Joseph Beckett (4 April 1892 – 12 March 1965), also known by the

nickname A nickname is a substitute for the proper name of a familiar person, place or thing. Commonly used to express affection, a form of endearment, and sometimes amusement, it can also be used to express defamation of character. As a concept, it is ...

of "Joe", born in Wickham,

Hampshire Hampshire (, ; abbreviated to Hants) is a ceremonial county, ceremonial and non-metropolitan county, non-metropolitan counties of England, county in western South East England on the coast of the English Channel. Home to two major English citi ...

was an English professional light heavy/

cruiser A cruiser is a type of warship. Modern cruisers are generally the largest ships in a fleet after aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships, and can usually perform several roles. The term "cruiser", which has been in use for several hu ...

heavyweight Heavyweight is a weight class in combat sports and professional wrestling. Boxing Professional Boxers who weigh over are considered heavyweights by 3 of the 4 major professional boxing organizations: the International Boxing Federation, the Wo ...

boxer Boxer most commonly refers to: * Boxer (boxing), a competitor in the sport of boxing *Boxer (dog), a breed of dog Boxer or boxers may also refer to: Animal kingdom * Boxer crab * Boxer shrimp, a small group of decapod crustaceans * Boxer snipe ee ...

of the 1910s and early 1920s, who won the

National Sporting Club The National Sporting Club was a club founded in London in 1891, which did more to establish the sport of boxing in Great Britain than any other organisation. Origins The club was founded on 5 March 1891 as a private club. Its premises were at ...

(NSC) (subsequently known as the

British Boxing Board of Control The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) is the governing body of professional boxing in the United Kingdom. History The British Boxing Board of Control was formed in 1929 from the old National Sporting Club and is headquartered in Cardiff. ...

(BBBofC)) British heavyweight title, and British Empire heavyweight title, and challenged for the NSC British Light heavyweight title, and

European Boxing Union The European Boxing Union (EBU), formerly known as the International Boxing Union (IBU), is a pan-European governing body that sanctions championship bouts in professional boxing. The EBU governs the most-prestigious continental title in Europe, th ...

(EBU) heavyweight title.Graeme Kent (2005). ''The Great White Hopes: The Quest to Defeat Jack Johnson''. The History Press Ltd.

Boxing career

Professional

Joe Beckett's first professional boxing bout was a

knockout A knockout (abbreviated to KO or K.O.) is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, muay thai, mixed martial arts, karate, some forms of taekwondo and other sports involving striking, a ...

defeat by Packy Mahoney (Ireland) at the

Covent Garden Covent Garden is a district in London, on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit-and-vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist si ...

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

on 18 November 1912. This was followed by fights including; a

technical knockout A knockout (abbreviated to KO or K.O.) is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, muay thai, mixed martial arts, karate, some forms of taekwondo and other sports involving striking, a ...

victory over Harry Smith (

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...

), a points victory over

Montana Montana () is a state in the Mountain West division of the Western United States. It is bordered by Idaho to the west, North Dakota and South Dakota to the east, Wyoming to the south, and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbi ...

Dan Sullivan Dan, Danny, or Daniel Sullivan may refer to: Arts and entertainment * Daniel J. Sullivan (born 1940), American film and theater director * Daniel G. Sullivan, American screenwriter * Dan Sullivan (musician), indie rock musician * Dan Panic, Amer ...

(US), four wins, two defeats, and then a technical knockout victory over Porky Dan Flynn (US), one defeat, and then a points defeat by Dick Smith for the National Sporting Club British light heavyweight title at the National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London on 25 February 1918, one win, and then a points defeat by

Bombardier Billy Wells William Thomas Wells, better known as Bombardier Billy Wells (31 August 1889 – 12 June 1967), was an English heavyweight boxer. Fighting under the name "Bombardier Billy Wells", he was British and British Empire Champion from 1911 un ...

for the Imperial Services Boxing Association (ISBA) Kings Trophy heavyweight title at

Royal Albert Hall The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall on the northern edge of South Kensington, London. One of the UK's most treasured and distinctive buildings, it is held in trust for the nation and managed by a registered charity which receives no govern ...

, London on 12 December 1918,Boxing News (11 March 1966). ''Boxing News - Finals ISBA Kings Trophy Heavyweight Competition''.

Boxing News ''Boxing News'' is a British weekly boxing magazine published by Kelsey Media. It is the longest-running boxing magazine still in publication, dating back to 1909. History ''Boxing News'' was founded in 1909 by original editor John Murray as, si ...

. ISBN n/a one win, and then a knockout victory over

for the British heavyweight title, and British Empire heavyweight title at Holborn Stadium

London on 27 February 1919, Beckett was not recognised by

so the British heavyweight title was declared vacant,Derby Daily Telegraph (Friday 28 February 1919). ''Derby Daily Telegraph - Joe Beckett versus Bombardier Billy Wells 19190228''.

