19. Tommy Farr (84-34-17, 24 KO)

Born March 12, 1913

Died  March 1, 1986

 

Welshman Tommy Farr was known as "The Tonypanda Terror" and had his first recorded fight when he beat Jack Lord on points at the tender age of 12.  After an unbeaten 18-fight run, Farr beat Ben Foord to become undisputed British and Empire Heavyweight Champion in 1937.

After beating Foord as well as former world champions Tommy Loughran and Bob Olin, Farr made the step up to elite world level.  Farr produced upset wins over former World Heavyweight Champion Max Baer and Walter Neusel, before going on to fight the legendary Joe Louis.

 

Farr was a huge underdog against Louis, who came into the fight having knocked out eight of his previous nine opponents.  Farr gave "The Brown Bomber" all he could handle—over 15 rounds—and Louis was awarded a narrow points victory that was greeted with jeering from many sections of the crowd.

 

Farr lost his next four fights after Louis and went into a 10-year retirement.  Bankruptcy forced him out of retirement at the age of 36 and Tommy won the Welsh heavyweight Title.  He lost the belt in his last fight and sang the Welsh National Anthem on the microphone before leaving the ring.

 

Tommy Farr passed away on St. David's Day in 1986, a fitting date to mark the passing of a Welsh legend.