George Rawkins Boxing Career

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... British Boxing Board of Control licence




George started boxing at the age of 15 (1926), when he joined the Sunninghill Boxing Club. While there he made an appearance in a tournament at Guildford, and beat George Buck, well known locally, by a technical knock-out in the last round.

His professional debut was on 4-Oct-1938 in Reading. After a short professional career, stopped short by the war, he was still an active boxer. There was talk of an exhibition bout against Freddy Mills but that never happened.

In the late 1950's George was a active member of the Onslow Boxing Club in Guildford with Mayo Smith who ran the club. George and Mayo shared boxing bills in the late 1930's.

Below is a table of all the bouts my Father fought and that I have records. First as an amateur 1930 to 1938 and then as a professional 1938 to 1939. The bout in July 1941 was an exhibition bouts I would think.

Bouts
Date Day Place Weight Opponent Result Media
14-Mar-1930 5 Aylesbury 10 st 7 lb Won Press Cutting
7-Aug-1933 1 Cranleigh Middle C Dickinson Won Programme
14-Jan-1935 1 Winchester 11st 6 lb Programme
4-Feb-1935 1 Guildford 11st 6 lb Programme
28-Nov-1935 4 Guildford Middle
9-Dec-1935 1 Alton Light Heavy J Martin Programme
14-Nov-1936 6 Bemondsey Middle PC. A Bailey Programme
16-Apr-1937 5 London Middle J. Mc Cauliffe Programme
2-Nov-1937 2 Battersea Light Heavy A/C A Pring Programme
22-Jul-1938 5 Basingstoke Trooper Jary Programme
Professional
4-Oct-1938 2 Reading Middle Alf Bishop Draw Poster & Press Cutting
8-Nov-1938 2 Swindon Middle Col Nixon Won Ko 3rd Programme & Press Cutting
13-Dec-1938 2 Swindon Middle Jack Daly Programme
31-Jan-1939 2 Luton Middle Tom Davey Won Ko in 4th Programme & Press Cuttings
13-Feb-1939 1 Reading Middle Jack Daly Won on Points Programme & Press Cuttings
6-Mar-1939 1 Bristol Cruiser Alf Bishop Poster & Press Cutting
16-May-1939 2 Southampton Middle Taffy Davies Lost Poster
?? 3 Reading ?? Paddy Hayes Won on Points Press Cutting
18-Aug-1939 5 Andover Middle Taffy Davis Draw Programme & Press Cutting
19-Jul-1941 6 Addlestone 12st 2lb Albert Begbie Vickers Programme


Here is the first record of George's fight career he is 19 year old.

The Bucks Herald Friday March 14 1930

Aylesbury and District Boxing club

A short description of the bouts and the full results are as follows:– 10 st, 7 lbs. Novices' Open Competition -Three two minute rounds.

E. Rayner (Aylesbury and District B.C.) beat A. Parrant (Sunnyhill B.C.) on points. Ruyner opened well and got home several good lefts, although he was inclined to neglect his guard. Both missed badly, but on the whole Rayner held a light advantage and was awarded the verdict on points.

G. E. Rawkins (Sunnyhill B.C.) beat F. Harbin (Aylesbury and District B.C.) on points, Rawkins proved a clever boxer, and although there was some fierce in-fighting the Sunnyhill boy was chiefly the aggressor.

A.C. A. Gooding (R.A.F., Halton) knocked out F. E. Carter (Aylesbury and District B.C. in the first round. Both adopted curious methods by dancing round the ring but Gooding was more skilful and with a left, right, left knocked his man out.

V. N. Davidson (Carlton School. Bedford) received a bye.

Semi-Final Rayner beat Davidson on points. Many remembered the curious tactics of Davidson at the last tournament and once again the fight developed into a farce. Although going the full distance. Raynor failed to get to his man effectively, but won on points.

Rawkins beat Gooding on points, These were well matched, and the boxing was good. On the whole there was little to choose. although Rawkins was the chief aggressor.

Final Rawkins beat Rayner on points. Rawkins was a good winner as he steadied himself and showed better ringcraft. Throughout Rayner heedlessly wasted a good deal of energy, his blows falling short.


George's first professional bout was against Alf Bishop (Western Counties middle-weight champion) and was held on 4th Oct 1938
in the "New Corn Exchange" Reading

Press cutting 1 Another member of the Simpson stable,George Rawkins, of Guildford, meets the West country middle-weight champion, Alf Bishop, of Bath. This is Rawkins first professional contest, and he has been set a severe test. Bishop has fought most of England's best middles. Although only 19 years of age, Rawkins at the moment is fitter than ever before in his career. He is exceedingly tough and game and carries a punch in either hand likely to stop the best. Rawkins, who is now living in Basingstoke. has become very popular here and no doubt he will have many friends with him to see him make his professional debut. All good sportsmen will wish him luck.

