Dick Richardson (boxer): Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Welsh boxer}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date= |
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}} |
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{{Infobox boxer |
{{Infobox boxer |
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|name=Dick Richardson |
|name=Dick Richardson |
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|image= |
|image= |
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|realname=Richard Alexander Richardson |
|realname=Richard Alexander Richardson |
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|nickname= |
|nickname= The Maesglas Marciano |
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|height = 6 ft 3 in |
|height = 6 ft 3 in |
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|weight=[[Heavyweight]] |
|weight=[[Heavyweight]] |
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|nationality={{flagicon| |
|nationality={{flagicon|Wales}} [[Wales|Welsh]] |
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|birth_date=1 June 1934 |
|birth_date=1 June 1934 |
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|birth_place=[[Newport, Wales|Newport]], [[Monmouthshire (historic)|Monmouthshire]], [[Wales]] |
|birth_place=[[Newport, Wales|Newport]], [[Monmouthshire (historic)|Monmouthshire]], [[Wales]] |
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|losses=14 |
|losses=14 |
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|draws=2 |
|draws=2 |
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|no contests=0 |
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|KO=24 |
|KO=24 |
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|}} |
|}} |
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''' |
'''Richard Alexander Richardson''' (1 June 1934 – 15 July 1999) was a [[heavyweight]] [[boxing|boxer]] from the [[Maesglas]] area of [[Newport, Wales|Newport]], [[Monmouthshire (historic)|Monmouthshire]], [[Wales]]. He held the European heavyweight title from March 1960 to June 1962. In all, he won 31 of his 47 professional bouts, losing 14, with two drawn. He was one of a quartet of British heavyweights in the 1950s and early 1960s, along with [[Henry Cooper]], [[Joe Erskine (Welsh boxer)|Joe Erskine]] and [[Brian London]], who held out the possibility of a challenging for a heavyweight world champion. |
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Richardson defeated a number of top heavyweights in his career, including; |
Richardson defeated a number of top heavyweights in his career, including; [[Karl Mildenberger]], [[Bob Baker (boxer)|Bob Baker]], [[Brian London]] and Hans Kalbfell. |
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==Career== |
==Career== |
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He was born Richard Alexander Richardson but was known as Dick. He was {{convert|6|ft|3|in|cm}} tall and weighed about {{convert|14|st|4|lb|lb kg}}. He had a few amateur bouts before being called up for his [[national service]] in 1953. He served in the [[Royal Army Service Corps]] where he became boxing champion. However he was beaten in the inter-services boxing championships by [[Brian London]], later to become British heavyweight boxing champion, and fighting under his real name of Harper. He turned professional in 1954, being managed by Wally Lesley and trained by Johnny Lewis at a gym in [[Blackfriars, London|Blackfriars]], [[London]]. In September 1954, he lost his first professional bout on points against [[Henry Cooper]] |
He was born Richard Alexander Richardson but was known as Dick. He was {{convert|6|ft|3|in|cm}} tall and weighed about {{convert|14|st|4|lb|lb kg}}. He had a few amateur bouts before being called up for his [[national service]] in 1953. He served in the [[Royal Army Service Corps]] where he became boxing champion. However he was beaten in the inter-services boxing championships by [[Brian London]], later to become British heavyweight boxing champion, and fighting under his real name of Harper. He turned professional in 1954, being managed by Wally Lesley and trained by Johnny Lewis at a gym in [[Blackfriars, London|Blackfriars]], [[London]]. In September 1954, he lost his first professional bout on points against [[Henry Cooper]]'s twin brother, George, fighting under the ring name of Jim Cooper. He avenged this defeat in March 1955 with a technical knockout in the second round. |
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=== Rising up === |
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Richardson began to build up an impressive list of victories, many of them [[Knockout|inside the distance]]. In May 1956 he fought fellow Welsh heavyweight, [[Joe Erskine (Welsh boxer)|Joe Erskine]], in the [[Maindy Centre|Maindy Stadium]], [[Cardiff]], in front of 35,000 fans. Despite knocking Erskine down in round five, Richardson lost on points. Richardson continued to look for higher-class opponents and in October 1956, he fought the ex-world champion [[Ezzard Charles]] in a fight that became a farce when the American was disqualified in round two for persistent holding. He next fought the world-class [[Cuba]]n, [[Nino Valdes]] in December 1956, but was forced to retire in the eighth round. |
Richardson began to build up an impressive list of victories, many of them [[Knockout|inside the distance]]. In May 1956 he fought fellow Welsh heavyweight, [[Joe Erskine (Welsh boxer)|Joe Erskine]], in the [[Maindy Centre|Maindy Stadium]], [[Cardiff]], in front of 35,000 fans. Despite knocking Erskine down in round five, Richardson lost on points. Richardson continued to look for higher-class opponents and in October 1956, he fought the ex-world champion [[Ezzard Charles]] in a fight that became a farce when the American was disqualified in round two for persistent holding. He next fought the world-class [[Cuba]]n, [[Nino Valdes]] in December 1956, but was forced to retire in the eighth round. |
