Matt Wells (boxer)

Matt Wells with the National Sporting Club lightweight Lonsdale belt
Matt Wells with the National Sporting Club lightweight Lonsdale belt

Matthew "Matt" Wells (14 December 1886 – 27 June 1953) was a professional boxer in the welterweight (147lb) division.

Biography

He was born in Walworth, London and died in London.

Amateur career

During his amateur career, he won four consecutive ABA Lightweight titles (1904–07).

Olympics

He competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics. In the lightweight event he was eliminated in the quarter-finals after losing to Frederick Grace who later won the gold medal.

Professional career

Wells turned pro in 1909. In 1911 in London he defeated Freddie Welsh in a twenty round fight to win the lightweight championship of Great Britain and take home the Lonsdale belt.[1]

On April 26, 1912 he lost to Packey McFarland at Madison Square Garden, in New York City.[2]

In 1914 he won the World Welterweight title by defeating Tom McCormick by 20 round decision. Wells also defeated Owen Moran and Abe Attell in his career.

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ "Twenty-round Fight. Matt Wells Lightweight Champion Of Great Britain". Montreal Gazette. February 28, 1911. Retrieved 2010-11-07. Matt Wells won a twenty round fight tonight from Fred Welsh for the lightweight championship of Great Britain and the Lonsdale belt The ...
  2. ↑ "Packey M'Farland Whips Matt Wells. English Lightweight Champion Outclassed by Chicago Stock Yards Boxer.". New York Times. April 27, 1912. Retrieved 2010-11-07. Packey McFarland of Chicago removed all doubts as to how he compares as a boxer with Matt Wells, the English lightweight champion, at Madison Square Garden ...