Press cutting 2 Alf Bishop, of Bath staged a good rally to force a draw in his eight round contest with George Rawkins (Guildford). Rawkins started strongly and soon had Bishop in difficulties He was on top till the third round and then he appeared likely to win the fight, for he had Bishop on the rope. for a long spell and punched away with both hands to the face and head. After this however, Bishop seemed to come on of his shell and, holding Rawkins off better with his long reach, scored well, especially with his left. This was Rawkins’ professional debut and he acquitted himself well. except for the fact that he was inclined to do a lot of holding.

Press cutting 3 George Rawkins did splendidly to hold the Western Counties middle-weight champion, Alt Bishop, to a draw. Each lad has a wallop in either hand and they tried hard on land a knock-out. Both, however, were a little over eager and marred their efforts by a little too much holding. Rawkins, no doubt is made of the right material to develop into a top class man when he cultivates a more free hitting style.

Note

  • Born in 1911 in 1938 he was only 17 not 19 --- Oops
    His second bout was against Col Nixon and was held on 8th Nov 1938
    in the "Baths Hall" Swindon

    Guildford boxer's success George Rawkins, of Guildford, who played football for the Pinks, is doing well as a professional boxer. It will be recalled he made his debut at Reading a month ago. He demonstrated the power of his right hand at Swindon Baths, on Tuesday, when he knocked out Col. Nixon, one of the best middle-weights in the West Country, in the third round. Nixon was saved by the bell in the first round, when Rawkins floored him with a perfect right cross.

    Rawkins will challenge Monty Brown for the middle-weight championship of Hampshire, and he is also challenging Dick Jarvis for the middle-weight championship of Berks, Bucks and Oxon.

    Simpson and Rawkins get Brilliant Knock-out victories The tournament held at the Swindon Baths on Tuesday resulted in a brilliant success for the two Basingstoke lads, Freddie Simpson knocking out Jackie Clarke, of Cambridge, in the second round of the main bout, and George Rawkins knocking out Cal Nixon, of Cirencester, in the third round after having his man down and out in the first, when only the bell saved Nixon. Rawkins punched with great force with his right hand, and it was amazing how Nixon recovered after taking the terrific punch in the first. He, however fought back very gamely in the second, but early in the third Rawkins again caught him with a beautiful straight right. Nixon dropped as if poleaxed, and was counted out.


    His third bout was against Jack Daly and was held on 13th Dec 1938
    also at the "Baths Hall" Swindon

    ....    That is three bouts in as many months !


    His next bout was against Tom Davey and was held on 31st Jan-1939
    at the Assembly Hall in Luton

    George Rawkins fought splendidly to stop Tom Davey, of Stratford, London, in the fourth round of their contest. Rawkins was always forcing the fight and using his right with good judgment he punched Davy all over the ring, and dropped him for several counts before the finish Rawkins has made rapid improvement since becoming a member of the Simpson stable. He will appear at Reading in opposition to Jack Daly, of Reading, in a 10-round cruiser-weight battle. These lads fought a draw in their only previous meeting at Swindon.

    Note

  • When did he fight Tom Davey before?

    His next bout was against Jack Daly and was held on 13th Feb 1939
    at the "New Corn Exchange" Reading

    Press cutting 1 prior to 13 Feb 1939          Strong Bill For Next Bamford Show. Bamford Promotions are putting on a strong bill and expecting a packed house for their next boxing show at the New Corn Exchange, Reading, on Monday February 13. ................Simpson's undefeated stable companion, George Rawkins of Guildford, is matched with Jack Daly, the local Cruiserweight; ............

    Press cutting 2 prior to 13 Feb 1939          On Monday next, at the New Corn Exchange, Reading. Freddie Simpson will have to face another very tough and experienced fighter in Jim Anderson, of Waltham Cross. and he will also have to give away at least half a stone in weight. George Rawkins will fight Jack Daly, of Reading, in a cruiserweight contest for the right to challenge Jarvis for his titles. Coach arrangements are as usual, details and tickets of admittance to show from Mr. John Simonson, 25. Westfield Road. Basingstoke, and Punter's stores, Wote street.

    Press cutting 3 18 Feb 1939          George Rawkins, the Guildford (Pinks) footballer, and professional boxer, beat Jack Daly, Reading, on points last week in a return eight-rounds contest. Their first meeting resulted in a draw, and on that occasion Rawkins was fighting with an injured hand. Rawkins wants to meet Dick Jarvis, the Reading middle-weight, who holds several championships, and his latest success should bring this nearer.

