Gipsy Daniels


William "Gipsy" Daniels, was a Welsh Light-heavyweight boxing champion of Britain who, in an eighteen-year career, took in 141 contests, including eight fights in New York City, and notably knocked out Max Schmeling in the first round of a 1928 encounter.
There is some confusion as to Daniels' actual name and place of birth. Though a definitive answer was given in Tony Lee's 2009 publication which printed a copy of his birth certificate. Daniels was born in Llanelli on 9 February 1903 as William Daniel to David John Daniel and Francis Ann Roberts. His father was a successful rugby player who represented Llanelli and Wales.

Boxing career

Daniels began his career boxing in contests in his home area of South Wales, and as an eighteen-year-old he fought under the name "Young Daniel" as a middleweight. By the end of 1920 he was boxing in Kent, and managed to win a couple of fights against similarly inexperienced opposition. On 24 February 1921, Daniels fought his first veteran boxer when he was carded to face Belgian Rene DeVos at The Ring in Blackfriars, London. DeVos already had 58 bouts under his belt, 37 of them wins, including a defeat over Daniels' fellow countryman Frank Moody. Daniels lost the 20 round fight on points.
By the end of 1921, Daniels had amassed a fighting record of eleven wins, six losses and two draws. In March 1922 he won a heavyweight competition at Blackfriars, and in October of that year he was fighting at the Pioneer Sporting Club in New York. It was around this time that Daniels was introduced to James J. Johnston, a local boxing promoter. Johnston decided that Daniels needed a gimmick to sell himself to the public, and decided that he looked "like a gypsy". Johnston took Daniels to a Woolworths five-and-ten-cent store and dressed him in cheap bandanna headscarves and hooped earrings. Johnston dubbed him 'Gypsey Daniels', though the most commonly used spelling of his nickname was 'Gipsy'. Daniels fought eight times in New York, including two contests at Madison Square Garden, before returning to Great Britain.
Daniels continued fighting in Wales and England, but in September 1925 he travelled to mainland Europe for the first time in his career, to face Swedish boxer Harry Persson at the Cirkus in Stockholm. Although Daniels lost the bout on points, on his return to Britain he began his most successful period of boxing, remaining undefeated for the next 18 fights. After a win over Frank Moody in April 1927 which earned him the Welsh Light Heavyweight belt, Daniels faced Tom Berry for the British Light-Heavyweight Championship Belt. Daniels won the 20 round bout on points, but he faced a dilemma as to whether to defend the title as the National Sporting Club, who controlled boxing in Great Britain, offered far lower purses than outside promoters. Daniels chose to fight for a non-NSC affiliated promoter to maximise his income, giving up his newly acquired title.
In January 1928, Daniels lost a bout to German, Max Schmeling followed by a defeat to Len Johnson, but in a rematch with Schmeling on 25 February he knocked out the German in the first round. Daniels career continued without the success of his earlier years, losing twice to Walter Neusel in Germany, but beating and drawing with Jack London before London became British and Commonwealth Champion.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateAgeLocationNotes
166Win103–47–15 Alf RobinsonPTS8May 12, 1938Vetch Field, Swansea, Wales, UK
165Win102–47–15 Dick PowerPTS10Mar 8, 1938Mannesmann Hall, Swansea, Wales, UK
164Win101–47–15 Jeff WilsonPTS12Nov 3, 1937Westover Ice Rink, Bournemouth, Dorset, England, UK
163Draw100–47–15 Jim McKenziePTS10Oct 7, 1937Tiverton, Devon, England, UK
162Win100–47–14 Fred RowlandsPTS12Jul 29, 1937Athletic Ground, Tiverton, Devon, England, UK
