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He
answered the doubters by sending each opponent on the
trail to the army title, into the land of Nod in double
quick time an unprecedented occurrence.
That was enough: he was bought of the army for the princely
sum of £28 by promoter Dan Sullivan and turned professional
in 1932. Back home the message got through that one of
our own was on the way to fame and fortune. And at a time
when Irish eyes were hardly smiling and heroes in Ireland
were as scarce as millionaires, Cobh, Cork and the rest
of the country pricked up their ears and held their collective
breaths. The big question of course was would he succeed?
A dazzling amateur career had ended in a 100% record -
just one of his 28 fights went the distance. The credentials
seemed impeccable.
His first professional ring encounter was at Crystal Place
where his antagonist, Chris Gould, hit the canvas having
run into the enormous right hand of the Irishman. That
April 4 bout was the start of a winning sequence stretching
over a year, which led to the moment of truth for Jack.
But he savoured those fights, the financial rewards they
brought and the attendant adulation from fans. Ten pugilistic
matches ended in total victory for the Gorgeous Gael whose
female admirers were growing more numerous with every
outing Arthur Evans, Bill Partridge, Guardsman Gater,
Bobby Shields, George Slack, Gerard Ghesquires, the six
foot seven an a half inch, 18 stone jack Pettiffer and
Moise Bequillon, all came, barley saw and were stopped
by the Cobhman as he beat his way to the long sought title
match with the British Champion, Jack Peterson.
In preparation, Jack went to France where under the supervision
of Francois Descamps, George Carpentir's manager, he trained
for the coming challenge. Excitement was at a fever pitch
for an event, which had captivated the imagination not
only of Ireland but England too. In Cobh there was jubilitation
and a high expectation that their local lad would win
out. Some made the long trip to the White City Stadium
to see the battle live while others trekked a short distance
to Patrick Street, corks
Here in their thousands they waited patiently outside
the "Cork Examiner Office" where news of the
clash was eagerly awaited.
100,000-thronged roads to the White City, a mass of humanity
rarely seen as the Irishman's fans flocked to witness
the crowning of their champion. Thirty thousand could
not gain admission while inside the fight was over almost
as soon as it began, ending in a welter of controversy
as Doyle was disqualified after repeated warnings for
punching too low. The decision was greeted with a crescendo
of boos; disbelief at home and accusations of rigging
filled the air. In Patrick Street there was disappointment
and amazement, many feeling their boy had been robbed.
But nothing could change the result. It was a major turning
point in jack's career thought few would have believed
at the time: from now on the world was truly his oyster.
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