    Press cutting 4 18 Feb 1939          George Rawkins, another member of the Simpson stable, brought off a splendid victory by outpointing Jack Daly, a much heavier man with a very dangerous punch. Rawkins, however, showed Daly that he could punch also, and he dropped the Reading cruiser-weight four times with right hand smashes to the chin. Rawkins looked likely to stop Daly any moment, but it was learned afterwards that he had severely injured his right hand in the third round. He really showed tremendous courage in continuing the fight, which he won handsomely. Rawkins is now anxious to get Dick Jarvis into the ring so that he can prove he is the best man at the middle or lightheavy-weight poundage in Berks, Bucks and Oxon.

    Press cutting 5 18 Feb 1939          Daly Beaten The eight-rounds middleweight fight between the old rivals, George Rawkins (Guildford) and Jack Daly, the Reading man, produced plenty of action, before Rawkins gained the verdict on points. Rawkins possessed a very hard right which shook Daly many times. Twice Daly was down in the second round, and again in the fifth round, when a perfectly-timed punch to the jaw as he came in put him down for eight. Daly showed improvement on his punching compared with his previous display at the Corn Exchange, for he was not so wild with swings, but the fault of being short with his punches was still there. Rawkins often made him miss through trying to connect with his right from too far out, and this naturally brought Daly into trouble. Daly sustained a cut over the eye in the second round, but he would not let it bother him.

    Press cutting 6 18 Feb 1939          Rawkins Impresses George Rawkins, the Guildford middleweight, who also comes from the Basingstoke stable, and has been challenging Dick Jarvis through the “Reading Gazette" for a side stake of £50, clearly outpointed Jack Daly, Reading, over eight two-minute rounds Rawkins was a much brisker fighter than he has been on his previous appearances at Reading, and gave Daly some heavy punishment. The Reading man, early on, was troubled by an epidemic of slipping; when he overcome that difficulty he was still far from being the Daly he used to be, and was out generalled by a much more competent man in nearly every round. Down for counts of six and eight in the first three rounds, his punching got wilder and wilder. Rawkins made him miss all over the place during this period, and the end seemed very near in the fifth, when Daly went down again for a count of eight. Game as ever, though, he threw everything into a desperate effort to score a knock-out in the last two rounds and once in the eighth he was not far of success. Rawkins' superior ringcraft, however, enabled him to survive the onslaught, and he was a clear winner on points at the end.


    A career roundup - press cutting 3 March 1939
    ……. England against Ireland and was a reserve against Germany. He conceded a stone when he lost on points to Aircraftsman Pring, light-heavy-weight champion of the Imperial Services, who was killed a few months afterwards when the plane, in which a British R.A.F. boxing team was touring Africa, crashed in the jungle.

    One of his trophies he received from the Duke of Kent, when he was runner-up in the final of a novices’ competition at West Ham. Rawkins has won numerous amateur contests in the South of England. Last season he became a professional under the direction of Johnny Simpson, of Basingstoke. In the same camp is Freddy Simpson, who has challenged any light-weight in the country.

    Rawkins made his professional debut at Reading, where he drew on points with Alf Bishop, of Bath, middle-weight champion of the West Country. At Swindon he knocked out Col. Nixon, one of the best West Country middle-weights, in the third round of an eight rounds contest. Despite the handicap of an injured right hand, he fought eight rounds and drew with Jack Daly at Reading.

    He knocked out Tom Davey (Stratford) at Luton in the fourth round. Rawkins has challenged Dick Jarvis. of Reading, to a £50 a side fight for the middle-weight championship of Berks, Bucks and Oxon. If the challenge is accepted the fight with probably take place in the open air at Reading.

    Next Monday he goes to Bristol for a return fight with Alf Bishop. This will be his first ten-round contest. Even now, Rawkins' right hand is still slightly damaged, but he's not worrying. “I’ve never regretted taking up professional boxing, George told me, because you get better fights and fairer decisions. At the moment. I have no definite plans for the future, and my immediate ambition is to meet Jarvis in the ring. I’m just jogging along.

    Notes


    His next bout was against Alf Bishop and was held on 6th Mar 1939
    in Bristol

    Or should have been.

    In a newspaper cutting dated 7 March 1939, Simpson did indeed fight Greenaway but Alf Bishop fought Ted Barter (Kingston)


    Press Cutting some time in 1939

    Unbeaten as yet, George Rawkins, the young Guildford boxer who became a professional last summer, seems to have a promising future. When I saw him at his home at
    125, Manor Road (writes a Surrey Times reporter), the room was filled with trophies and awards George won during his career in the “amateur sphere.”

    He is a well knit, liberally muscled lad of the middleweight class. Rawkins is game and plucky. In one of his first professional fights he had a damaged right hand, but drew. He packs a devastating punch in his right hand and uses it often.

