Pedlar Palmer

Pedlar Palmer, born Thomas Palmer, (1876 – 13 February 1949) was an English boxer who held the world bantamweight championship from 1895 to 1899.

For the Australian-born British naval commander with the nickname Pedlar Palmer, see Alfred Brian Palmer.

Pedlar Palmer
Statistics
Real nameThomas Palmer
Nickname(s)Box O'Tricks
Weight(s)Bantamweight
Height5 ft 3 in (1.60 m)
Reach64 in (163 cm)
NationalityEnglish
Born(1876-11-19)19 November 1876
Canning Town, London
Died13 February 1949(1949-02-13) (aged 72)
Brighton
Boxing record
Total fights70
Wins51
Wins by KO13
Losses15
Draws4

Life

Palmer was born in Canning Town, London on 19 November 1876. His father was a bare-knuckle champion of Essex, and rumour had it that his mother could take on and beat any woman in London's East End. As a boxer, Palmer soon gained the nickname "Box o' Tricks", reflecting his showmanship - he and his brother had taken part in a stage act as children and Palmer utilised some of the things he had learned on stage in the boxing ring.[1]

In 1893, Palmer won bouts advertised as the "World 100lb" title against Walter Croot and Mike Small, and became World Bantamweight Champion in 1895 when he beat Billy Plimmer of Birmingham on a 14th round foul. He boxed a draw with the World Featherweight Champion George Dixon in New York in 1896. He kept his bantamweight title through five defences against Johnny Murphy, Ernie Stanton. Dave Sullivan, Billy Plimmer, and Billy Rochford.[2]

Palmer met Irish-born American boxer Dave Sullivan in London on 18 October 1897 in what was billed as a World 116 pound Title Match. It would be Sullivan's first loss according to most sources.[3] Sullivan failed to receive the twenty round points decision, but established himself as the primary contender for the World Featherweight Title.[2]

Loss of World Bantamweight Title to Terry McGovern

Palmer lost his title in Tuckahoe, New York in September 1899. He was knocked out in the first round by Terrible Terry McGovern - Palmer claimed that he had been blinded by the lights. Having held the Championship for four years, Palmer was still only 22 years old.[2]

Loss of the British Bantamweight Title

In November 1900 Palmer lost the British bantamweight title to Harry Ware, and although he won two out of three fights with George Dixon and beat Digger Stanley, another world champion, he was twice beaten in British featherweight title fights by Ben Jordan and Joe Bowker.[2]

Jordan successfully defended the English Featherweight Title on 12 December 1904 against Palmer in an important bout at the National Sporting Club in London in a fifteen-round points decision.[2]

Palmer was a heavy drinker. In April 1907 he killed Robert Croat on a train to Epsom races, for which crime he was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to five years in prison.[4] On his release he boxed again, but never enjoyed his earlier levels of success. For the last 20 years of his life he was a bookmaker in Brighton, where he died on 13 February 1949, aged 72.[5][6] He is buried on the western edge of Brighton; the gravestone no longer stands.

