South Yorkshire Times, January 12th, 1934
Boxing Tragedy
Joe Darby Exonerated
Magnanimous Father
A tragic boxing match at Blackpool on Boxing Night in which Jabez Johnson (24) of Farnworth, Bolton, Lancs, receiving a fatal knock-out from Joe Darby, a young West Melton boxer, was described as a “clean and manly contest” by the referee, giving evidence at the inquest on Friday. No rules were broken and no foul blow struck, Inspector McKenna of the Blackpool Police said he had made the fullest enquiries and was perfectly satisfied that everything was in order.
The jury returned a verdict of “Misadventure” and exonerated everyone connected with the fight.
At the close of the inquest the coroner said the jury would like to join him in telling Darby how sorry they were that he had been the innocent means of causing a boy’s death, they did not attribute any blame to him for what had happened. “Johnson’s father is here” he said “and I fancy he would like to tell Darby the same thing.” Mr. Johnson, who was in tears, beckoned to Darby. The boxer, who was greatly affected went across the court and shook hands.
Darby showed our representative a letter which he has received from Mr. Johnson. It read: “I find it rather difficult to express my thoughts in this time of sorrow following the death of my son and after the regrettable incident at Blackpool, and knowing you must have had your share of sorrow as well as we have here I thought it only my duty to write to you to tell you that neither the family nor I bear you any malice or ill and hope you may soon recover from the shock it must have born to you to learn of his death.
Darby fought at the Barnsley Stadium on Sunday where a collection was taken for the boxer’s family.