Archie Sexton
Encyclopedia
Archibald Ernest 'Archie' Sexton GM
(3 April 1908 – July 1957) was an English
professional boxer
who began his career at featherweight in 1925 and finished as a middleweight in 1936. He had at least 222 professional contests, including one for the British
middleweight title in 1933, where he lost by a tenth round technical knockout
to Jock McAvoy
.
Sexton was born 3 April 1908 at Bethnal Green
, London the son of James Sexton and Bott Finisher and his wife Annie.
Sexton took part in the world's first televised
boxing match, a six-round exhibition against Laurie Raiteri in London
on 22 August 1933. The loss of the sight of his left eye - which occurred during a boxing match - forced him to retire from boxing in 1936, although he later worked as a BBB of C referee.
During the Second World War he served as a Police War Reserve constable and in 1944 he was awarded the George Medal
for his part in rescuing two men and a woman trapped in an air-raid shelter underneath Moorfields Eye Hospital in London.
He died in New Zealand in July 1957 as the result of a stroke, aged 49.
His son Dave
had success in football
, managing Chelsea
and Manchester United
. Archie's brother James, another professional boxer, fought under the alias 'Jim Blake'.
George Medal
The George Medal is the second level civil decoration of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.The GM was instituted on 24 September 1940 by King George VI. At this time, during the height of The Blitz, there was a strong desire to reward the many acts of civilian courage...
(3 April 1908 – July 1957) was an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
who began his career at featherweight in 1925 and finished as a middleweight in 1936. He had at least 222 professional contests, including one for the British
British Boxing Board of Control
The British Boxing Board of Control is the governing body of professional boxing in the United Kingdom. It was formed in 1929 from the old National Sporting Club and is headquartered in Cardiff.- Councils :...
middleweight title in 1933, where he lost by a tenth round technical knockout
Knockout
A knockout is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, Karate and others sports involving striking...
to Jock McAvoy
Jock McAvoy
Jock McAvoy was a British boxer who fought from 1927 to 1945. He was born Joseph Patrick Bamford in Rochdale, Lancashire. Jo Bamford adopted the name Jock McAvoy so that his mother did not realise he was boxing...
.
Sexton was born 3 April 1908 at Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green
Bethnal Green is a district of the East End of London, England and part of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, with the far northern parts falling within the London Borough of Hackney. Located northeast of Charing Cross, it was historically an agrarian hamlet in the ancient parish of Stepney,...
, London the son of James Sexton and Bott Finisher and his wife Annie.
Sexton took part in the world's first televised
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
boxing match, a six-round exhibition against Laurie Raiteri in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
on 22 August 1933. The loss of the sight of his left eye - which occurred during a boxing match - forced him to retire from boxing in 1936, although he later worked as a BBB of C referee.
During the Second World War he served as a Police War Reserve constable and in 1944 he was awarded the George Medal
George Medal
The George Medal is the second level civil decoration of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.The GM was instituted on 24 September 1940 by King George VI. At this time, during the height of The Blitz, there was a strong desire to reward the many acts of civilian courage...
for his part in rescuing two men and a woman trapped in an air-raid shelter underneath Moorfields Eye Hospital in London.
He died in New Zealand in July 1957 as the result of a stroke, aged 49.
His son Dave
Dave Sexton
David "Dave" Sexton OBE is an English former football manager and player.-Playing career:Son of former professional boxer Archie Sexton, he started his playing career with West Ham United in 1948. Playing mainly at inside-forward, he would finish his career with time at Luton Town, Leyton Orient,...
had success in football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
, managing Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
and Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
. Archie's brother James, another professional boxer, fought under the alias 'Jim Blake'.