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Richardson's first title fight was for the Commonwealth ([[British Empire]]) Heavyweight Title against the holder, the [[Jamaica]]n, Joe Bygraves, in [[Cardiff]] in May 1957. The fight, over fifteen rounds was a draw and Bygraves retained his title. |
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In October 1957, Richardson, was easily out-pointed in a bout against the future world [[light-heavyweight]] champion, [[Willie Pastrano]]. His career appeared to be faltering when he was beaten by [[Henry Cooper]] in September 1958, on a technical knockout in the fifth round, and also lost to [[Joe Erskine (Welsh boxer)|Joe Erskine]] on points in June 1959. |
In October 1957, Richardson, was easily out-pointed in a bout against the future world [[light-heavyweight]] champion, [[Willie Pastrano]]. His career appeared to be faltering when he was beaten by [[Henry Cooper]] in September 1958, on a technical knockout in the fifth round, and also lost to [[Joe Erskine (Welsh boxer)|Joe Erskine]] on points in June 1959. |
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==European title== |
===European title=== |
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However, in March 1960, he was matched against the [[Germany|German]] boxer Hans Kalbfell, for the vacant European heavyweight title. He had previously beaten Kalbfell in four rounds, in [[Porthcawl]], and he won this bout, held in [[Dortmund]], [[Germany]], by a technical knockout in the thirteenth round. The defeat of Kalbfell provoked a riot amongst the German fans, and Richardson needed a police escort to reach his [[dressing room]]. |
However, in March 1960, he was matched against the [[Germany|German]] boxer Hans Kalbfell, for the vacant European heavyweight title. He had previously beaten Kalbfell in four rounds, in [[Porthcawl]], and he won this bout, held in [[Dortmund]], [[Germany]], by a technical knockout in the thirteenth round. The defeat of Kalbfell provoked a riot amongst the German fans, and Richardson needed a police escort to reach his [[dressing room]]. |
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Richardson defended his European title in August 1960, against [[Brian London]], in [[Porthcawl]], winning by a technical knockout in the eighth round. This result provoked a [[wikt:brawl|brawl]], when |
Richardson defended his European title in August 1960, against [[Brian London]], in [[Porthcawl]], winning by a technical knockout in the eighth round. This result provoked a [[wikt:brawl|brawl]], when London's father and brother, with Richardson's brothers coming in to defend as the Londons invaded the ring to protest that Richardson had used his head to open a cut on his opponent. |
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Richardson also won a return bout against Hans Kalbfell in Dortmund in February 1961, gaining a points decision. |
Richardson also won a return bout against Hans Kalbfell in Dortmund in February 1961, gaining a points decision. |
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Richardson won the next defence of his title, in February 1962, against the German, [[Karl Mildenberger]], by an astonishing first-round knockout. The bout was held in Dortmund. Mildenberger would fight [[Muhammad Ali]] for the world title several years later. |
Richardson won the next defence of his title, in February 1962, against the German, [[Karl Mildenberger]], by an astonishing first-round knockout. The bout was held in Dortmund. Mildenberger would fight [[Muhammad Ali]] for the world title several years later. |
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Richardson's fourth defence of his title was in June 1962, against the hard-punching [[Sweden|Swede]], [[Ingemar Johansson]]. Johansson had been world heavyweight champion after beating [[Floyd Patterson]], but had subsequently lost the title to Patterson in June 1960. The bout was held in [[Gothenburg]], [[Sweden]] in front of 50,000 spectators, and Richardson was knocked out in the eighth round. |
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Richardson's last fight was in March 1963, when Henry Cooper defended his British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles against him at [[Wembley arena|Wembley]]. Richardson was knocked out in the fifth round. |
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==Retirement and death== |
==Retirement and death== |
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Richardson retired at the relatively early age of 28, and ran a small chain of butcher's shops in [[Surrey]]. |
Richardson retired at the relatively early age of 28, and ran a small chain of butcher's shops in [[Surrey]]. |
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Dick Richardson, offered advice to [[Newport, Wales|Newport]] Heavyweight [[David Pearce (boxer)|David Pearce]]. Dick believed if David had signed with a promoter from London he would have become a World Champion. David would not leave his father due to his loyalty<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/archive/|title = Archive news from the South Wales Argus}}</ref> |
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He died from cancer on 15 July 1999, aged 65. He was married to Betty Richardson with one son, Gary and one daughter Lyn, from whom he has six grandchildren. |
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In his 47 professional bouts, he won 31 (24 on knock-outs), and lost 14 (4 on knock-outs). Two of his bouts were drawn. |
In his 47 professional bouts, he won 31 (24 on knock-outs), and lost 14 (4 on knock-outs). Two of his bouts were drawn. |