161Loss99–47–14 George BennettDQ3 Feb 8, 1937Central Hall, Derby, Derbyshire, England, UK
160Win99–46–14 Frank BorringtonKO5 Jan 25, 1937King's Hall, Derby, Derbyshire, England, UK
159Win98–46–14 Jim YoungTKO7 Dec 3, 1936Swadlincote, Derbyshire, England, UK
158Loss97–46–14 Al ConquestPTS10Dec 3, 1934King's Hall, Derby, Derbyshire, England, UK
157Win97–45–14 Teddy PhillipsPTS12Jun 11, 1934Greyhound Stadium, Derby, Derbyshire, England, UK
156Loss96–45–14 George BennettPTS12Mar 26, 1934Derby, Derbyshire, England, UK
155Win96–44–14 Tony ArpinoKO8 Mar 19, 1934Corn Exchange, Bedford, Bedfordshire, England, UK
154Draw95–44–14 Frank BorringtonPTS12Mar 5, 1934King's Hall, Derby, Derbyshire, England, UK
153Win95–44–13 Joe EdwardsPTS10Dec 26, 1933Working Men's Club, Llanelli, Wales, UK
152Win94–44–13 Reggie MeenPTS10Nov 27, 1933Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK
151Draw93–44–13 Frank BorringtonPTS12Nov 13, 1933King's Hall, Derby, Derbyshire, UK
150Draw93–44–12 Jack LondonPTS12Jul 31, 1933Engineers Club Grounds, West Hartlepool, County Durham, England, UK
149Win93–44–11 Jack LondonPTS12Jul 17, 1933Engineers Club Grounds, West Hartlepool, County Durham, England, UK
148Win92–44–11 Jeff WilsonTKO4 Jun 26, 1933Effingham Street Stadium, Rotherham, Yorkshire, England, UK
147Loss91–44–11 Harry CrossleyPTS12May 14, 1933Effingham Street Stadium, Rotherham, Yorkshire, England, UK
146Win91–43–11 Frank BorringtonKO13 Apr 15, 1933Working Men's Club, Llanelli, Wales, UK
145Win90–43–11 Jack LondonRTD7 Apr 10, 1933Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, UK
144Win89–43–11 Jack StrongbowTKO7 Feb 20, 1933Madeley Street Baths, Hull, Yorkshire, England, UK
143Loss88–43–11 Salvatore RuggirelloTKO11 Jan 26, 1933The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK
142Win88–42–11 Ted GaterTKO14 Jan 2, 1933Madeley Street Baths, Hull, Yorkshire, England, UK
141Loss87–42–11 Walter NeuselPTS10Nov 26, 1932Festhalle, Frankfurt, Germany
140Win87–41–11 Bernard CookPTS15Nov 5, 1932Mannesmann Hall, Swansea, Wales, UK
139Loss86–41–11 Del FontainePTS15Oct 15, 1932Working Men's Club, Llanelli, Wales, UK
138Win86–40–11 Rene MorrisPTS10Aug 13, 1932Drill Hall, Falmouth, Cornwall, England, UK
137Win85–40–11 Guardsman George GaterPTS12Apr 11, 1932Victoria Hall, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, UK
136Loss84–40–11 Harry CrossleyPTS15Feb 29, 1932Madeley Street Baths, Hull, Yorkshire, England, UK
135Loss84–39–11 Pierre CharlesPTS10Jan 30, 1932Théâtre des Variétés, Charleroi, Belgium
134Loss84–38–11 Don McCorkindalePTS12Oct 19, 1931Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK
133Win84–37–11 Lode WuestenraedtKO9 Sep 3, 1931T & T Rink, Bridlington, Yorkshire, England, UK
132Loss83–37–11 Walter NeuselPTS10Jul 31, 1931Sportplatz Allee Altona, Altona, Germany
131Loss83–36–11 Ernst PistullaPTS10Jun 5, 1931Dirt-Track Bahn, Germany
130Draw83–35–11 Jack StanleyPTS15Mar 30, 1931Colston Hall, Bristol, Avon, England, UK
129Win83–35–10 Jack HumbeeckPTS15Mar 16, 1931Madeley Street Baths, Hull, Yorkshire, England, UK
128Win82–35–10 Don ShortlandPTS15Feb 9, 1931Madeley Street Baths, Hull, Yorkshire, England, UK
127Loss81–35–10 Theo SasPTS15Feb 2, 1931Madeley Street Baths, Hull, Yorkshire, England, UK
126Win81–34–10 Bob CarvillTKO13 Jan 19, 1931Madeley Street Baths, Hull, Yorkshire, England, UK
125Loss80–34–10 Bob CarvillDQ3 Jan 5, 1931Madeley Street Baths, Hull, Yorkshire, England, UK
124Win80–33–10 Jack StanleyPTS15Oct 27, 1930Greenwich Baths, Greenwich, London, England, UK
123Win79–33–10 Joe MullingsKO6 Oct 19, 1930Palais de Danse, West Bromwich, West Midlands, England, UK
122Win78–33–10 Farrier BerwickKO7 Sep 29, 1930Rink Market, Smethwick, West Midlands, England, UK
121Loss77–33–10 Frank MoodyPTS15Aug 4, 1930Sloper Road Greyhound Track, Cardiff, Wales, UKLost BBBofC Welsh Area light heavyweight title