    He has yet to cultivate a good style, which at the moment, according to ringside critics, is a little close and bereft of free hitting. From all accounts, however, he is of the right material to be moulded into a top-class fighter. Rawkins, whose trade is carpentering, was born in Battersea and came to Guildford about six years ago. His two younger brothers, Jack (18) and Geoff (14) are both | promising exponents of the science. Rawkins will be best known to some for his connection with the Guildford (Pinks) Football Club, whom he has assisted during several seasons.

    STARTED AT 15
    He fell for the fascination of boxing at the age of 15, when he joined the Sunninghill Boxing Club. While there he made an appearance in a tournament at Guildford, and beat George Buck, well known locally, by a technical knock-out in the last round.

    When he came to Guildford he joined the local Amateur Boxing Club, and later became a member of the Battersea Boxing Club. Two years ago he lost by a casting vote to P.C. Bell, Metropolitan Police open middle-weight champion. At Guildford he beat on points Guardsman Bicknell, Aldershot Command champion and middle-weight champion of the Brigade of Guards.

    At St. Pancras he lost on points to S. Shackel, who represented …...


    His next bout was against Taffy Davies and was held on 16th May 1939
    at the "Albion Boxing Hall" Southampton

    After a fairly even fight Taffy Davis (Wales) beat George Rawkins (Guildford) on points in an eight round welterweight contest. It was not an exciting fight there being too many clinches. After a dull two opening rounds Davis sailed into his man and there were some lively exchanges. Rawkins was the heavier puncher when he connected , but Davis was the neater fighter and faster on his feet. Davis was landing the crisper blows, but he was doing most of the attacking and having to work hard to get them home. Meting out some terrible punishment Rawkins got at close quarters in the first few seconds of the sixth round, when Davis was careless with his guard, and two lefts and two rights to the head in quick succession soon had him in trouble. Davis did a great deal of kidney punching, and eventually this began to tell upon Rawkins. Davis gradually gained the mastery in the seventh and eighth rounds, and just about deserved to have the verdict, although the referee’s decision was not altogether popular with Rawkins supporters.

  • Not too sure about this report - Spelling of Davies - and in the wider article none of the other bouts are mentioned. In fact the lineup in the programme of 18 Aug 29 is the same as those mentioned here but the result of the Rawkins bout is different ?? --- More work to do.


    His next bout was against Paddy Hayes and was held on ?? 1939
    at the "Corn Exchange", Reading

    Boxing - Wheeler and Rawkins Shine          At the Corn Exchange, Reading, on Wednesday of last week, the local boys, Fred Wheeler and George Rawkins, both put up very fine performances in defeating their respective opponents. Wheeler, opposed to Eddie Walters, of Battersea, was always too good for his man and punched with such good effect that he split Walter's ear in the second round. Walters, however, fought back well, but Wheeler's hard hooks to the body soon weakened him, and in the sixth round. Wheeler split the Battersea boy's eye. Walters was in such a sorry plight after taking heavy punishment that it came as no surprise when he elect to retire, leaving Wheeler a good winner.

    George Rawkins met a very tough customer in Paddy Hayes from Ireland, who was some six or seven pounds heavier than Rawkins. Hayes also carries a real wallop in each hand, as he soon demonstrated when he put the Basingstoke lad on the floor for a count in the first round. Rawkins was badly shaken, but he came back to fight like a demon and handed out such terrific punishment that he soon had the Irishman in serious trouble. Heavy punches were handed out and three times Rawkins dropped his man, but the Irishman rose gamely each time. At the final gong Rawkins was returned a good winner. The punishment the Irishman had taken had caused his face to swell to almost twice its size.



    His next bout was against Taffy Davis and was held on 18th August 1939
    at the "Corn Exchange", Reading

    Press cutting 1          The best contest of the evening was that between Taffy Davies (Isle of Wight) and George Rawkins (Basingstoke), Davies used his left throughout with considerable effect, and had Rawkins very much on the defensive. Rawkins was the better boxer, however, and in the seventh round carried the fight to Davies. There was a well deserved draw after a hard hitting final round.

    Press cutting 2          George Rawkins did exceptionally well to force a draw with Taffy Davis, the middleweight champion of Hampshire. It was a gruelling fight from start to finish. Both lads scored with very hard punches to the chin, and both were shaken badly on several occasions, but they are game and tough lads who just love a fight. Davis, a very strong fellow, was splendidly fit and was a little in front at the half-way stage, but Rawkins, using a nice left and right follow to the head, shook him badly on several occasions in the last three rounds. It was a clean fight, and the referee's verdict of a draw met with general approval. These two will fight a return contest for side stakes at the next promotion the 30th.


    Was that his last professional bout?

    It was said that at their wedding on 9 Sept 1939 there should have been a Guard of Honour of crossed boxing gloves.
    But as war was declared a week earlier none of the young men were there, they had all been called up!


    This page was updated on 17 Jan 2016
    by Terry Rawkins