Jack Doyle (boxer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Statistics
Nickname(s)	The Gorgeous Gael
Rated at	Heavyweight
Height	1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
Reach	201 cm (79 in)
Nationality	Irish
Born	(1913-08-31)31 August 1913 Cobh, Ireland
Died	13 December 1978(1978-12-13) (aged 65) Paddington, London, England
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	23
Wins	17
Losses	6

Joseph "Jack" Doyle (born August 31, 1913 – died December 13, 1978) was a famous Irish boxer, actor, and singer. He was known by his nickname, "The Gorgeous Gael", because of his good looks and Irish background. Jack Doyle was a talented person who achieved success in many different areas of his life.

Jack Doyle's Early Life and Career

Jack Doyle was born in 1913 in Cobh, a town in County Cork, Ireland. He grew up in a working-class family. Jack was very tall, standing at six feet five inches, and he was naturally good at fighting.

In 1929, when he was 16, Jack joined the Irish Guards, a part of the British Army based in Wales. This is where he really started to shine in boxing. He became known for his powerful punches, especially his strong hooks. He even won the British Army Championship.

Jack had an amazing record of 28 wins in a row, with 27 of those wins coming by knockout. This impressive performance caught the eye of a boxing promoter named Dan Sullivan. Jack then decided to become a professional boxer. He won his first 10 professional fights, all within the first two rounds. This made him one of the most exciting new boxers in the sport.

In July 1933, at just 19 years old, Jack fought for the British Heavyweight title. He faced the champion, Jack Petersen, from Wales. Jack Doyle lost this fight after being disqualified.

Soon after, people discovered Jack's beautiful singing voice. Dr. Vincent O'Brien, who was a voice coach for the famous singer Count John McCormack, helped him. Jack's soft tenor voice and handsome looks quickly made him popular. He performed to sold-out crowds at famous venues like the London Palladium and the Royal in Dublin. He even signed a record deal with Decca.

In 1934, Jack traveled to the United States. He recorded several songs, including a popular duet called "South of the Border" with his wife at the time, Movita.

Jack Doyle's Time in America

While in America, Jack Doyle continued his busy lifestyle. His good looks and success opened doors for him to many parties and events. He also started an acting career, starring in two movies: McGlusky the Sea Rover (made in the UK in 1934) and Navy Spy (made in 1937). Later in his life, he had smaller roles in several British films.

Jack also continued to box in the United States. In August 1935, he fought against Buddy Baer. Jack lost this fight in the first round. Around this time, Jack married actress Movita Castaneda.

Returning to Ireland

Movita in a trailer for Mutiny on the Bounty

Jack and Movita had a celebrity wedding in Dublin's Westland Row Church. After their wedding, they toured Ireland and England, performing to packed music halls and opera houses.

Around this time, Jack fought his very last professional boxing match. He faced a boxer named Chris Cole in front of 23,000 fans at Dalymount Park in Dublin. Jack lost this fight in the first round. After this, Movita decided to move back to Hollywood. She later married the famous actor Marlon Brando.

Jack Doyle faced some tough times after his boxing and singing careers slowed down. He had financial difficulties and sometimes struggled to find a place to live. He would often stay with friends in Pimlico, London. For a while, his only regular money came from an allowance he received from Movita.

Jack Doyle's grave

Jack Doyle passed away in 1978 at St. Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London. At first, it seemed he might be buried in a simple grave in London. However, when people in Ireland heard about his death, members of the Cork Ex-Boxer's association decided to help. They worked with a funeral director from Cobh, Paddy Barry, to bring Jack's body back home to Ireland.

Large crowds gathered in the streets of Cobh to pay their respects as Jack's coffin was carried on its final journey. A lone piper played music, and a red carnation, which was Jack's special symbol, was placed on top of the coffin. He was buried in the Old Church Cemetery, an old cemetery on the edge of Cobh, County Cork. Thousands of people visit his grave every year to remember him.

Songs and Legacy

A popular Irish song called The Contender was written about Jack Doyle by Jimmy MacCarthy around 1983. Many famous artists have performed this song, including Finbar Wright, Christy Moore, Tommy Fleming, and Paul McGrath (footballer).

RTÉ, the main broadcaster in Ireland, featured Jack Doyle in a special program called Jack Doyle, a Legend Lost in September 2007. This show was part of their True Lives series. A book about his life, titled Jack Doyle: The Gorgeous Gael (ISBN: 1-84351-123-1), was also released in late 2007.

Filmography