Albert Cocksedge

Albert Cocksedge (30 January 1884 – 25 January 1928), known in the early years of his career as Young Cocksedge, was a British boxer of the early 20th century, who held English titles at various weights, and fought for a world title, in the era before weights were standardised, fighting at weights between 98 and 112lbs.

Career

Born in Leicester in 1884, Cocksedge won his first title in 1901, knocking out Young Tiddler in December that year to win the English 7-stone title. In October 1904 he fought a draw against Frank Morcombe for the latter's English 106lbs title, winning a rematch the following month to take the title. In December he was beaten by the Australian Tibby Watson, who would win the 108lbs world title the following month. In January 1905 he lost in a fight for the 7st 8lbs championship belt of the world to Johnny Hughes, a man who had also beaten him eight months earlier. In October 1906 he beat Charlie Dew on points to take the English 104lbs title, successfully defending against Dew two months later but losing it to Bert Chatterton in February 1907. He regained it in June that year, stopping Chatterton in the fourth round. In October 1907 he beat Charlie Exall for the 106lbs title, and in February 1908 beat Harry McDermott on points for the 108lbs title. In April 1908 he fought a draw with Sid Smith before successfully defending his 106lbs title two months later against Harry Badger. On 7 December 1908 he beat Jack Guyon on points at the National Sporting Club.