This book was initially a set of random notes and clippings, gathered as part of a family tree project and done without any intention of it becoming anything else. Then when trying to reconcile conflicting resources and suggestions of what happened and when, the need to set it all out in a book slowly started to form an idea.
Many times I’ve thought the story was complete when a gap or inconsistency led me off on another research trail. Most of which were successfully concluded, with the one exception – the elusive, silent film The Art of Boxing.
In 1920, Jim was filmed demonstrating many of his boxing techniques. This short film was shown in picture houses up and down the country and it proved to be so popular that in 1921 an expanded version ‘The Complete Art of Boxing’ was filmed, again with Jim as the demonstrator. No trace of this film haas yet been found and the only real proof we have of it is a newspaper advert for a cinema listing it as a trailer item.
Jim’s story is a fascinating tale of how a man with an exceptional talent used it for the benefit of others ahead of himself. He was no angel, and had his share of faults, but he is more than worthy of having these two new books presented to tell his story on the 100th anniversary of his death.
I hope you enjoy them both.
Phil Burns, July 2025
Copyright (c) Philip Burns 2025
Published by Philip Burns
ISBN: Paperback: 979-8-290716-62-6