Denis Reardon

Denis Reardon holds the distinction of being the first person in a Welsh vest to win a gold medal at the Empire or Commonwealth Games. But it could have been so different because he was allegedly the fifth choice to go on the trip, but the only one who could make it. His success came in the middleweight division and he was the first of four Welsh boxers who have struck gold at the Games when he won in Sydney in 1938.

Wales only sent a team of four to Australia – a butcher, student, factory manager and apprentice fitter – and they spent three months on a boat getting there. Every two weeks they would stop off for training.

Having beaten a New Zealander and a Canadian in the early rounds – boxing was one of seven sports at the Games and Wales were one of 15 nations taking part – Reardon squared up to England’s Maurice Dennis in the final at Rushcutters Bay Stadium on Thursday, 10 February.

Born in Swansea, but boxing out of Camden Town, Reardon was the ABA Middleweight champion of 1937 and the clear favourite after putting in the extra miles in his training down under. He linked up with Cardiff-born trainer ‘Slam’ Sullivan and used the 12 mile distance between his gym and the athlete’s village to good advantage – by running there and back.

His points victory launched a golden avalanche for the small Welsh team with Jim Alford following up the next day with a win in the mile race at Sydney Cricket Ground. On his return, Denis boxed for a few more years, but would never reach the heights of Sydney again.

Denis Reardon (Boxer) Born in Cardiff on 6 July, 1917 Died in Cardiff on 28 March, 2013