120Loss77–32–10 Reggie MeenPTS15Jul 21, 1930Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK
119Loss77–31–10 Harry CrossleyPTS15Apr 15, 1930Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK
118Win77–30–10 Farrier BerwickKO7 Apr 5, 1930Holmeside Stadium, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England, UK
117Win76–30–10 Reggie MeenRTD9 Mar 25, 1930Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK
116Win75–30–10 Billy AdairPTS15Feb 25, 1930Lime Grove Baths, Shepherd's Bush, London, England, UK
115Loss74–30–10 Louis GuillaumeDQ4 Jan 20, 1930The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
114Loss74–29–10 Helmut HartkoppPTS8Dec 7, 1929Zirkus Busch, Mitte, Germany
113Loss74–28–10 Michele BonagliaKO8 Oct 12, 1929Torino, Italy
112Loss74–27–10 Maurice GrisellePTS12Sep 24, 1929Cirque de Paris, Paris, France
111Loss74–26–10 Harry CrossleyPTS15Aug 26, 1929Doncaster Racecourse, Doncaster, Yorkshire, England, UK
110Loss74–25–10 Hein MüllerPTS10Apr 12, 1929Rheinlandhalle, Cologne, Germany
109Loss74–24–10 Franz DienerPTS10Mar 8, 1929Sportpalast, Schoeneberg, Germany
108Loss74–23–10 Jimmy MendesPTS15Jan 21, 1929The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
107Win74–22–10 Jack StanleyPTS15Aug 11, 1928Greyhound Stadium, Harringay, London, England, UK
106Win73–22–10 Hein DomgörgenKO2 Apr 22, 1928Achilleion, Leipzig, Germany
105Win72–22–10 Hans BreitensträterKO2 Mar 31, 1928Festhalle, Frankfurt, Germany
104Win71–22–10 Max SchmelingKO1 Feb 25, 1928Festhalle, Frankfurt, Germany
103Loss70–22–10 Len JohnsonPTS15Jan 23, 1928The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
102Loss70–21–10 Max SchmelingPTS10Dec 2, 1927Sportpalast, Schoeneberg, Germany
101Win70–20–10 Emile MorelleKO2 Nov 21, 1927The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
100Win69–20–10 Arthur VermautKO5 Nov 7, 1927The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
99Loss68–20–10 Frank FowlerPTS15Sep 8, 1927The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
98Win68–19–10 Tom BerryPTS20Apr 25, 1927Holland Park Rink, Kensington, London, England, UKRetained BBBofC Welsh Area light heavyweight title;
Won vacant Commonwealth light heavyweight title
97Win67–19–10 Frank MoodyPTS20Apr 11, 1927The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UKWon vacant BBBofC Welsh Area light heavyweight title
96Win66–19–10 Alfred BakerKO12 Mar 21, 1927The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
95Draw65–19–10 Pierre CharlesPTS15Feb 7, 1927The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
94Draw65–19–9 Pierre CharlesPTS15Dec 20, 1926Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, West Midlands, England, UK
93Win65–19–8 Fernand DeLargePTS10Dec 9, 1926Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, UK
92Win64–19–8 Fernand DeLargePTS15Nov 2, 1926National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK
91Win63–19–8 Constant BarrickPTS10Oct 5, 1926Cirque de Paris, Paris, France
90Win62–19–8 Paul Samson KörnerTKO6 Sep 19, 1926Radrennbahn Treptow, Germany
89Draw61–19–8 Jack StanleyPTS15Sep 6, 1926The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
88Win61–19–7 Marine Bill TrinderKO6 Aug 15, 1926The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
87Win60–19–7 Raoul PaillauxKO2 Jul 19, 1926The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
86Win59–19–7 Marcel NillesPTS10Jun 9, 1926Salle Wagram, Paris, France
85Win58–19–7 Francois CharlesPTS10Apr 1, 1926Velodrome d'Hiver, Paris, France
84Win57–19–7 Jim SlaterKO3 Mar 1, 1926Cossington Street Baths, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK
83Win56–19–7 Marine Bill TrinderPTS15Dec 19, 1925The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
82Win55–19–7 Charlie ChetwyndPTS10Dec 14, 1925Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, England, UK
