11 Facts About Gipsy Daniels

Gipsy Daniels was born in Llanelli on 9 February 1903 as William Daniel to David John Daniel and Francis Ann Roberts.

Gipsy Daniels's father was a successful rugby player who represented Llanelli and Wales.

Gipsy Daniels began his career boxing in contests in his home area of South Wales, and as an eighteen-year-old he fought under the name "Young Daniel" as a middleweight.

On 24 February 1921, Gipsy Daniels fought his first veteran boxer when he was carded to face Belgian Rene DeVos at The Ring in Blackfriars, London.

Johnston decided that Gipsy Daniels needed a gimmick to sell himself to the public, and decided that he looked "like a gypsy".

Gipsy Daniels fought eight times in New York, including two contests at Madison Square Garden, before returning to Great Britain.

Gipsy Daniels continued fighting in Wales and England, but in September 1925 he travelled to mainland Europe for the first time in his career, to face Swedish boxer Harry Persson at the Cirkus in Stockholm.

Gipsy Daniels won the 20 round bout on points, but he faced a dilemma as to whether to defend the title as the National Sporting Club, who controlled boxing in Great Britain, offered far lower purses than outside promoters.

Gipsy Daniels chose to fight for a non-NSC affiliated promoter to maximise his income, giving up his newly acquired title.

In January 1928, Gipsy Daniels lost a bout to German, Max Schmeling followed by a defeat to Len Johnson, but in a rematch with Schmeling on 25 February he knocked out the German in the first round.

Gipsy Daniels career continued without the success of his earlier years, losing twice to Walter Neusel in Germany, but beating and drawing with Jack London before London became British and Commonwealth Champion.