Jonny Taylor found this in a loft in Dundee. It’s a programme for a boxing match between local lightweight fighters in 1935, which must surely have created a stir in Blantyre, much betting and competition!
Joe Gans vrs Jock Davie, both lightweight fighters were to battle it out in 10, 3 minute rounds on Friday 19th April 1935.
Joe was a local Burnbank boxer during the late 1920’s to late 1930’s. Mr. Jock Davie was a lightweight boxer in Blantyre during the 1930’s and I’m sure it would be Jock who would have been supported by Blantyre people in this match. Jock was born in 1917 and was a force to be reckoned with. In October 1934, whilst fighting Glasgow’s Bobbie Lees in a 10 round of 2 minutes each, Jock Davie through inflicting injury, forced Mr. Lees to permanently retire from Boxing. Jock attained the accolade of amateur bantamweight champion of Scotland and took a break for 3 years towards the end of the 1930s.
I’ve written up some history for many boxers in Blantyre from the last Century. Amongst them include Mr. Tommy Allan, Mr. Charlie Bailey, Mr. J. Bender, Mr. A. Davidson, Mr. Jack Dennison, Mr. Jim Derlin, Snowball Frame, Mr. Joe Gans, Mr Arthur Grant, Jack and Mr. Patrick Heeney, Mr. Freddy Hughes, Mr. Young Keenan, Mr. J Kelly, Mr. Dido Lennon, Mr. Tom Lippiat, Mr. Benny Lynch, Mr. Miller, Mr. T. McConnell, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Walter McGowan, Mr. P. McKenna, Mr. Paddy Parks, Mr. Tommy Reilly, Mr. Pat Shevey, Mr. John Slack, Mr. John Smith, Mr. R. Smyth, Mr. D Spiers, and Mr. J. Tennyson.
On social media:
Jock Davie was my daddy. I have this same copy of the flyer. It was given to jock by his boxing pal, Tommy Johnson. Until their deaths Tommy, jock and Arthur grant kept in touch. Jo gans was Walter McGowans dad. I have a photograph on my wall of jock with his trainer, paddy slaven .
paddy slaven was my granda i remember when my granda died youre dad and arthur grant came to my granmas to pay rheir respects also charlie cairney who played with celtic
I think jock davie is my grandad. I don’t suppose you have come across him before have you? Will have to ask my mum about it .
Susan – here are the brief notes i have about Jock. Davie, Mr. Jock – A lightweight boxer in Blantyre during the 1930’s. Born in 1917. In October 1934, whilst fighting Glasgow’s Bobbie Lees in a 10 round of 2 minutes each, Davie through inflicting injury, forced Mr. Lees to permanently retire. He fought under the management of Pat Slavin. On Friday 19th April 1935, he fought against Joe Gans of Burnbank. Jock attained the accolade of amateur bantamweight champion of Scotland and took a break for 3 years towards the end of the 1930’s resuming his interest in 1939.