81Win54–19–7 Leon RandolPTS20Nov 16, 1925The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
80Loss53–19–7 Harry PerssonPTS15Sep 24, 1925Cirkus, Stockholm, Sweden
79Loss53–18–7 Phil ScottPTS15Aug 29, 1925The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
78Draw53–17–7 Soldier JonesPTS15Jul 25, 1925The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
77Win53–17–6 Leon RandolPTS15Jul 16, 1925The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
76Win52–17–6 Harry ReeveKO3 Jul 11, 1925Stradey Park, Llanelli, England, UK
75Win51–17–6 Arthur TownleyPTS15May 28, 1925Liverpool Stadium, Pudsey Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK
74Win50–17–6 Sergeant Sid PapeRTD7 May 25, 1925Festival Concert Rooms, York, England, UK
73Win49–17–6 Jean LeroiPTS15May 9, 1925The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
72Win48–17–6 Frank FowlerPTS15Apr 27, 1925Festival Concert Rooms, York, England, UK
71Draw47–17–6 Dave MagillPTS15Apr 14, 1925St. George's Market, Belfast, North Ireland, UK
70Loss47–17–5 Jack StanleyPTS15Mar 21, 1925The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
69Win47–16–5 Dave MagillPTS15Feb 22, 1925Premierland, Whitechapel, London, England, UK
68Win46–16–5 Frank FowlerPTS15Jan 25, 1925National Sporting Club, Leeds, Yorkshire, England, UK
67Loss45–16–5 Frank FowlerPTS15Dec 26, 1924National Sporting Club, Leeds, Yorkshire, England, UK
66Win45–15–5 George HetheringtonPTS15Nov 22, 1924Holmeside Stadium, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England, UK
65Win44–15–5 Joe MullingsPTS15Nov 14, 1924Cosmopolitan Gymnasium, Plymouth, Devon, England, UK
64Win43–15–5 Phil ScottPTS15Oct 27, 1924Liverpool Stadium, Pudsey Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK
63Win42–15–5 Kid MoosePTS15Oct 9, 1924Liverpool Stadium, Pudsey Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK
62Win41–15–5 Corporal Billy NashTKO3 Aug 4, 1924United Services Club, Mumbles, Wales, UK
61Win40–15–5 Harry GoldTKO10 Jun 14, 1924Working Mans Club, Ynyshir, Wales, UK
60Win39–15–5 Stanley GlenPTS15May 31, 1924Holmeside Stadium, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England, UK
59Loss38–15–5 Tom BerryPTS15Mar 6, 1924Victoria Baths, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, UK
58Loss38–14–5 Phil ScottPTS15Dec 31, 1923Hoxton Baths, Hoxton, London, England, UK
57Loss38–13–5 Tom BerryPTS15Dec 17, 1923St. James Hall, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England, UK
56Win38–12–5 Guardsman Charlie PenwillKO4 Dec 10, 1923Ritz Hall, Cadoxton, Barry, Wales, UK
55Win37–12–5 Guardsman Charlie PenwillPTS10Oct 1, 1923Olympia, Kensington, London, England, UK
54Win36–12–5 Albert 'Kid' LloydPTS20Sep 3, 1923The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
53Win35–12–5 Fred DaviesPTS20Jul 21, 1923Stebonheath Park, Llanelli, Wales, UK
52Win34–12–5 Arthur TownleyTKO7 Jul 12, 1923Liverpool Stadium, Pudsey Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK
51Loss33–12–5 Frank MoodyPTS15Jul 3, 1923Lyceum Theatre, Newport, Wales, UK
50Win33–11–5 Billy CookRTD7 Apr 28, 1923The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
49Win32–11–5 Wolf LarsenPTS10Mar 6, 1923Pioneer Sporting Club, New York City, New York, US
48Win31–11–5 Fred ClarkeTKO4 Feb 21, 1923Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
47Loss30–11–5 Charley McKennaPTS12Jan 29, 1923Harlem-Fairmont AC, New York City, New York, US
46Win30–10–5 Charley McKennaPTS10Dec 19, 1922Pioneer Sporting Club, New York City, New York, US
45Win29–10–5 Wally StrippTKO4 Dec 5, 1922Pioneer Sporting Club, New York City, New York, US
44Win28–10–5 Stewart BellPTS4Nov 27, 1922Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
43Win27–10–5 Jack DouglasPTS8Nov 21, 1922Pioneer Sporting Club, New York City, New York, US