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==Boxing quotes== |
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{{Empty section|date=February 2021}} |
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==Professional boxing record== |
==Professional boxing record== |
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{{s-start}} |
{{s-start}} |
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|- |
|- |
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|align="center" colspan=8|'''31 Wins''' (24 knockouts, 6 decisions, 1 DQ), '''14 Losses''' (4 knockouts, 7 decisions, 3 DQs), '''2 Draws''' [http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=10374&cat=boxer] |
|align="center" colspan=8|'''31 Wins''' (24 knockouts, 6 decisions, 1 DQ), '''14 Losses''' (4 knockouts, 7 decisions, 3 DQs), '''2 Draws''' [https://web.archive.org/web/20121003001255/http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=10374&cat=boxer] |
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|- |
|- |
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| align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|'''Result''' |
| align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|'''Result''' |
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Line 71: | Line 78: | ||
|KO |
|KO |
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|5 |
|5 |
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|26 |
|26 March 1963 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Wembley Arena|Empire Pool]], [[Wembley, London]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Wembley Arena|Empire Pool]], [[Wembley, London]] |
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|align=left|{{small|'''[[BBBofC]]/Commonwealth Heavyweight Titles'''.}} |
|align=left|{{small|'''[[BBBofC]]/Commonwealth Heavyweight Titles'''.}} |
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Line 80: | Line 87: | ||
|KO |
|KO |
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|8 |
|8 |
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|17 |
|17 June 1962 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Nya Ullevi]], [[Gothenburg]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Nya Ullevi]], [[Gothenburg]] |
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|align=left|{{small|'''[[European Boxing Union|EBU]] Heavyweight Title'''.}} |
|align=left|{{small|'''[[European Boxing Union|EBU]] Heavyweight Title'''.}} |
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Line 89: | Line 96: | ||
|KO |
|KO |
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|1 |
|1 |
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|24 |
|24 February 1962 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Westfalenhallen]], [[Dortmund |
|align=left|{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Westfalenhallen]], [[Dortmund]] |
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|align=left|{{small|'''[[European Boxing Union|EBU]] Heavyweight Title'''. Mildenberger knocked out at 2:35 of the first round.}} |
|align=left|{{small|'''[[European Boxing Union|EBU]] Heavyweight Title'''. Mildenberger knocked out at 2:35 of the first round.}} |
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|- |
|- |
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|{{no2}}Loss |
|{{no2}}Loss |
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|{{small|37-22-8}} |
|{{small|37-22-8}} |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Howard |
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Howard King |
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|PTS |
|PTS |
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|10 |
|10 |
||
| |
|5 September 1961 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Wembley Arena|Empire Pool]], [[Wembley, London]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Wembley Arena|Empire Pool]], [[Wembley, London]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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Line 107: | Line 114: | ||
|PTS |
|PTS |
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|15 |
|15 |
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|18 |
|18 February 1961 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Westfalenhallen]], [[Dortmund |
|align=left|{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Westfalenhallen]], [[Dortmund]] |
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|align=left|{{small|'''[[European Boxing Union|EBU]] Heavyweight Title'''.}} |
|align=left|{{small|'''[[European Boxing Union|EBU]] Heavyweight Title'''.}} |
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|- |
|- |
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Line 116: | Line 123: | ||
|TKO |
|TKO |
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|8 |
|8 |
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|29 |
|29 August 1960 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Coney Beach Pleasure Park]], [[Porthcawl]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Coney Beach Pleasure Park]], [[Porthcawl]] |
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|align=left|{{small|'''[[European Boxing Union|EBU]] Heavyweight Title'''.}} |
|align=left|{{small|'''[[European Boxing Union|EBU]] Heavyweight Title'''.}} |
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Line 125: | Line 132: | ||
|DQ |
|DQ |
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|8 |
|8 |
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|27 |
|27 July 1960 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Coney Beach Pleasure Park]], [[Porthcawl]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Coney Beach Pleasure Park]], [[Porthcawl]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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Line 134: | Line 141: | ||
|TKO |
|TKO |