Professional boxing record
70 fights 51 wins 15 losses
By knockout 13 9
By decision 33 5
By disqualification 5 1
Draws 4
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
70 Loss 51–15–4 Jim Driscoll TKO 4 (10) Mar 10, 1919 Hoxton Music Hall, Hoxton, London, England, U.K.
69 Loss 51–14–4 Digger Stanley RTD 4 (10) Nov 19, 1914 West London Stadium, London, England, U.K.
68 Loss 51–13–4 Jim Lloyd RTD 4 (10) Aug 1, 1912 Liverpool Stadium, Pudsey Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K.
67 Win 51–12–4 Sam Russell DQ 3 (10) Jul 25, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel, London, England, U.K.
66 Win 50–12–4 George Moore RTD 7 (10) Mar 25, 1912 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, U.K.
65 Win 49–12–4 George Moore DQ 5 (10) Mar 2, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel, London, England, U.K.
64 Win 48–12–4 Alec Lambert PTS 6 Jan 24, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel, London, England, U.K.
63 Win 47–12–4 Darkey Haley PTS 6 Jan 6, 1912 Premierland, Whitechapel, London, England, U.K.
62 Loss 46–12–4 Darkey Haley KO 10 (15) Dec 7, 1906 Pitfield Street Baths, Hoxton, London, England, U.K.
61 Win 46–11–4 Cockney Cohen DQ 4 (20) May 28, 1906 Drill Hall, Plymouth, Devon, England, U.K.
60 Win 45–11–4 Driver William Himphen PTS 6 Apr 28, 1906 Wonderland, Mile End, London, England, U.K.
59 Draw 44–11–4 Cockney Cohen PTS 15 Mar 26, 1906 Wonderland, Mile End, London, England, U.K.
58 Loss 44–11–3 Charlie Lampey PTS 15 Feb 28, 1906 Sporting and Dramatic Club, Charing Cross, London, England, U.K.
57 Loss 44–10–3 Cockney Cohen KO 6 (20) Nov 13, 1905 Wonderland, Mile End, London, England, U.K. Cohen claims English 122 lbs title
56 Win 44–9–3 Cockney Cohen PTS 15 Sep 25, 1905 Wonderland, Mile End, London, England, U.K.
55 Win 43–9–3 Bob White KO 6 (15) Aug 5, 1905 The Circus, West Hartlepool, County Durham, England, U.K.
54 Win 42–9–3 George Moore PTS 6 Jun 17, 1905 Wonderland, Mile End, London, England, U.K.
53 Draw 41–9–3 George Moore PTS 15 May 29, 1905 Wonderland, Mile End, London, England, U.K. For vacant NSC British and English featherweight titles
52 Loss 41–9–2 Joe Bowker TKO 12 (15) Mar 20, 1905 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, U.K. For vacant NSC British and English featherweight titles
51 Loss 41–8–2 Ben Jordan PTS 15 Dec 12, 1904 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, U.K. For NSC British and English featherweight titles
50 Win 41–7–2 Young Joseph PTS 15 Oct 17, 1904 Wonderland, Mile End, London, England, U.K.
49 Win 40–7–2 WJ (Watty) Austin PTS 20 Aug 8, 1904 Camps Bay Pavilion, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
48 Draw 39–7–2 WJ (Watty) Austin PTS 20 Jul 4, 1904 Camps Bay Pavilion, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
47 Win 39–7–1 Dan Hyman RTD 9 (20) May 23, 1904 Wanderers Hall, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
46 Loss 38–7–1 Harry Alexander DQ 4 (15) Mar 25, 1904 Britannia Theatre, Hoxton, London, England, U.K.
45 Win 38–6–1 Harry Alexander KO 4 (15) Mar 14, 1904 Boulevard Football Ground, Hull, Yorkshire, England, U.K.
44 Loss 37–6–1 George Dixon PTS 20 Nov 9, 1904 Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England, U.K. Billed world 120lbs title
43 Win 37–5–1 Jim Williams PTS 20 Oct 23, 1903 New National Athletic Club, Marylebone, London, England, U.K.
42 Win 36–5–1 Spike Robson PTS 20 Sep 14, 1903 Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, London, England, U.K. Billed English 124 lbs title;
Not generally recognised as over 2-minute rounds
41 Win 35–5–1 George Dixon PTS 8 Jun 27, 1903 Wonderland, Mile End, London, England, U.K.
40 Win 34–5–1 Digger Stanley PTS 12 May 11, 1903 Wonderland, Mile End, London, England, U.K.
39 Win 33–5–1 Fred Delaney PTS 6 Apr 2, 1903 Barking Public Hall, Barking Road, Canning Town, London, England, U.K.
38 Win 32–5–1 Harry Ware PTS 12 Feb 16, 1903 Wonderland, Mile End, London, England, U.K. Billed English 8st 8lbs title
37 Loss 31–5–1 Will Curley KO 8 (15) Dec 15, 1902 Ginnetts Circus, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England, U.K.
36 Win 31–4–1 Jim Williams PTS 20 Oct 23, 1902 The National AC, Marylebone, London, England, U.K.
35 Win 30–4–1 George Dixon PTS 15 Sep 8, 1902 New National Athletic Club, Marylebone, London, England, U.K.
34 Win 29–4–1 Digger Stanley PTS 10 Jun 16, 1902 Wonderland, Mile End, London, England, U.K.