Derby Daily Telegraph The ''Derby Telegraph'', formerly the ''Derby Evening Telegraph'', is a daily tabloid newspaper distributed in the Derby area of England. Stories produced by the Derby Telegraph team are published online under the Derbyshire Live brand. Histor ...

. ISBN n/a a knockout victory over

Frank Goddard Percy Frank Goddard (27 November 1891- 8 December 1957) was a British boxer who became the heavyweight boxing champion in 1923. Goddard's career begin in 1914 and it soon became apparent that he was one of the best boxers in the UK. He became th ...

for the

British heavyweight title at

Olympia The name Olympia may refer to: Arts and entertainment Film * ''Olympia'' (1938 film), by Leni Riefenstahl, documenting the Berlin-hosted Olympic Games * ''Olympia'' (1998 film), about a Mexican soap opera star who pursues a career as an athlet ...

, London on 17 June 1919,Western Times (Wednesday 18 June 1919). ''Western Times - Joe Beckett versus Frank Goddard''. Western Times. ISBN n/a a knockout victory over Eddie McGoorty (US),Exeter and Plymouth Gazette (Wednesday 3 September 1919). ''Exeter and Plymouth Gazette - Joe Beckett versus Eddie McGoorty''.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette Exeter () is a city in Devon, South West England. It is situated on the River Exe, approximately northeast of Plymouth and southwest of Bristol. In Roman Britain, Exeter was established as the base of Legio II Augusta under the personal comm ...

. a knockout defeat by

Georges Carpentier Georges Carpentier (; 12 January 1894 – 28 October 1975) was a French boxer, actor and World War I pilot. He fought mainly as a light heavyweight and heavyweight in a career lasting from 1908 to 1926. Nicknamed the "Orchid Man", he stood and hi ...

(France) for the

(EBU) heavyweight title at

Holborn Stadium Holborn ( or ) is a district in central London, which covers the south-eastern part of the London Borough of Camden and a part (St Andrew Holborn (parish), St Andrew Holborn Below the Bars) of the Wards of the City of London, Ward of Farringdon ...

, London on 4 December 1919,Dover Express (Friday 5 December 1919). ''Dover Express - Joe Beckett versus Georges Carpentier''. Dover Express. ISBN n/a a knockout victory over Dick Smith defending the British heavyweight title,Western Daily Press (Saturday 6 March 1920). ''Western Daily Press - Joe Beckett versus Dick Smith''.

Western Daily Press The ''Western Daily Press'' is a regional newspaper covering parts of South West England, mainly Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Somerset as well as the metropolitan areas of Bath and North East Somerset and the Bristol area. It is published Mon ...

. ISBN n/a a knockout victory over

defending the British heavyweight title,Derby Daily Telegraph (Tuesday 11 May 1920). ''Derby Daily Telegraph - Joe Beckett versus Bombardier Billy Wells 19200511''.

. ISBN n/a a retirement victory over Tommy Burns (Canada) defending the British Empire heavyweight title, a knockout defeat by

Frank Moran Francis Charles Moran (18 March 1887 – 14 December 1967) was an American boxer and film actor who fought twice for the Heavyweight Championship of the World, and appeared in over 135 movies in a 25-year film career. Sports career Born i ...

(US),Western Daily Press (Saturday 11 December 1920). ''Western Daily Press - Joe Beckett versus Frank Moran''.

. ISBN n/a a technical knockout victory over Boy McCormick defending the British heavyweight title,Western Daily Press (Tuesday 13 September 1921). ''Western Daily Press - Joe Beckett versus Boy McCormick''.

. ISBN n/a a disqualification victory over George Cook (Australia) defending the British Empire heavyweight title,Exeter and Plymouth Gazette (Tuesday 11 April 1922). ''Exeter and Plymouth Gazette - Joe Beckett versus George Cook''.

. ISBN n/a a technical knockout victory over

(US),Exeter and Plymouth Gazette (Friday 13 October 1922). ''Exeter and Plymouth Gazette - Joe Beckett versus Frank Moran''.

. ISBN n/a a knockout victory over Dick Smith defending the British heavyweight title, Joe Beckett's final professional boxing bout was a knockout defeat by

, London on 1 October 1923.

References

External links

*
Image - Joe BeckettImage - Joe Beckett
*
Video - Joe Beckett At HomeImage - Cigarette CardImage - PostcardImage - Tommy Burns signs to fight Joe Beckett 1920Image - PostcardImage - All Sports Illustrated Weekly CoverImage - Joe Beckett (black trunks) versus Georges Carpentier - 4 December 1919Article - Looking Back: When Olympia became a heavyweight venue (Joe Beckett versus Frank Goddard - 17 June 1919)Article - Joe Beckett & Arthur Waters
{{DEFAULTSORT:Beckett, Joseph 1892 births 1965 deaths Cruiserweight boxers English male boxers Heavyweight boxers Light-heavyweight boxers People from Fareham