Titles: Never a universally recognized champion Record: 52-3-6 (35 K.O's) Born: December 15, 1880 in Cardiff Wales Years active: 1901-1919 Nickname: Peerless Driscoll has to be considered one of the best boxers to have never received universal recognition as the world champion. He won every title imaginable except the one which was recognized by the powerfull New York City Athletic Commission. He was a defensive genius and this helped him avoid the more free winging fighters of America and the rest of the world, although his offensive skills, especially the left hand should not be sold short. Other than knockout power he lacked in no department. Driscoll like many of his day began his boxing in the old boxing booths, at the age of 18 however he turned pro. un-characteristickly he won his first 10 bouts by knockout. His first major honor came in 1907 when he knocked out Joe Bowker in London to win the British featherweight championship, it is a title he never lost in the ring and only relinquished when he retired. The following year he defeated Charlie Griffin to win the Empire featherweight title.The next year saw wins over the top European opposition followed before he went to the United States to prove himself. At the time he boxed in the center of American boxing, New York City there was a law that stated unless there was a knockout winner no decision would be rendered. This was not a good rule for a boxer. In 1909 he fought his most important bout against Abe Attel under the New York Laws. Newspaper men of the time reported that Attell lost every one of the 10 rounds and was confused by a boxer who did not stand still long enough for him to get hit. Driscoll was now a world champion in everyones eye except the sanctioning body of the time. He returned to England knowing he had bested Attell and that unless he could knock out the notoriously tough Attell there was no hope of winning the title. His return home saw wins over Seaman Hayes and Spike Robson twice for Lonsdale Belts. In1910 however he was matched against fellow Welshman Freddy Welsh in a ugly foul marred match for the British lightweight title. The fight ended with Driscoll loosing his temper and butting Welsh in the 10th round earning him a disqualification loss. Driscoll fought on and in 1912 he easily defeated Frenchman Jean Poesy in 12 rounds to win the European featherweight title and defend it with a 20 round draw against the talented Owen Moran. He retired from the ring in 1913 and during World War I joined the military forces. Short of Cash he made a brief comeback and two wins before 11 year younger Frenchman Charles Ledoux knocked him out in a fight he had been winning. 5 years later Driscoll died of tuberculosis, over 100,000 lined the streets of Cardiff as his funeral procession passed through.