Achievements He was the first world welterweight champion of boxing"s gloved era. Duffy won his first professional fight by knockout over Skin Doherty in 1884 at the age of 19. His last fight happened in 1889 against Australian champion Tom Meadows, who he defeated by disqualification. Just over a year later, he died of tuberculosis at the age of 25 while he was still recognized as champion, ending his career with a 33-3-21 win-loss-draw record with 18 knockout victories.