Theatre, Poplar, London, England
83Win58–8–6 Oswald StapletonKO5 3 Nov 1909The Athenaeum Club, Angel Court, Throgmorton Street, City of London, London, England
82Win57–8–6 Alf MitchellPTS614 Jun 1909National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England
81Draw56–8–6 Jimmy WalshPTS1524 May 1909National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England
80Win56–8–5 Bill JordanPTS1022 Mar 1909National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England
79Draw55–8–5 Wally MorganPTS619 Nov 1908Cromwell Hall, Putney, London, England
78Win55–8–4 Sam KellarPTS2019 Oct 1908National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England
77Win54–8–4 Young SullivanPTS64 Apr 1908Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
76Win53–8–4 Ike Young BradleyPTS1530 Mar 1908Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
75Win52–8–4 Driver William HimphenPTS67 Mar 1908Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
74Win51–8–4 Wally MorganPTS622 Feb 1908Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
73Win50–8–4 Wally MorganPTS630 Nov 1907Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
72Win49–8–4 Young LilleyPTS628 Nov 1907Marlborough Lines Gymnasium, Aldershot, Hampshire, England
71Loss48–8–4 Bob KendrickDQ9 12 Sep 1907Liverpool Gymnastic Club, Liverpool, Merseyside, England
70Loss48–7–4 Al DelmontDQ12 6 Jun 1907Liverpool Gymnastic Club, Liverpool, Merseyside, EnglandLost World & English 112lbs bantamweight title claims
Stanley disqualified for a low blow
69Win48–6–4 Ike Young BradleyPTS2013 Dec 1906Liverpool Gymnastic Club, Liverpool, Merseyside, EnglandRetained World & English 112lbs bantamweight title claims
68Win47–6–4 Harry Young SloughKO18 21 May 1906Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, EnglandRetained English 112lbs title claim
67Win46–6–4 Billy HughesRTD16 10 Feb 1906Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England
66Win45–6–4 Ike Young BradleyPTS2020 Jan 1906Liverpool Gymnastic Club, Liverpool, Merseyside, EnglandClaimed disputed vacant world & English 112lbs bantamweight titles
65Draw44–6–4 Darkey HaleyPTS618 Dec 1905National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England
64Loss44–6–3 Jimmy WalshPTS1520 Oct 1905Pythian Rink, Chelsea, Massachusetts, U.S.For world bantamweight title claim
63Loss44–5–3 George MoorePTS61 Jul 1905Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
62Win44–4–3 Darkey HaleyPTS624 Jun 1905Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
61Win43–4–3 Louis D'OrRTD7 17 Apr 1905National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England
60Win42–4–3 Alf SmithKO4 25 Mar 1905Hounslow Town Gymnasium, Hounslow, London, England
59Win41–4–3 Lew BransonKO4 27 Feb 1905Olympia, Kensington, London, England
58Loss40–4–3 Owen MoranPTS2023 Jan 1905National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, EnglandLost Lonsdale and Commonwealth bantamweight titles
5740–3–3 Jack JohnsonND416 Jan 1905Temple of Varieties, Hounslow, London, EnglandNo decision trial bout
56Win40–3–3 Syd WilmottKO4 19 Nov 1904Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, EnglandWon vacant Commonwealth bantamweight title
55Win39–3–3 Harry McDermottKO19 17 Oct 1904Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England
54Win38–3–3 Harry McDermottKO6 11 Jul 1904Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England
53Draw37–3–3 Jimmy WalshPTS156 Jun 1904National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England
52Win37–3–2 Jimmy WalshPTS1518 Apr 1904National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England
5136–3–2 Alf ButlerND321 Dec 1903Drill Hall, West Ealing, London, EnglandNo decision trial bout
50Win36–3–2 Jack WalkerPTS1514 Dec 1903National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, EnglandRetained Lonsdale flyweight title
49Win35–3–2 Owen MoranPTS159 Nov 1903National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, EnglandWon Lonsdale British flyweight title
48Win34–3–2 George DixonPTS612 Oct 1903National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England
47Loss33–3–2 George DixonPTS61 Aug 1903Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
46Win33–2–2 Jim WilliamsPTS611 Jul 1903Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
45Loss32–2–2 Pedlar PalmerPTS1211 May 1903Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
