Sports Gallery

Boxing at Wembley Stadium 1924 EPW011412

The first ever boxing match at Wembley Stadium, London on 9th August 1924. This was a light heavyweight contest between "Basking" Jack Bloomfield and Tommy Gibbons. The undercard included a heavyweight contest between Phil Scott and Andre Anderson (won by Scott). Bloomfield, from Islington had been British Light Heavyweight champion since 1922, shortly after moving up from Middleweight. Gibbons, from Minnesota, had recently lost the World Heavyweight title to Jack Dempsey in 1923. Although he was coming towards the end of his career he was still a formidable opponent, losing only four times in over a hundred bouts. Gibbons won by a knockout in the third round and Bloomfield never fought again. Gibbons retired the following year after his fourth defeat. The promoter was bankrupted after struggling to meet Gibbons financial demands. Aerofilms Collection (see Links)

© Historic England

Georges Carpentier, French boxer, (1938)

Georges Carpentier, French boxer, (1938). Carpentier (1894-1975) fought at every weight from welterweight upwards over a career spanning 109 fights, 88 of which he won. He won European titles at middleweight, light-heavyweight and heavweight. In 1920 he went to the United States and knocked out Battling Levitsky to win the World Light-Heavyweight Championship, but the following year was badly beaten before being knocked out by Jack Dempsey in an attempt to win the World Heavyweight title. After retiring he became a vaudeville performer and a film actor. A Churchman's Cigarettes picture card

© The Print Collector / Heritage-Images

Jack Dempsey Works Out

Los Angeles, California: c. 1927 Jack Dempsey works out in his yard with, L-R, sprinter Frank Wykoff, Dempsey, sprinter Frank Lombardi, and Olympic giold medal discus champion, Bud Houser. Dempsey is planning a rematch with Gene Tunney

© Underwood Archives/UIG

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