Nel Tarleton
Encyclopedia
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. He was one of only seven fighters to win two or more Lonsdale Belt
s outright.
He was married to Barbara who gave birth to twins, a boy called Brian and a girl called Sandra and a daughter, Lesley June.
.
He built up an impressive domestic record, with only the occasional defeat, fighting most of his bouts in his hometown of Liverpool. Then, in October 1929, he went to the United States and had a number of fights in various venues in New York
, scoring five wins two defeats and one draw.
, and this time Tarleton won on points.
In November 1932, he defended his British title against Seaman Tommy Watson, in Liverpool Stadium, and lost on points.
In September 1934, Tarleton fought for the world featherweight title against American fighter, Freddie Miller
. The fight was held in Liverpool, and Miller won on points to retain his title.
In December 1934, Tarleton defended his title against Dave Crowley at the Empire Pool, Wembley
, winning on points, and also winning the Lonsdale Belt
outright.
In June 1935, Tarleton fought Freddie Miller
again for his world featherweight title. The fight, as before, was held in Liverpool, and Miller won on points again, to retain his title.
In May 1936, he defended his British title against Johnny King of Manchester, defeating him on points.
In September 1936, he defended his title again, against Johnny McGrory. The fight was held at Anfield, and Mcgrory won on points to take Tarleton’s title.
In November 1940, he defended his British and Commonwealth titles at Liverpool Stadium, against Tom Smith of Sunderland, winning on points.
Tarleton continued fighting, until February 1945, when he defended his British and Commonwealth featherweight titles against Al Phillips, at Belle Vue
, Manchester
. At the age of 39, he won on points against his 25-year-old opponent, and retained his titles.
Tarleton did not defend his titles again but relinquished them in February 1947, at the age of 41.
After retiring, Tarleton struggled with ill health and died at the age of 49.
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...
featherweight
Featherweight
Featherweight is a weight class division in the sport of boxing. There are similarly named divisions under several Mixed Martial Arts organizations and in Greco-Roman wrestling.-Professional boxing:...
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...
from Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, England
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...
. He was British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
featherweight champion on three separate occasions and, despite only having one lung, continued fighting until he was 42. He was one of only seven fighters to win two or more Lonsdale Belt
Lonsdale belt
The Lonsdale Belt was a boxing prize introduced by Hugh Lowther, 5th Earl of Lonsdale, to be awarded to British boxing champions. It is still awarded to British champions today.-National Sporting Club:...
s outright.
He was married to Barbara who gave birth to twins, a boy called Brian and a girl called Sandra and a daughter, Lesley June.
Boxing style
Tarleton lacked a punch, but was immensely skilful, winning most of his important fights on points. He was tall and very thin. He had only one lung from the age of two, but was still able to box successfully until he was 42.Professional career
He had his first professional fight on 14 January 1926 (his twentieth birthday), when he beat George Sankey on points over ten rounds at Liverpool StadiumLiverpool Stadium
Liverpool Stadium was a stadium in Liverpool, England. It hosted many different events including boxing, wrestling, concerts, and political hustings.-External links:**-Bibliography:*Curley, Mallory...
.
He built up an impressive domestic record, with only the occasional defeat, fighting most of his bouts in his hometown of Liverpool. Then, in October 1929, he went to the United States and had a number of fights in various venues in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, scoring five wins two defeats and one draw.
British featherweight title
His next fight, in November 1930, was a title challenge against the British featherweight champion, Johnny Cuthbert. The pair fought a fifteen-round draw in Liverpool Stadium. In October 1931, the pair had a rematch at Anfield Football GroundAnfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
, and this time Tarleton won on points.
In November 1932, he defended his British title against Seaman Tommy Watson, in Liverpool Stadium, and lost on points.
Title regained
In July 1934, Tarleton had a re-match with Watson, at Anfield, and regained his title with another points win.In September 1934, Tarleton fought for the world featherweight title against American fighter, 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....
. The fight was held in Liverpool, and Miller won on points to retain his title.
In December 1934, Tarleton defended his title against Dave Crowley at the Empire Pool, Wembley
Wembley
Wembley is an area of northwest London, England, and part of the London Borough of Brent. It is home to the famous Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena...
, winning on points, and also winning the Lonsdale Belt
Lonsdale belt
The Lonsdale Belt was a boxing prize introduced by Hugh Lowther, 5th Earl of Lonsdale, to be awarded to British boxing champions. It is still awarded to British champions today.-National Sporting Club:...
outright.
In June 1935, Tarleton fought 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....
again for his world featherweight title. The fight, as before, was held in Liverpool, and Miller won on points again, to retain his title.
In May 1936, he defended his British title against Johnny King of Manchester, defeating him on points.
In September 1936, he defended his title again, against Johnny McGrory. The fight was held at Anfield, and Mcgrory won on points to take Tarleton’s title.
Third title
In February 1940, Tarleton fought for the British featherweight title again. The fight was against holder Johnny Cusick and was also for the Commonwealth title. Tarleton won on points at Liverpool Stadium to take the British title for the third time.In November 1940, he defended his British and Commonwealth titles at Liverpool Stadium, against Tom Smith of Sunderland, winning on points.
Tarleton continued fighting, until February 1945, when he defended his British and Commonwealth featherweight titles against Al Phillips, at Belle Vue
Belle Vue, Manchester
Belle Vue is an area of Gorton, in the city of Manchester, England. It lies in the eastern part of the city, close to its boundary with Tameside, and is bordered by the Hope Valley Line on the east and the Glossop Line on the west...
, Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
. At the age of 39, he won on points against his 25-year-old opponent, and retained his titles.
Tarleton did not defend his titles again but relinquished them in February 1947, at the age of 41.
After retiring, Tarleton struggled with ill health and died at the age of 49.