Boxing enthusiasts have much to be proud of in Niagara County. Lockport, in particular can look to recent legends like Tommy Hicks and Tony Ventura. But another name should also be high up on the list of boxers who made their mark, former Niagara County Sheriff Deputy, James (Jimmy) “The Duke of Lockport” Duffy.

Duffy, born of good Irish stock in 1891, grew up overlooking the Erie Canal on Gooding Street. Fighting his first fight with gloves given him by his grandfather, Duffy fought over 100 fights in a twenty-year span from 1900-1920s, losing only 21 bouts. Although, never an official title holder; those who saw him in the ring remember him as a real champ. Many old-timers would reminisce and say, “Duffy put Lockport on the map.” Duffy was a “tiger” in the ring, always moving in, and forcing the fight. He was a small-town boxer who didn’t let that stand in his way and fought all of the great boxers of his time, including Jack Britton, Packy McFarland, Knockout Brennan and a host of others. A shining moment in Duffy’s career came when he defeated the reigning lightweight world champion, Freddy Welsh, in a terrific ring battle. Even though Duffy won a decisive battle based on points, he was not awarded the world title because a fight whose winner is determined by a referee is not permitted in New York State.

A pall was cast over Duffy’s career in 1915 when he was seriously injured in a car accident and almost lost a leg as a result. Always the fighter, Duffy resumed his career quickly, although newspaper accounts state that Duffy never recaptured his previous glory. Duffy also served his country with distinction in The Great War, World War I. Even during his time in the service, he fought exhibition fights to raise money for crippled children. After his tour of duty, Duffy was appointed a county sheriff’s deputy and served in that position for 27 years until retiring in 1949.

According to a eulogy printed in the Lockport Journal the day Duffy died, April 20, 1960, “No one could ever be able to say a bad word about The Duke of Lockport. He was a credit to the fighting profession and to his hometown.” Though many felt that Jimmy Duffy lived a life without the honor he deserved, Duffy did receive some long overdue recognition through his posthumous induction into the Buffalo Boxers Association Hall of Fame in 2002 at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens.

Douglas Farley, Director
Erie Canal Discover Center
24 Church St.
Lockport NY 14094
716.439.0431
CanalDiscovery@aol.com
www.NiagaraHistory.org