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|13 |
|13 |
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|27 |
|27 March 1960 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Westfalenhallen]], [[Dortmund |
|align=left|{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Westfalenhallen]], [[Dortmund]] |
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|align=left|{{small|'''[[European Boxing Union|EBU]] Heavyweight Title'''.}} |
|align=left|{{small|'''[[European Boxing Union|EBU]] Heavyweight Title'''.}} |
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|- |
|- |
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Line 143: | Line 150: | ||
|PTS |
|PTS |
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|10 |
|10 |
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| |
|1 December 1959 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Wembley Arena|Empire Pool]], [[Wembley, London]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Wembley Arena|Empire Pool]], [[Wembley, London]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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Line 152: | Line 159: | ||
|PTS |
|PTS |
||
|10 |
|10 |
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|24 |
|24 June 1959 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Coney Beach Pleasure Park]], [[Porthcawl]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Coney Beach Pleasure Park]], [[Porthcawl]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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Line 161: | Line 168: | ||
|PTS |
|PTS |
||
|10 |
|10 |
||
|10 |
|10 March 1959 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Wembley Arena|Empire Pool]], [[Wembley, London]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Wembley Arena|Empire Pool]], [[Wembley, London]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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Line 170: | Line 177: | ||
|PTS |
|PTS |
||
|10 |
|10 |
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|28 |
|28 October 1958 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Harringay Arena]], [[Harringay|Harringay, London]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Harringay Arena]], [[Harringay|Harringay, London]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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Line 179: | Line 186: | ||
|TKO |
|TKO |
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|5 |
|5 |
||
| |
|3 September 1958 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Coney Beach Pleasure Park]], [[Porthcawl]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Coney Beach Pleasure Park]], [[Porthcawl]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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Line 185: | Line 192: | ||
|{{yes2}}Win |
|{{yes2}}Win |
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|{{small|50-12-1}} |
|{{small|50-12-1}} |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Bob Baker (boxer)|Bob |
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Bob Baker (boxer)|Bob Baker]] |
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|PTS |
|PTS |
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|10 |
|10 |
||
| |
|9 July 1958 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Coney Beach Pleasure Park]], [[Porthcawl]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Coney Beach Pleasure Park]], [[Porthcawl]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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Line 197: | Line 204: | ||
|KO |
|KO |
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|4 |
|4 |
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|17 |
|17 May 1958 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Pavilion|Newtown Pavilion]], [[Newtown, Powys]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Pavilion|Newtown Pavilion]], [[Newtown, Powys]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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Line 206: | Line 213: | ||
|DQ |
|DQ |
||
|4 |
|4 |
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|25 |
|25 March 1958 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Empress Hall, Earl's Court]], [[Kensington, London]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Empress Hall, Earl's Court]], [[Kensington, London]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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Line 215: | Line 222: | ||
|TKO |
|TKO |
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|6 |
|6 |
||
| |
|3 March 1958 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Market hall|Carmarthen Market Hall]], [[Carmarthen]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Market hall|Carmarthen Market Hall]], [[Carmarthen]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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Line 221: | Line 228: | ||
|{{no2}}Loss |
|{{no2}}Loss |
||
|{{small|49-11-1}} |
|{{small|49-11-1}} |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Bob Baker (boxer)|Bob |
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Bob Baker (boxer)|Bob Baker]] |
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|PTS |
|PTS |
||
|10 |
|10 |
||
|10 |
|10 December 1957 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Harringay Arena]], [[Harringay|Harringay, London]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Harringay Arena]], [[Harringay|Harringay, London]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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Line 233: | Line 240: | ||
|PTS |
|PTS |
||
|10 |
|10 |
||
|22 |
|22 October 1957 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Harringay Arena]], [[Harringay|Harringay, London]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Harringay Arena]], [[Harringay|Harringay, London]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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Line 242: | Line 249: | ||