33 Loss 28–4–1 Jim Williams KO 2 (15) Jan 27, 1902 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, U.K. For vacant NSC bantamweight title claim
32 Loss 28–3–1 Harry Harris PTS 15 Mar 18, 1901 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, U.K. For vacant world bantamweight title
31 Loss 28–2–1 Harry Ware PTS 20 Nov 12, 1900 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, U.K. Lost NSC bantamweight title
30 Win 28–1–1 Harry Ware PTS 15 May 28, 1900 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, U.K. Retained NSC bantamweight title
29 Loss 27–1–1 Terry McGovern KO 1 (20) Sep 12, 1899 Westchester A.C., Tuckahoe, New York, U.S. Lost world bantamweight title claim;
For vacant world bantamweight title
28 Win 27–0–1 Billy Rotchford DQ 3 (20) Apr 17, 1899 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, U.K. Retained world bantamweight title claim
27 Win 26–0–1 Billy Plimmer TKO 17 (20) Dec 12, 1898 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, U.K. Retained world bantamweight title claim;
Won vacant NSC bantamweight title
26 Win 25–0–1 Dave Sullivan PTS 20 Oct 18, 1897 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, U.K. Retained world bantamweight title claim
25 Win 24–0–1 Ernie Stanton TKO 14 (20) Jan 25, 1897 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, U.K. Retained world bantamweight title claim
24 Win 23–0–1 Johnny Murphy PTS 20 Oct 12, 1896 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, U.K. Made a world bantamweight title claim
23 Win 22–0–1 Ted Willis RTD 4 (10) Apr 13, 1896 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, U.K.
22 Win 21–0–1 Ted Willis KO 2 (6) Mar 31, 1896 Ned Donnelly's Rooms (over a saddlers shop), London, England, U.K.
21 Draw 20–0–1 George Dixon PTS 6 Jan 30, 1896 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
20 Win 20–0 Billy Plimmer DQ 14 (20) Nov 25, 1895 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, U.K. Won NSC British flyweight and world 112lbs titles
19 Win 19–0 Ginger Walters KO 7 (8) Oct 27, 1894 Bermondsey School of Arms, Bermondsey, London, England, U.K.
18 Win 18–0 Ernie Stanton PTS 20 Oct 15, 1894 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, U.K. Retained NSC British light flyweight title;
Billed English 108lbs title
17 Win 17–0 Bill Mortimer TKO 5 (20) Jun 25, 1894 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, U.K. Won vacant NSC British light flyweight title;
Won English 106lbs title claim
16 Win 16–0 Young Edwards TKO 2 (3) Apr 16, 1894 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, U.K.
15 Win 15–0 Ted Wood PTS 6 Feb 19, 1894 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, U.K.
14 Win 14–0 Albert Gould PTS 6 Dec 11, 1892 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, U.K.
13 Win 13–0 Albert Gould TKO 2 (6) Dec 4, 1892 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, U.K.
12 Win 12–0 Mike Small PTS 6 May 29, 1892 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, U.K.
11 Win 11–0 Walter Croot KO 17 (20) May 1, 1892 National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, U.K. Won NSC British minimumweight title
10 Win 10–0 George Wood PTS ? Sep 1, 1892 United Kingdom Date Unknown
9 Win 9–0 Dick Edwards PTS ? Aug 1, 1892 United Kingdom Date Unknown
8 Win 8–0 Ted Sounders PTS ? Jul 1, 1892 United Kingdom Date Unknown
7 Win 7–0 Will Morse PTS ? Jun 1, 1892 United Kingdom Date Unknown
6 Win 6–0 Ginger Wright PTS ? May 1, 1892 United Kingdom Date Unknown
5 Win 5–0 Tom Shane PTS ? Apr 1, 1892 United Kingdom Date Unknown
4 Win 4–0 Ernie Stanton PTS 3 Mar 1, 1892 Plaistow, London, England, U.K. Exact date unknown
3 Win 3–0 Arthur Wigg PTS ? Feb 1, 1892 United Kingdom Date Unknown
2 Win 2–0 San Swamburg PTS ? Jan 1, 1892 United Kingdom Date Unknown
1 Win 1–0 WC Bond PTS 11 Jan 1, 1891 United Kingdom Date Unknown

References
  1. McKay, Jason, (2009), Box O’ Tricks – The Pedlar Palmer Story
  2. "Pedlar Palmer". BoxRec. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  3. "Birthday of Dave Sullivan", The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, pg. 13, 10 May 1919
  4. "The Assizes. South-Eastern Circuit., The Trial of "Pedlar" Palmer". The Times. 20 July 1907. p. 9.
  5. "Death of Two Boxers". The Times. 14 February 1949. p. 2.
  6. Boxing News Annual 1950, War Facts Press, p. 9

Further reading

Jason McKay, 2009, Box O’ Tricks – The Pedlar Palmer Story

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