42Loss26–10–5 Dave MagillPTS20Sep 18, 1922Liverpool Stadium, Pudsey Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK
41Loss26–9–5 Jerry SheaPTS20Aug 28, 1922Somerton Park, Newport, Merseyside, England, UK
40Win26–8–5 Johnny BeePTS15Jul 13, 1922Liverpool Stadium, Pudsey Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK
39Win25–8–5 Harry DrakePTS15Jun 10, 1922The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
38Draw24–8–5 Pierre NicolasPTS15May 13, 1922The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
37Loss24–8–4 Douglas WarnerTKO14 Apr 8, 1922The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
36Win24–7–4 Trevor LlewellynPTS15Apr 1, 1922Stow Hill Drill Hall, Newport, Wales, UK
35Win23–7–4 Ernie MillsonPTS20Mar 23, 1922The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
34Win22–7–4 Albert RogersPTS10Mar 9, 1922The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
33Win21–7–4 Douglas WarnerPTS10Mar 2, 1922The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
32Win20–7–4 Tom NorrisKO3 Feb 18, 1922Drill Hall, Cardiff, London, England, UK
31Win19–7–4 Harry AshdownKO1 Feb 16, 1922The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
30Win18–7–4 Tom PlantPTS6Feb 9, 1922The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
29Win17–7–4 Len CollettTKO2 Jan 30, 1922National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK
28Loss16–7–4 Guardsman George WestTKO8 Dec 19, 1921The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
27Win16–6–4 Jack HartPTS15Dec 6, 1921National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK
26Loss15–6–4 Douglas WarnerPTS6Nov 17, 1921The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
25Win15–5–4 Guardsman George WestPTS15Nov 3, 1921The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
24Loss14–5–4 Fred NewberryPTS15Oct 14, 1921Cosmopolitan Gymnasium, Plymouth, Devon, England, UK
23Win14–4–4 Mose DaviesKO12 Sep 12, 1921Llwynypia Baths, Llwynypia, Wales, UK
22Win13–4–4 Charlie KempPTS15Sep 1, 1921Liverpool Stadium, Pudsey Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK
21Loss12–4–4 Ted MooreRTD9 Aug 19, 1921Cosmopolitan Gymnasium, Plymouth, Devon, England, UK
20Win12–3–4 Private Billy CattellTKO5 Jun 30, 1921Liverpool Stadium, Pudsey Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK
19Loss11–3–4 Gunner Eddie FeathersPTS15Apr 5, 1921Free Trade Hall, Manchester, Lancashire, England, UK
18Win11–2–4 Ivor PowellTKO5 Apr 2, 1921Drill Hall, Pontypool, Wales, UK
17Loss10–2–4 Rene De VosPTS20Feb 24, 1921The Ring, Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London, England, UK
16Win10–1–4 Joe DavisPTS10Nov 20, 1920Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, UK
15Win9–1–4 Harry FranksPTS15Nov 15, 1920Clapton Greyhound Track, Clapton, London, England, UK
14Win8–1–4 Bill JohnsonKO3 Oct 30, 1920Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent, England, UK
13Win7–1–4 Pat SmithPTS10Oct 23, 1920Grand Pier Pavilion, Herne Bay, Wales, UK
12Win6–1–4 Fred SmithPTS10Oct 16, 1920Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent, England, UK
11Loss5–1–4 Jack DaviesPTS10Oct 7, 1920Grand Pier Pavilion, Herne Bay, Kent, England, UK
10Draw5–0–4 Jim DaviesPTS15Sep 25, 1920Halfway Park, Llanelli, Wales, UK
9Draw5–0–3 Harry HigginsPTS15Aug 28, 1920Athletic Club, Blaenavon, Wales, UK
8Win5–0–2 Evan LlewellynPTS8Apr 17, 1920Town Hall, Maesteg, Wales, UK
7Win4–0–2 Bryn JenkinsPTS15Apr 3, 1920Princes Theatre, Ystrad Mynach, Wales, UK
6Win3–0–2 Jack TerrettRTD7 Feb 28, 1920Town Hall, Maesteg, Wales, UK
5Win2–0–2 Young W. AmesburyKO2 Jan 31, 1920Drill Hall, Pentre, Wales, UK
4Draw1–0–2 Jack HigginsPTS10Jan 24, 1920Town Hall, Maesteg, Wales, UK
3Win1–0–1 Dai JonesPTS10Aug 30, 1919Llanelli, Wales, UK
20–0–1 Jack JonesND4Aug 25, 1919Market Hall, Llanelli, Wales, UK
1Draw0–0–1Frank EvansPTS15Jul 12, 1919Llanelli, Wales, UK