Sergeant Jimmy Wilde, Army Gymnastic Staff, 1919

Photograph, 1919.

Jimmy Wilde (1892-1969) was born in Pentwyn Deintyr in South Wales and worked as a miner before fighting in boxing booths from the age of 16. He turned professional in 1911 and went unbeaten for an incredible 101 fights before losing a British and European Flyweight Championship bout in January 1915.

Nicknamed the 'Mighty Atom', Wilde then embarked on a 16-fight knockout streak and in February 1916 won the British Flyweight title by beating Joe Symonds. Two months later he was crowned the International Boxing Union (IBU) World Flyweight champion after knocking out Johnny Rosner.

Wilde joined the Army the same year and was posted to Aldershot and then the British Expeditionary Force's Physical Training and Bayonet School at St Pol in France where he was responsible for bringing soldiers up to peak physical condition. He continued to box and in May 1916 took on two fights on the same day at Woolwich. Both opponents were knocked out within a combined total of five rounds.

On 18 December 1916 Wilde became the first official World Flyweight Champion (the IBU title was only recognised in Europe) when he defeated Young Zulu Kid of the United States in the 11th round of their bout at Holborn. The following year he retained the title, beating George Clarke in four rounds, a victory which also secured him the European and British titles.

Wilde finally retired in 1923 after losing his world title to Filipino fighter Pancho Villa in New York. It was only his fourth defeat in 147 professional fights, a record that makes Wilde one of the greatest boxers of all time.