Tom Norris
Encyclopedia
Tom Norris was a Welsh
professional heavyweight boxer
. Born in Clydach Vale
in the Rhondda
, Norris became the Welsh heavyweight champion in 1925.
. There are no recorded fights for Norris until February 1922 when he faced fellow Welshman Gipsy Daniels
at the Drill Hall in Cardiff
. Daniels, a future British heavyweight champion, stopped Norris with a knockout
in the third round. Norris fought at least twice more in 1922 and both recorded bouts ended in loses. His first was by points decision against Seaman Powell at Pill Athletic Ground in Newport
, then a failed challenge for the Welsh heavyweight title versus Trevor Llewellyn
. Although the contest against Llewellyn was scheduled for twenty - three minute rounds, Norris again only lasted to the third round, this time losing by technical knockout. On the 3 May, he was back at the Drill Hall, this time facing and beating Billy Prestage, knocking him out with a right hook. Norris met Llewellyn again on 30 August 1924, though this time not for the title. On this occasion Norris won, when he was given the decision after the match went the full distance. He followed this up with a win three weeks later in Liverpool, knocking out local fighter Ike Ingleton. In November 1924 he met Seaman Powell again, at the Pavilion Theatre in Newport, this time the decision ended a draw.
On Boxing Day
1925 Norris was given a second challenge at the Welsh heavyweight title, this time to Crumlin's Dick Power
. Fought at the Palace Theatre in Power's home-town, the fifteen round contest ended in the eleventh when Norris stopped his opponent via technical knockout, giving Norris the title. Although now the Welsh champion, his reign was short-lived after Power was given a rematch on 5 April the next year. The fight was held at Taff Vale Park in Pontypridd
, and a record crowd turned out to see the two fighters challenge for the title and a purse of £150. The twenty round match went the distance and the referee gave the decision, and with it the Welsh heavyweight title, to Power.
Although there is little recorded evidence of Norris' professional career in the years directly after he lost his Welsh title, in 1928 he travelled to the United States
to take on local fighters, mainly in the state of Ohio. In February 2009, the Massillon Evening Independent recorded that Norris had begun his campaign in the States three months earlier, recording eight straight knockout wins, all under three rounds. Other recorded bouts in America included four fights in Akron, Ohio
, in which Norris beat Pat Irish, but lost to Jack Roberts, Ray Young and Tiny Powell.
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
professional heavyweight 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...
. Born in Clydach Vale
Clydach Vale
Clydach Vale is a village adjoining Tonypandy in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, within the Rhondda Valley, Wales. It is named for its situation on the Nant Clydach, a tributary of the River Taff.-Integration of villages:...
in the Rhondda
Rhondda
Rhondda , or the Rhondda Valley , is a former coal mining valley in Wales, formerly a local government district, consisting of 16 communities built around the River Rhondda. The valley is made up of two valleys, the larger Rhondda Fawr valley and the smaller Rhondda Fach valley...
, Norris became the Welsh heavyweight champion in 1925.
Boxing career
Norris' first recorded professional bout was against Wally Buckley at Liverpool Stadium on 2 September 1920. Norris lost the contest in the third round through a disqualificationDisqualification (boxing)
A disqualification is a term used when a bout is stopped short of knockout or judges' decision because, intentionally, one or both contestants have repeatedly or flagrantly fouled an opponent or violated other rules. The disqualified boxer automatically loses the bout to the opponent...
. There are no recorded fights for Norris until February 1922 when he faced fellow Welshman Gipsy Daniels
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, and notably knocked out Max Schmeling in the first round of a 1928 encounter.There is some confusion as to Daniels' actual...
at the Drill Hall in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
. Daniels, a future British heavyweight champion, stopped Norris with a 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...
in the third round. Norris fought at least twice more in 1922 and both recorded bouts ended in loses. His first was by points decision against Seaman Powell at Pill Athletic Ground 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...
, then a failed challenge for the Welsh heavyweight title versus Trevor Llewellyn
Trevor Llewellyn
Trevor Llewellyn was a Welsh professional heavyweight boxer. Born in Newport in Monmouthshire, Llewellyn became the Welsh heavyweight champion in 1922. A police officer by profession, he often fought under the name PC Trevor Llewellyn.-Personal history:...
. Although the contest against Llewellyn was scheduled for twenty - three minute rounds, Norris again only lasted to the third round, this time losing by technical knockout. On the 3 May, he was back at the Drill Hall, this time facing and beating Billy Prestage, knocking him out with a right hook. Norris met Llewellyn again on 30 August 1924, though this time not for the title. On this occasion Norris won, when he was given the decision after the match went the full distance. He followed this up with a win three weeks later in Liverpool, knocking out local fighter Ike Ingleton. In November 1924 he met Seaman Powell again, at the Pavilion Theatre in Newport, this time the decision ended a draw.
On Boxing Day
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a bank or public holiday that occurs on 26 December, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws. It is observed in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth nations. In Ireland, it is recognized as...
1925 Norris was given a second challenge at the Welsh heavyweight title, this time to Crumlin's Dick Power
Dick Power
Dick Power was a Welsh professional heavyweight boxer. Born in Crumlin in Monmouthshire, Power became the Welsh heavyweight champion in 1926.-Boxing career:...
. Fought at the Palace Theatre in Power's home-town, the fifteen round contest ended in the eleventh when Norris stopped his opponent via technical knockout, giving Norris the title. Although now the Welsh champion, his reign was short-lived after Power was given a rematch on 5 April the next year. The fight was held at Taff Vale Park in Pontypridd
Pontypridd
Pontypridd is both a community and a principal town of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales and is situated 12 miles/19 km north of the Welsh capital city of Cardiff...
, and a record crowd turned out to see the two fighters challenge for the title and a purse of £150. The twenty round match went the distance and the referee gave the decision, and with it the Welsh heavyweight title, to Power.
Although there is little recorded evidence of Norris' professional career in the years directly after he lost his Welsh title, in 1928 he travelled to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to take on local fighters, mainly in the state of Ohio. In February 2009, the Massillon Evening Independent recorded that Norris had begun his campaign in the States three months earlier, recording eight straight knockout wins, all under three rounds. Other recorded bouts in America included four fights in Akron, Ohio
Akron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
, in which Norris beat Pat Irish, but lost to Jack Roberts, Ray Young and Tiny Powell.