Joe Symonds

Biography

Joe Symonds, born Hubert Toms, was a British professional boxer who dominated the flyweight and bantamweight divisions from 1910 to 1924. He held several prestigious titles, including the IBU World Flyweight, the National Sporting Club's British Flyweight, and the EBU Flyweight.

Symonds began his professional career in October 1910 with a points victory over Nipper Riley. He quickly established himself as a talented fighter, amassing an impressive record of 20 wins, 3 draws, and only 2 losses in his early bouts against relatively inexperienced opponents. In December 1912, he scored a notable victory against the more seasoned Young Joseph's Nipper, who retired in the ninth round.

Throughout 1913, Symonds faced tough competition, including future world champion Percy Jones, who defeated him thrice that year. However, Symonds bounced back in 1914, going undefeated in several matches and securing a draw against former world champion Bill Ladbury. In May 1914, he avenged his earlier losses to Jones, claiming the European flyweight title when Jones retired in the eighteenth round.

Symonds' crowning achievement came in October 1915, when he faced Tancy Lee at the National Sporting Club for the British and IBU World flyweight titles. In a gruelling battle, Symonds stopped Lee in the eighteenth round to capture both belts. However, his reign was short-lived, as he lost the titles to the legendary Jimmy Wilde in February 1916.

After moving up to the bantamweight division, Symonds continued to pursue championship glory. He challenged for the British bantamweight title multiple times, facing top contenders such as Joe Fox and Tommy Noble, but failed to secure the belt.

In 1920, Symonds embarked on a boxing tour of Australia, where he competed in 14 fights and even defeated former Australian bantamweight champion Vince Blackburn. Upon his return to England in 1921, he experienced a series of setbacks, losing several key fights. Undeterred, he travelled to the United States in 1922 to face Tommy Gerrard. Symonds continued boxing until October 1924, when he suffered a seventh-round knockout loss to former European and British Empire champion Bugler Harry Lake, marking the end of his professional career.

Despite his challenges in the latter part of his career, Joe Symonds' contributions to British boxing cannot be overlooked. His victories over notable opponents, his championship reigns, and his willingness to take on the best fighters of his era solidified his place in the annals of British boxing history. After retiring from the ring, Symonds remained involved as a referee, further demonstrating his dedication to boxing.