Eric Boon. The Boon contest was for the British Lightweight title and took place on 12 August 1944 at the Cardiff Arms Park in the Welsh capital. James took the title after a tenth-round knockout. He served as a sergeant-instructor in the Army Physical Training Corps during the Second World War. James never defended his British title but before retiring he challenged American Ike Williams for the NBA World Lightweight title. The match brought the champion to Wales, the first time a boxing title had been held in the country, taking place at Ninian Park on 9 September 1946. James was knocked out in the ninth round after suffering six knockdowns during the bout. James retired from boxing in 1947 after being beaten by a 19-year-old Cliff Curvis at the Vetch Field in Swansea. James had failed to make the weight limit for the challenge against Curvis, for which he was stripped of his British title, and subsequently retired from boxing. See also List of British lightweight boxing champions References External links Ike Williams v Ronnie James World title commentary BBC Sport Welsh male boxers Lightweight boxers 1917 births 1977 deaths Boxers from Swansea Royal Army Physical Training Corps soldiers British Army personnel of World War II Military personnel from Swansea