Billy “Spider” Kelly: Derry’s Featherweight Champion
Billy “Spider” Kelly was a Derry boxer who won the British Empire featherweight title in 1954 and the British championship in 1955. Born on April 21, 1932, he was the son of fellow boxer Jimmy “Spider” Kelly.
Career and major results
Kelly made his professional debut against Peter Walmsley at Morecambe’s Winter Gardens on June 6, 1950. His early success included Northern Ireland’s inaugural Dalzell Memorial Shield in 1952.
On October 2, 1954, he defeated Roy Ankrah over fifteen rounds at Belfast’s King’s Hall to win the Empire title. He beat Sammy McCarthy at the same venue on January 22, 1955, for the British championship.
Kelly lost the Empire belt to Hogan Bassey in November 1955 and the British title to Charlie Hill in February 1956. He continued at lightweight before his final bout, a draw with Jim McCormack in March 1962.
He died in Derry on May 7, 2010. A memorial honoring Billy and Jimmy Kelly was erected in the city in August 2014.
Kelly’s two British-level title wins came close together, but both belts changed hands again within the next year. His later move to lightweight extended his career beyond those championship contests, ending with a draw in 1962. The memorial honoring him and his father places the family’s boxing history in the city where Kelly’s career began.
Sources
Related reading: boxing
Sources: dib.ie
Related references: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Kelly_%28boxer%29 https://topclassboxing.co.uk/2020/10/07/the-legenderry-spider-kellys/
Tags
Boxing, Boxing History
