"Private" Dan Voyles
("Pounder" Voyles)
BORN August 2 1888; Dublin, Ireland DIED July 1968 HEIGHT 6-0 (Some sources report 6-1) WEIGHT 175-188 lbs
Voyles was a popular light heavyweight and heavyweight who showed great potential early in his career; But, as he moved upward in competition, he encountered difficulty (as everyone does); He won the Heavyweight Championship of Ireland, the British Armed Services Heavyweight Championship and the Irish Guards Heavyweight Championship during his boxing career
Dan fought in the Battle of the Somme during the World War I; There is a well-founded story about Voyles tackling six Germans in a trench (this must have been witnessed by some of his colleagues); He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for bravery; He left the Army in 1918
Dan trained the Duke of Windsor at Sand Hurst College while he was a gym instructor there; The Duke gave him a gold watch; When he trained the Duke, he was also the manager of the Guinness’ football team of Saint James’ Gate - and very successful in the top league; Voyles worked in the Guinness Brewery
At the time of his passing in July 1968, he had six children and was living a very peaceful retirement
During his career, Voyles defeated such men as Jack Scales, Matthew "P.O." Curran and Harry Croxon1909 Oct 18 Private Hobson London, Eng W 3 Nov 8 Corporal Styles London, Eng KO 3 -Perhaps, this man was "Jem Styles" Nov 22 Arthur Bennett Aldershot, Eng KO 1 Dec 11 Private Smith Aldershot, Eng KO 1 Dec 18 Harry Croxon Aldershot, Eng W 4 Dec 20 Jack Scales London, Eng W 6 1910 Feb 14 Gunner Hewitt London, Eng KO 6 Mar 11 Bombardier Porter Aldershot, Eng KO 1 May 30 Seaman Parsons London, Eng L 2 -Some sources report "LT 2" Oct 19 "Bombardier" Billy Wells London, Eng LK 10 1911 "Bandsman" Dick Rice London, Eng L 3 -Voyles was the Irish Guards Heavyweight Champion 1912 Jun 24 Sergeant Ford Dublin, Ire LF 5 Dec 20 Matthew "P.O." Curran London, Eng WF 3 -Heavyweight Championship of Ireland 1913 Mar 17 Packey Mahoney London, Eng LT 6 Nov 10 Denis Haugh London, Eng LT 8 -Light Heavyweight Championship of Great Britain 1914 Jun 1 Trooper Young Swansea, Wales KO 7 1916 Jun 21 -Voyles was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for bravery during World War I Dec 18 "Bombardier" Billy Wells London, Eng LT 2 -Heavyweight Championship of Great Britain 1917 Nov 12 Frank Goddard London, Eng LK 3 *** Photos Were Provided By John Voyles, Grandson (of Dublin, Ireland) ***
Record courtesy of Tracy Callis, Historian, International Boxing Research Organization
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