On This Day: Elky Clark Remembered

By Peter

Elky Clark was a tough and game fighter, who achieved a lot in his comparatively short, whirlwind career.

Born William Clark, on January 4, 1898, in Bridgeton, Scotland. Clark worked as a riveter, and also earned money playing the accordion.

He began fighting as a professional in 1921, and was put into the deep end right from the start, with his first professional fight being scheduled for 15 rounds. Clark lost his debut on a 3^rd round knockout to Alec Boyes, but would fight Boyes again 3 times in succession, drawing once, and winning twice on points over 10 rounds. Clark would compile a record of 5-7-5 in his first 19 contests, but this was a time when a loss was just part of the learning curve for a boxer, and Clark was learning his trade and honing his busy style of fighting.

On May 15, 1923, Clark challenged Willie Woods for the Scottish area Flyweight title, but was beaten on points over 20 rounds.

Six months later, Clark challenged Harry McConnell for the Scottish Area Bantamweight title, and won on a 13^th round retirement.

On March 31, 1924, Clark stopped Kid Kelly in 20 rounds to win the vacant British flyweight title. Six months later, Clark added the Commonwealth Flyweight title title to his collection, with a 10^th round stoppage of Jim Hanna.

Clark was out-pointed over 20 rounds by Michel Montreuil, for the European flyweight title on November 21, but in a rematch two months later, Clark emerged the winner, and new European champion, after out-pointing Montreuil over 20 stanzas.

Elky retained his titles through a number of defences over the next few years, then on January 21, he travelled to America to meet American Flyweight champion, Fidel Labarba, in a fight that was billed as the vacant world flyweight championship. The fight was a disaster for Clark. He injured his eye, and was beaten badly, being floored 5 times, with only his courage helping him last the 12 rounds distance, to lose on points.

This was Clark’s final fight, as his eye injury was too severe to allow him to continue his career. Elky Clark’s final record was (30-12-5, 20koes).

 

 

 

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On This Day: John McCluskey: British Flyweight Champion Remembered

By Peter Silkov

 

John McCluskey was a quick and skilful flyweight, who could also mix it up when he needed to do so.  During a ten year career, McCluskey was one of the best flyweights in Europe from the late 60s to the mid 70s, but never managed to secure a world title shot.

Born on January 23, 1944, in Hamilton, Scotland, McCluskey began his professional career in 1965, at the age of 21.  Throughout his career McCluskey was well traveled, fighting in England, Sweden, Italy, South Africa, America, Switzerland, Australia, Zambia, Wales and his native Scotland.

In just his 8th professional fight, on January 16, 1967, McCluskey won the vacant British Flyweight title, when he knocked out Tony Barlow in the 8th round.  McCluskey would hold the British title until his retirement in 1976.

McCluskey tried 4 times to win the Europeon flyweight championship, but was beaten each time.  Fernando Atzori knocked him out in the 4th round on June 26, 1968, then out-pointed over 15 rounds by Franco Zurlo on April 4, 1970.  In his third try for the European title on March 19, 1971, McCluskey was out-pointed by Fernando Atzori, after a hard fought battle, which many thought he had won. In a 4th and last bit to win this title, McCluskey fought Fritz Chervet on December 26, 1972, and was beaten on points.

McCluskey did win the Commonwealth Flyweight title, out-pointing Harry Hayes In Melbourne, Australia, on June 16, 1970.  McCluskey held the Commonwealth title till August 5, 1971, when Henry Nissen stopped him on cuts in the 8th round.  

John McCluskey had his final fight on December 4, 1975, when Wayne Evans surprisingly stopped him in the 1st round.  He retired with a final record of 23(10koes)-15. 

John McCluskey died on July 17, 2015, at the age of 71.

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