Rushden Boxer Beaten—On Monday the Northampton Terriers brought their series of boxing entertainments to a close. In the principal contest Gunner A. Coles, R.H.A., of Northampton, knocked out Joe Mitchell, of Rushden, in the eighth and last round. There was some dispute about the weights, Coles being alleged to be over-weight. The fight, however, proceeded. The first round saw honours easy, nothing brilliant being done on either side. Mitchell was apparently leading in the second round, but he went down, and rose again just before the bell rang. The Gunner was showing a good defence which came in useful in the third round. The fourth round was mainly taken up by sparring, which was tedious to watch. In the next round Coles got home once or twice. The sixth round was productive of no excitement at all, but in the seventh, both men received on the jaw. Coles soon had his man beaten, and punished him heavily about the head and face. There was not much doubt about the verdict, for four times did Mitchell go to the ground. Coles had thus a very popular win. C. Lines, of Rushden, won the club competition.

Boxing - At Newcastle on Monday Jack Harrison, of Rushden (middle-weight champion and holder of the Lonsdale Belt), and Nicol Simpson, of Hetton, Newcastle, met in a contest of twenty rounds at catch weights for stake and purse amounting to £200. Simpson opened in brilliant style, and half way through the opening round had his man down. The succeeding rounds were of an exciting character, and in spite of the fact that Harrison had the longer reach, his opponent put more power behind his blows. In the 13th round Simpson had his man down again with a swinging right to the face, and in the succeeding rounds it was apparent that the honours were going to Simpson, barring accident. After going the whole distance Simpson was awarded the verdict on points.

Boxing - Fred Jones, of Rushden, is to meet Tom Harrison, of Hanley, in a ten rounds contest at the National Sporting Club on January 18.

Rushden Echo, 26th November 1915, transcribed by Kay Collins

Rushden Boxer – Joins the Colours

Fred Jones, the Rushden bantam-weight boxer, has joined the Army.

The Argus, 30^th March 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins

Boxing—A card has been handed to us from C. A. Line, the Rushden boxer. He says: “Just a line to tell you I knocked out Tommy Hicks last night at The Ring.” It was a six-rounds contest, and there was a deal of merry fighting in the early stages, which favoured friend Line. Hicks had a hard journey in the fourth round, and received the “K.O.” in the fifth. Rushden boxers will be able to congratulate Line on his victory, for he is expected in the town next week.

Rushden Boxer at Northampton
Success of Debba Lines – A Good Display

A boxing tournament was held at the Palais de Danse, Northampton, on Wednesday, and a Rushden boxer, Debba Lines, "came out" in fine style, winning enthusiastic and well-deserved applause by his sporting and clever display.

There was a crowded attendance, and hundreds were turned away. A good many Rushden residents were amongst the spectators. The whole programme was of the highest order. [this fight and others are briefly reported in the rest of the article]

A Rushden Boxer’s Success – Harry Boddington Beats Horace Barber
At the Cossington-street Baths, Leicester, on Monday, before a crowded house, Harry Boddington (Rushden) gained the verdict on points over Horace Barber (Leicester) in a ten two-minute rounds contest.

A boxer of the aggressive type, he was too strong for Barber, though when the Leicester youth was permitted to stand off and box he scored with nice left leads. Particularly was this so in the seventh round.

The next couple of rounds were, however, bad ones for Barber, who took heavy punishment gamely. The Rushden youth was a clear winner on points.

Chris Smart, the Wollaston boxer, has challenged Austin O’Connor of Leicester, the holder of the light weight championship of the Midlands. The contest is to take place at Leicester on Monday week over 15 three-minute rounds for £25 a side.

Northampton Mercury & Herald, 25^th June 1954

Never Hit a Zulu on the Head

Rushden boxer Don Green has learned one important lesson during his career—never hit a Zulu on the head!

He was boxing the Zulu welterweight champion, Boy David, in South Africa in 1943.

Don saw an opening and hit the Zulu’s skull hard. With a cry of pain he drew his hand back—with two smashed knuckles. The Zulu grinned.

Three years later, Don had good reason to regret that punch; it probably robbed him of the R.A.F. championship.

In the second round of the final a vicious hook to his opponent’s jaw sent pain throbbing through the injured hand again. Don fought on—but lost on points.

During his R.A.F. service in South Africa Don’s record was impressive to say the least.

He had 80 fights—and won 79. He beat several champions.

Now Don acts as trainer to Rushden Boxing Club. There are one or two very promising youngsters at the club. One of them, Duggie Moore, fought at Wembley recently.

Don’s ambition: to get the Rushden club in the top light.