44Win32–1–2 Jack GuyonPTS1028 Mar 1903Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
43Win31–1–2 Jim KenrickPTS614 Mar 1903Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
42Win30–1–2 Jack WalkerPTS122 Mar 1903Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, EnglandBilled World and English 110lbs titles
41Win29–1–2 Jack GuyonPTS621 Feb 1903Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
40Win28–1–2 Jim DenhartPTS614 Feb 1903Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
39Draw27–1–2 Jack GuyonPTS67 Feb 1903Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
38Win27–1–1 Dave MorbinPTS617 Jan 1903Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
37Win26–1–1 Tom RippingtonPTS612 Jan 1903Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
3625–1–1 Bob GarwoodND31 Dec 1902National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, EnglandNo decision trial bout
3525–1–1 Tom BowkerND315 Nov 1902National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, EnglandNo decision trial bout
34Win25–1–1 Jack GuyonPTS1010 Nov 1902National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England
3324–1–1 Tom BowkerND320 Oct 1902National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, EnglandNo decision trial bout
32Win24–1–1 Harry Young SloughKO5 13 Oct 1902Fairground, Le Neves Booth, Leicester, Leicestershire, England
3123–1–1 William KingND36 Oct 1902National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, EnglandNo decision trial bout
30Win23–1–1 Jack FitzpatrickPTS622 Sep 1902Tee to Tum Club, Stamford Hill, London, England
29Win22–1–1 Tom KingPTS620 Sep 1902Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
28Win21–1–1 George CollinsPTS613 Sep 1902Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
27Win20–1–1 Tom KingPTS66 Sep 1902Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
26Win19–1–1 Cockney CohenPTS630 Aug 1902Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
25Loss18–1–1 Pedlar PalmerPTS1016 Jun 1902Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
24Win18–0–1 Jack FitzpatrickPTS824 May 1902Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
23Win17–0–1 Jack FitzpatrickPTS617 May 1902Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
22Win16–0–1 Dick GoldingPTS1012 May 1902Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
21Win15–0–1 Tibby WatsonPTS65 May 1902Railway Arch Gym, Cambridge Road, Hammersmith, London, England
20Win14–0–1 Jack ChristianPTS63 May 1902Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
19Win13–0–1 Tibby WatsonPTS1014 Apr 1902Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
1812–0–1 Frank ConnorNC310 Apr 1902Hammersmith Gymnasium, Cambridge Road, Hammersmith, London, EnglandNo decision bye bout
1712–0–1 Sid ClarkeNC33 Apr 1902Hammersmith Gymnasium, Cambridge Road, Hammersmith, London, EnglandNo decision bye bout
16Win12–0–1 Jim KenrickPTS629 Mar 1902Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
15Win11–0–1 Tibby WatsonPTS622 Mar 1902Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
14Win10–0–1 Ginger AtkinsonPTS615 Mar 1902Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
13Win9–0–1 Jim DenhartPTS63 Mar 1902Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
12Win8–0–1 George DunnyPTS1017 Feb 1902Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
11Win7–0–1 Jim DenhartPTS61 Feb 1902Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
10Draw6–0–1 Frank MorcombePTS1223 Jan 1902Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
96–0 Jim DenhartND418 Dec 1901The Atheneum Theatre, Tottenham Court Road, London, EnglandNo decision trial bout
86–0 Jem BurdenND412 Dec 1901The Crown Gym, Lille Road, Fulham, London, EnglandNo decision trial bout
7Win6–0 Owen MoranPTS2017 Jun 1901Slaney Street Assembly Rooms, Birmingham, West Midlands, England
6Win5–0 Jack NormanPTS61 Apr 1901Wonderland, Whitechapel Road, Mile End, London, England
5Win4–0 Charlie WardRTD5 13 Dec 1899The Crown Gym, Lille Road, Fulham, London, England
43–0 Frank JenkinsND412 Dec 1899Paddington Baths,Queen's Road, Bayswater, London, EnglandNo decision trial bout
3Win3–0J NewlandsPTS410 Jul 1899Lillie Hall, West Brompton, London, England
2Win2–0J NewlandsPTS412 Jun 1899Lillie Hall, West Brompton, London, England
1Win1–0Johnny FordPTS1025 Mar 1899Beresford Street Drill Hall, Woolwich, London, England