It seems that every mine had it's share of larger than life characters.
When I started work at North Rhondda we had a near retirement worker
on the screens by the name of Harry Stuckey. He was an ex-boxer and his claim to fame was his two fights with the great Jimmy Wilde. Harry had two No Decisions against Wilde in 1912 & 1913.
Harry told us on the night of the second fight, I believe it was in Tonypandy, he was getting the better of Wilde when suddenly the hall was plunged into darkness. While the power was off, Harry told us someone whacked him over the head with what he felt was a metal bucket, as kept in a corner.
He said he had trouble keeping up his attack & the bout ended in a ND in 8 rounds.
Even thogh Harry was pretty much punch drunk in the 50's, he would offer you the chance to square up to him and try to hit him, just about impossible , and even at that age his hand speed was incredible.
