Syd Worgan
Encyclopedia
Syd Worgan was a professional boxer
from Wales
. Born in Llanharan
Worgan was notable for becoming the Welsh featherweight champion in 1944.
On his way to his 1944 challenge for the Welsh featherweight title, Worgan met several of Britain's best fighters. He lost to two lightweight ex-champions, Len Beynon in 1939 and Cuthbert Taylor
in 1940, but he also took wins over George Pook, a future South-West featherweight champion and Warren Kendall who would become Welsh lightweight champion in 1948. Worgan made headlines in 1941 when he faced the World number two Ritchie "Kid" Tanner of British Guyana, beating him on points. In 1942 Worgan, now under the management of ex-fighter Billy "Kid" Hughes, faced his most notable adversary Nel Tarleton
. Tarleton was the Commonwealth champion who in 1934 lost on points to Freddie Miller
for the NBA title in 1934. The match was held at the Royal Albert Hall
on 30 March and was scheduled for eight rounds. The match went the distance with Worgan losing on a points decision
. Despite being beaten Worgan later commented that 'Nel was one of the greatest in the game.' Worgan faced Tarleton on another two occasions, losing both on points decisions, in Liverpool in 1942 and Nottingham in 1943.
On 11 November 1944, Worgan fought Tommy Davies from Nantyglo
for the vacant Welsh featherweight title. The fifteen-round match was contested in Newport
, south Wales with Worgan taking the bout on points. Worgan continued fighting until 1949 with irregular results. Boxing News wrote of him, "Worgan is worth while watching; he has the uncanny sense of timing. His punches and all his movements are harmonious without being theatrical".
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...
from Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. Born in Llanharan
Llanharan
Llanharan is a small village in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. Llanharan thrived during the British industrial revolution, with several tin and coal mines in the location providing employment to the town's residents...
Worgan was notable for becoming the Welsh featherweight champion in 1944.
Personal history
Worgan was born in Llanharan in 1917 and was one of six brothers. A coal miner by occupation, he worked at the local pit, Llanharan Colliery. In 1959 he and his wife Dilys became owners of the Bear Inn in Llantrisant and kept the establishment until his retirement in 1985.Boxing career
Although Worgan had no history of boxing in his family, he became interested in the sport when he was given a pair of boxing gloves by his only sister, Elizabeth. He turned professional at the age of 18 and in his career is reported to have fought in approximately 150 bouts, though as of 2010, BoxRec has only 51 recorded contests. He began training in the small Turberville room on Chapel Road just off Llanharan Square, before moving to the High Corner yard. His trainers at this time were Billy Watkins and Bert Harris.On his way to his 1944 challenge for the Welsh featherweight title, Worgan met several of Britain's best fighters. He lost to two lightweight ex-champions, Len Beynon in 1939 and Cuthbert Taylor
Cuthbert Taylor
Cuthbert Taylor born John Street was a Welsh boxer who competed for Great Britain in the 1928 Summer Olympics. He was Welsh Bantamweight Champion.-Boxing career:...
in 1940, but he also took wins over George Pook, a future South-West featherweight champion and Warren Kendall who would become Welsh lightweight champion in 1948. Worgan made headlines in 1941 when he faced the World number two Ritchie "Kid" Tanner of British Guyana, beating him on points. In 1942 Worgan, now under the management of ex-fighter Billy "Kid" Hughes, faced his most notable adversary Nel Tarleton
Nel Tarleton
Nel Tarleton was an English featherweight boxer from Liverpool, England. He was British featherweight champion on three separate occasions and, despite only having one lung, continued fighting until he was 42...
. Tarleton was the Commonwealth champion who in 1934 lost on points to Freddie Miller
Freddie Miller (boxer)
Freddie Miller was an American boxer from Cincinnati, Ohio. Freddie Miller was one of the very best featherweight boxers of the 1930s, and was named to Ring Magazine's list of the 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years....
for the NBA title in 1934. The match was held at the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
on 30 March and was scheduled for eight rounds. The match went the distance with Worgan losing on a points decision
Points decision
A points decision is a winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts and others sports involving striking unlike normal decisions where there is three judges that agree on which fighter won the match the fight is scored by the...
. Despite being beaten Worgan later commented that 'Nel was one of the greatest in the game.' Worgan faced Tarleton on another two occasions, losing both on points decisions, in Liverpool in 1942 and Nottingham in 1943.
On 11 November 1944, Worgan fought Tommy Davies from Nantyglo
Nantyglo
Nantyglo is a village in the ancient parish of Aberystruth and county of Monmouth situated deep within the South Wales Valleys between Blaina and Brynmawr in the county borough of Blaenau Gwent.- Places of interest in Nantyglo :...
for the vacant Welsh featherweight title. The fifteen-round match was contested in Newport
Newport
Newport is a city and unitary authority area in Wales. Standing on the banks of the River Usk, it is located about east of Cardiff and is the largest urban area within the historic county boundaries of Monmouthshire and the preserved county of Gwent...
, south Wales with Worgan taking the bout on points. Worgan continued fighting until 1949 with irregular results. Boxing News wrote of him, "Worgan is worth while watching; he has the uncanny sense of timing. His punches and all his movements are harmonious without being theatrical".