Jimmy Wilde
World, European and British Flyweight Champion
1916 - 1923
typed letter signed
 

 
 


THE MIGHTY ATOM
 

  
      If you are one of those little sawed-off guys, five feet nothing, with arms and legs like broomsticks, don't get that inferiority complex, don't get scared and envious of your lusty brethren, the men with brawn and muscle. Just listen to this story about a little chap who conquered the world. Let me present you, Jimmy Wilde.
    Jimmy Wilde was the smallest fighter who ever stepped inside a British ring, BUT HE WAS THE BEST. No other fighter born in Great Britain has such a splendid record as The Terror From Tylorstown.
    Including fights in boxing booths, Jimmy Wilde made 864 appearances in the ring, and only lost four bouts in his whole career. In return fights, he reversed two of these decisions.
    When he was flyweight champion of the world, Jimmy never weighed more than 100 pounds. In every contest, except one, Jimmy had to give away weight, and remember, he fought the best flyweights and bantamweights in the world.
    Maybe you would be interested in the physical measurements of this Little Marvel, the tiny mite with a hammer in each glove. Here they are:
    Height 5 feet 2.5 inches; reach 68 inches; chest (normal) 32.5 inches; chest (expanded) 34.5 inches; neck 12.75 inches; waist 22 inches; calf 10.25 inches; ankle 8.25 inches; biceps 10.75 inches; forearm 10.75 inches; wrist 6.5 inches.
    If you study these measurements, you sure will agree that so far as physique was concerned, Jimmy was the cat's whisker. His forearm was sizeable; he had a good reach for a flyweight, but gosh, there can't be many lads in the whole wide world who cannot give Jimmy plenty of inches.
    Let me make it quite clear. Jimmy was tiny, but he was tough. Yes, sir. He never had a serious illness in his life. He had worked in the coal mines in Wales as a youth, where you must be tough to keep your job. Those thin arms and legs were like iron, he was always in training.
    Yes, Jimmy was small, but he had a fighting heart second to none. He fought hard, he loved a fight, he gave no quarter, and he expected none. Jimmy always fought to the last gasp; he had the iron in his soul.		  
 


R. B. Cozens - The Ring (January, 1941)
 

  
 

 

 

 


This two page TLS has been boldly signed by flyweight champion Jimmy Wilde in black fountain pen ink... The letter has great content referring to his flyweight championship fight with Pancho Villa in which he would lose his title by way of a knockout in round 7, this was Jimmy Wilde's last fight... The letter is undated but is undoubtedly from the 1923 or 1924 as Wilde is announcing his retirement as flyweight champion of Great Britain... A rare, early Jimmy Wilde signed item!

measures: 8 x 10"
condition: piece missing from upper left of page one will mat out, some minor tears at
edges, some separation at folds and some light soiling

sold!!

 
 

 

 

 
 
                                                      "Lonsdale,"

                                                                       RADYR.

     Mr. McGarthy,
                           The People,
                                          Effington House,
                                                                   1, Arundel St.,
                                                                                         Strand,
                                                                                                    LONDON
    Editorial Department.


    Dear Mr. McGarthy,
                                    I am sorry we could not finish our conversation this afternoon, as I could not quite understand all you said, as there was someone interrupting all the time. We have had a great deal of trouble with the phone today at the office.
                                    I will try and give you the news you require. I carried out my programme as I had intended. I led Villa on in the first and second rounds, to try and gain his confidence, to leave himself open, and then take my chance. No matter what the critics say, I was pleased with myself in the first and second rounds. At the end of the second round the bell rang. I dropped my arms, and turned towards my corner, when the blow came across.
                                    From then I really do-not remember anything of the remaining rounds, as my actions were purely mechanical, although they say the fourth and fifth rounds were mine. The Sub Titles in the pictures say that Wilde hit Villa with everything but the ring-post, which shows I must have been pretty accurate, but lacking the power after the foul blow. The crowd of course were in uproar, but the referee he took no notice. Of course I heard nothing, being only semi-consious.
                                   I am pleased am pleased to say that I am feeling quite fit no ill effects, and carry no marks, I believe some of the papers say , that I was very badly marked. I must say that the American sporting crowd gave me a wonderful reception. There is no doubt that I received a far greater reception than the winner, and all I can say is, that I am pleased that I have been able to finish my career as I wish, that is, with the flag flying, but of course I should have liked to have won.
                                  I an retiring from the ring as Fly-Weight Champion of Great Britain. I think that you will be able to fix up a decent article, out of what I have said, but of course you may make any additions, or erasions as you think fit. I shall be coming up to town shortly.
                                  I can tell you more in a few minutes conversation than in an hours letter-writing.
                                       I am,
                                               Yours Sincerely,
                                                              Jimmy Wilde
 

  
 

 

 

 

 

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