South Yorkshire Times January 5th, 1934
Boxing Tragedy
West Melton Lad’s Unhappy Experience
Fatal Knock-Out
Joe Darby, the clever young West Melton boxer, had an unhappy experience at Blackpool on Boxing Day. Opposing Jack Johnson, of Farnworth in an eight stone £100 contest at the Tower Circus. Darby put his opponent down for a count of nine. Johnson staggered to his feet and Darby put him out for the count, a knock-out from which he recovered consciousness only to whisper to his victor “O.K. Guvnor. Johnson relapsed into unconsciousness and died in the Victoria Hospital, Blackpool on Friday. Darby remained by his bedside during the whole of the time. The inquest was opened on Saturday, but evidence of identification was adjourned until to-day to allow for post mortem examination
The tragic incident occurred in the third round of the bout. Darby told our representative that there seemed nothing unusual about the fight. Johnson, he said, was five pounds over the eight stone limit and he (Darby) four pounds under. “He was fighting very strongly and well, and it was not until I hit him on the chin that he sagged. He went down for a count of nine, then staggered to his feet looking very groggy. I went right in to give him the knock out and was very surprised when he did not come round. Darby told of a touching incident in which the failed boxer whispered “OK Guvnor” as he went off into unconsciousness. The West Melton lad has been greatly affected. He said he could not go on with the competition and on learning of Johnson’s death went to the Tower to withdraw. He told us it was hard to meet the lad’s parents but they were very kind,
Darby denied the rumour that he was giving up boxing. He was to have fought on Sunday at the Barnsley Stadium and the management have agreed to take a collection on behalf of Johnson’s family.
In seven bouts Darby has scored over forty knock-outs and on only six occasions has he been outpointed. One of his greatest fights was against Ellis Ashurst last year when, after putting his opponent down twice for a count of nine, he was beaten on points. Billy Miller of Leeds and Matt Moran, the clever young Wombwell professional, have been numbered among his opponents and he has many followers in important centres. At the National Sporting Club, Leeds, he has “topped the Bill” on several occasions. Darby is a native of Wath, and is 21.