|TKO |
|TKO |
||
|4 |
|4 |
||
|31 |
|31 July 1957 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Coney Beach Pleasure Park]], [[Porthcawl]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Coney Beach Pleasure Park]], [[Porthcawl]] |
||
|align=left| |
|align=left| |
||
Line 251: | Line 258: | ||
|PTS |
|PTS |
||
|15 |
|15 |
||
|27 |
|27 May 1957 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Maindy Stadium]], [[Cardiff]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Maindy Stadium]], [[Cardiff]] |
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|align=left|{{small|'''Commonwealth Heavyweight Title'''.}} |
|align=left|{{small|'''Commonwealth Heavyweight Title'''.}} |
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Line 260: | Line 267: | ||
|TKO |
|TKO |
||
|5 |
|5 |
||
| |
|1 April 1957 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Nottingham Ice Stadium]], [[Nottingham, Nottinghamshire]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Nottingham Ice Stadium]], [[Nottingham, Nottinghamshire]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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Line 269: | Line 276: | ||
|TKO |
|TKO |
||
|8 |
|8 |
||
| |
|4 December 1956 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Harringay Arena]], [[Harringay|Harringay, London]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Harringay Arena]], [[Harringay|Harringay, London]] |
||
|align=left| |
|align=left| |
||
Line 278: | Line 285: | ||
|DQ |
|DQ |
||
|2 |
|2 |
||
| |
|2 October 1956 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Harringay Arena]], [[Harringay|Harringay, London]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Harringay Arena]], [[Harringay|Harringay, London]] |
||
|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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Line 287: | Line 294: | ||
|TKO |
|TKO |
||
|1 |
|1 |
||
|16 |
|16 July 1956 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Maindy Stadium]], [[Cardiff]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Maindy Stadium]], [[Cardiff]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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Line 296: | Line 303: | ||
|TKO |
|TKO |
||
|3 |
|3 |
||
| |
|7 July 1956 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Park Avenue (Aberystwyth)|Park Avenue Field]], [[Aberystwyth]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Park Avenue (Aberystwyth)|Park Avenue Field]], [[Aberystwyth]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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Line 305: | Line 312: | ||
|PTS |
|PTS |
||
|10 |
|10 |
||
| |
|7 May 1956 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Maindy Stadium]], [[Cardiff]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Maindy Stadium]], [[Cardiff]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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Line 314: | Line 321: | ||
|RTD |
|RTD |
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|5 |
|5 |
||
|27 |
|27 February 1956 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Cardiff]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Cardiff]] |
||
|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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Line 323: | Line 330: | ||
|TKO |
|TKO |
||
|6 |
|6 |
||
|17 |
|17 January 1956 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Streatham Ice Arena]], [[Streatham, London, England]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Streatham Ice Arena]], [[Streatham, London, England]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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Line 332: | Line 339: | ||
|KO |
|KO |
||
|2 |
|2 |
||
| |
|6 December 1955 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Harringay Arena]], [[Harringay|Harringay, London]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Harringay Arena]], [[Harringay|Harringay, London]] |
||
|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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Line 341: | Line 348: | ||
|TKO |
|TKO |
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|1 |
|1 |
||
| |
|7 November 1955 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Market hall|Abergavenny Market Hall]], [[Abergavenny]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Market hall|Abergavenny Market Hall]], [[Abergavenny]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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Line 350: | Line 357: | ||
|KO |
|KO |
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|4 |
|4 |
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|18 |
|18 October 1955 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Harringay Arena]], [[Harringay|Harringay, London]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Harringay Arena]], [[Harringay|Harringay, London]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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Line 359: | Line 366: | ||
|KO |
|KO |
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|2 |
|2 |
||
|26 |
|26 September 1955 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Drill hall|Carmarthen Drill Hall]], [[Carmarthen]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Drill hall|Carmarthen Drill Hall]], [[Carmarthen]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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|TKO |
|TKO |
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|3 |
|3 |
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|13 |
