RHODRI Morgan’s Welsh ancestors left an indelible mark on the sporting life of the USA long before the man himself got round to doing the same in his native land. A great uncle, Tommy Davies, emigrated with a few coalmining friends during the 19th century to seam a richer mine in the Land of the Free.
When word reached them of the second gold rush, Tommy and his pals headed for Criple Creek in Colorado. And it was there that they befriended a young hobo who was handy with his fists.
The Welsh immigrants collected enough money to pay for a few boxing lessons and put Jack Dempsey on the...