The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-13
DYER SINGS IN RING
AFTER ALL FIGHTS
Irrespective Of Whether He
Wins or Loses He Enter
tains Fans.
INJURED AT FOOTBALL
Accident Handicaps Him in
Bouts-Oncc Fought
Les Darcy.
INJURED AT FOOTBALL

Frederick William oDwyer, known
in the ring as Dyer, who first saw the
light OF day Mt Cardiff. Wales. from
| which principally emerged to ring
fame Robert Fitzsimmons Jimmy Wilde,
Jim Driscoll and other boxers of note,
was boilermaker in his youth, pos
sibly in emulation OF Jefrries
oDwyer's mother was a Welsh
woman OF musical tendencies and a
member OF the Royal welsh Glee So
ciety. while his father was an Irishman,
with a formidable reputation as a bare
knuckle fighter.
There ensued combat between
Queensberry and musical art, the mother
| insisting that her son take vocal les
sons and the father insisting that the
boy study the science of the art Of
self-defence. The son compromised and
studied both. with the result that to-
| day he Is the only boxer who can give
a good account OF himself with the
| gloves and then entertain the specta-
tors with musical selections and recita-
| tons
Battled with Darcy.
The fact that O'Dwyer, who on en-
| tering the ring changed his name to
Dyer. once went twenty rounds with the
| great Les Darcy speaks volumes for his
4
Darcy got the decision OF the referee,
but Dyer was there at the finish and
| fighting In good form. II Is difficult
| TO predict to what heights Dyer might
have assembled in pugillsm had he not in
a moment OF weakness consented 20
| take part In a football game. Dyer
| has confused ideas as to what took
place. but to the best OF his recollection
| ne got in front OF the ball just as
a 200 pound opponent tried to kick II.
| Spectators who spoke to Dyer about the
| incident declared he got the kick in
tended for the ball. The result was
| that his right leg was put out OF COM
mission. which has interfered with his
| footwork both in and out Of the ring.
, This injured leg prevented his going
/ TO the front. where three OF his brothers
served. but he was determined to do
his bit and finally got in as an In
structor In boxing.
How He Got Nickname.
The manner in which he earned the
sobriquet Of the singing boxer is not
without interest
| He went to the National Sporting
! Club. Covent Garden. London. to see n
| bout between the champion welters of
the army and navy, Corporal Baker and
Seaman Roberts On the day set for
the bout the soldier met with an acci-
dent and was unable to appear A. F..
Bettinson. manager Of the club. was in
| a Quandary until Dyer who was then n
lightweight, volunteered to meet the
navy champion. The offer was accepted.
| and after seven sensational rounds Dyer
knocked out the sailor. Dyer then as
ktonished the distinguished spectators by
| responding to a request. chiefly made in
jest. for song. Dyer surprised the
audience BY singing in excellent voice
| difficult ballad.
After this incident, no matter how
| hard his fights were, ne could never
: leave the ring without first singing a
| song.
Being a clever entertainer in other
ways. he soon became an attraction in
| vaudeville.
Boxed and Sang All Over Globe.
Dyer probably holds the record for
| varied singing experiences. He has
fought and sung in famous rings all
over the globe lie entertained a party
, Of American tourists ono night in Lon
| don in the hot room of n Turkish bath,
he gave an impromtu concert one day TO
| a party OF buokmakers in Tattersall S
betting ring after the running OF an
! English classic called the St. Leger.
He sang to a party Of tourists in the
depths of the Cheddar Caves, in Soner-
set. England. The caves interior is
not unlike the inside of the dome of q
| cathedral. One hardly can whisper
without hearing a remarkably distlnc,
echo. which gave his vocalism a weird
| effect
Dyer sang to tribe In the wids ot
Africa after he had witnessed a dance
by the natives.
He sang TO party OF Maoris at Ro.
torua, New Zealand, where the ground
Is alive with geysers.
Dyer sang to a party OF tourists in the
mouth OF a Hawaiian volcano Will,
the seething, boiling lava zoo feet be.
low bubbled.
Dyer contemplatcs n tour in vaude-
willie in this country, and IA feature Of
his act will be his demonstration OF
training methods.
The only serious charge brought
against him is that he plays the ukelele