In January 1910, he stopped Charles Ledoux in four rounds and in October 1911 he beat Albert Cocksedge to take the English 112lbs title.
In November 1911 he fought Ledoux again, this time losing in four rounds, and was knocked out by Johnny Hughes only 8 days later.
After a run of eight straight wins he faced Sid Smith in June 1913 for the British, European, and World (IBU) flyweight titles.
[2][3] Ladbury drew with Joe Symonds in March 1914,[4] and beat Tommy Harrison a month later,[5] but in his third fight in eight weeks was stopped in the eighth round by Tancy Lee at the end of April.
With the outbreak of World War I, Ladbury joined the British Army, initially serving as a private in the Royal West Kent Regiment, rising to Lance-Corporal by late 1916.