Record

Performance TitleThe Great Fight - Joe Beckett Versus Frank Morgan Boxing Contest
Performance Date10 December 1920
Performance DayFriday
Performance Time21:15
Main PerformersFrank Moran,
Joe Beckett,
Tom Whitehouse (Birmingham),
Tommy Murphy (Pontypridd),
Emanuel Jacobsen (Denmark),
Harold Jones (Ferndale),
Rueben Wright (Liverpool),
Tommy Davis (Treherbert),
Fred Archer (Stepney),
Sergeant Alf Harris (Royal Bershire Regiment),
Charlie Williams (Kings Cross),
Bert Adey (Birmingham),
Alf Lambert (Lambeth),
Jack Crowley (Stratford),
Sergeant Harris (AGS),
Bert Sinfies (sp.) (Birmingham) - boxers
Set ListHeavyweight Contest:
Frank Moran v Joe Becket

Welterweight Contest (10 rounds):
Tom Whitehouse v Tommy Murphy

Bantamweight Contest (10 rounds):
Emanuel Jacobsen v Harold Jones

Flyweight Contest (10 rounds):
Rueben Wright v Tommy Davis

Lightweight Contest (10 rounds):
Fred Archer v Sergeant Alf Harris

Six Round Contests:
Charlie Williams v Bert Adey,
Alf Lambert v Jack Crowley,
Sergeant Harris v Bert Sinfies (sp.)
Performance NotesFrank Moran won (BoxRec website).

The British Film Institute (BFI) holds original footage of the Joe Beckett v Frank Moran heavyweight bout (BFI identifier 11749) made by Pathé Frères.

"THE GREAT FIGHT - Joe Beckett (The Champion of England) v Frank Moran 'The Pittsburg Dentist'. At the Albert Hall, Dec. 10th., 1920" (7). Frank Moran enters the ring on the right hand side, crosses over to the other side, then back (25). Joe Beckett enters the ring on the left hand side and the two shake hands in the centre (39). "Three popular Idols of the ring. GEORGES CARPENTIER, BILLY WELLS & JIMMY WILDE are 'Introduced " (47). Group of men in the left hand corner, from which Carpentier, Wilde and an announcer come to the centre. Carpentier acknowledges the crowd's applause (73). Carpentier meets a man in the right hand corner (81). Carpentier and Wells shake hands in the centre, then Carpentier leaves the ring (105). Boxers and trainers called to the centre, all talk together in a huddle, then return to their respective corners (125). "Round No.1. Moran scored first - chiefly with his right - but early on was cautioned for holding. Beckett showed cleverness in missing Moran's vicious rights and swinging hits" (140). Camera follows Beckett as he comes out of his corner, and the round is shown complete and without a cut. At the end of the round the camera follows Beckett back to his corner (307). "Round no. 2. Beckett started well. - Moran closed in, and both missed several times. Beckett scored with a right to the point Moran answered quickly with a terrific under cut that put Beckett out for the full count". (323). Men waving towels over Beckett as 'Round 2' sign is held up. [Jump cut] Beckett's men leave the ring and the boxers proceed to fight (402). Closer shot as referee talks to Moran. The boxers shake hands and the round continues (422). Normal length shot of close fighting between the two (426). Closer shot continuing to show this action, then Moran knocking Beckett over. Beckett tries to get up but is counted out. His team climb into the ring and carry him off to his corner (469ft). Note: All action is filmed in medium shot from a single position to the left of the ring, with the camera panning left and right to follow the action. The rounds are shown complete, the first without a cut, the second with some closer shots (i.e. using a more powerful lens) but seemingly with very little cut in the action. (Shotlist)."

According to The Daily Telegraph (11 December 1920) students of the London Hospitals were positioned in the Hall's corridors to fundraise wearing operating robes as part of a Rag Week.
Work
Ref NoTitleNo of Performances
Work7846The Great Fight - Joe Beckett Versus Frank Morgan Boxing Contest1
Performers
CodeName of Performer(s)
DS/UK/253Moran; Charles Francis 'Frank' (18 March 1887-14 December 1967); American boxer and film actor
DS/UK/252Beckett; Joe (4 April 1892-12 March 1965); British heavyweight boxer
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