Parks, Frank (1885-1945), boxer and Olympian

• Parks, Francis

Frank Parks was born in London in 1875 and became a member of the Polytechnic Boxing Club in 1892. He had great success as an amateur boxer and won his first Polytechnic competition that same year. By 1899, he had won his first English Championship, competing for the Poly. Parks was the Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) Heavyweight Champion in 1899, 1901-1902 and 1905-1906. He also won the Polytechnic’s Studd Trophy in 1902 for the best athletic achievement. French Championships in 1905. Won Olympic Bronze in 1908.

In 1905 he retired from boxing and spent his retirement coaching novices. However, he returned to the ring in 1911 for a series of ABA exhibition bouts at Madison Square Garden in New York with fellow Brit Reuben Charles Warnes.

In 1914 he was made Honourable Secretary of the Polytechnic Boxing Club and remained involved with the club until his death in 1945. The Club dedicated a laurel wreath plaque to his memory with the inscription ‘as a token of admiration by his many friends for his high example and untiring efforts for the welfare of this club for 52 years’.

Found in Subscription Ledger #32515 as F Parks but he is listed as only paying subs for Jan-Jun 1893, with his membership erased on 1st May that year. When cross referenced with the Candidate Book this turns out to be a Francis Parks who was a Dalesman, resident at 143 Bernerton Street, Kings Cross.

Polytechnic Magazine - Oct 1908, Nov 1908, Jun 1945, Aug 1945, Oct 1945, Dec 1946