|13 September 1955 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[White City Stadium]], [[White City, London]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[White City Stadium]], [[White City, London]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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|TKO |
|TKO |
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|3 |
|3 |
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|29 |
|29 August 1955 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Maindy Stadium]], [[Cardiff]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Maindy Stadium]], [[Cardiff]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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|PTS |
|PTS |
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|8 |
|8 |
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|18 |
|18 July 1955 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Maindy Stadium]], [[Cardiff]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Maindy Stadium]], [[Cardiff]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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|DQ |
|DQ |
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|5 |
|5 |
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|13 |
|13 June 1955 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Maindy Stadium]], [[Cardiff]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Maindy Stadium]], [[Cardiff]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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|KO |
|KO |
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|2 |
|2 |
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|26 |
|26 April 1955 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Harringay Arena]], [[Harringay|Harringay, London]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Harringay Arena]], [[Harringay|Harringay, London]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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|TKO |
|TKO |
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|3 |
|3 |
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|18 |
|18 April 1955 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Maindy Stadium]], [[Cardiff]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Maindy Stadium]], [[Cardiff]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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|{{yes2}}Win |
|{{yes2}}Win |
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|{{small|2-1}} |
|{{small|2-1}} |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} Jim |
|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} Jim Cooper |
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|TKO |
|TKO |
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|2 |
|2 |
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|15 |
|15 March 1955 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Streatham Ice Arena]], [[Streatham, London, England]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Streatham Ice Arena]], [[Streatham, London, England]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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|TKO |
|TKO |
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|3 |
|3 |
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|28 |
|28 February 1955 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Sophia Gardens]], [[Cardiff]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Sophia Gardens]], [[Cardiff]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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|TKO |
|TKO |
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|4 |
|4 |
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|24 |
|24 January 1955 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Public baths|Manor Place Baths]], [[Walworth, London]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Public baths|Manor Place Baths]], [[Walworth, London]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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|KO |
|KO |
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|1 |
|1 |
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|10 |
|10 January 1955 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Maindy Stadium]], [[Cardiff]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Maindy Stadium]], [[Cardiff]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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|PTS |
|PTS |
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|6 |
|6 |
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|29 |
|29 November 1954 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Sophia Gardens]], [[Cardiff]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Sophia Gardens]], [[Cardiff]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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|PTS |
|PTS |
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|6 |
|6 |
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|12 |
|12 October 1954 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Royal Albert Hall]], [[Kensington, London]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Royal Albert Hall]], [[Kensington, London]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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|KO |
|KO |
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|1 |
|1 |
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| |
|4 October 1954 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Maindy Stadium]], [[Cardiff]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Maindy Stadium]], [[Cardiff]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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|- |
|- |
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|{{yes2}} |
|{{yes2}}Loss |
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|{{small|--}} |
|{{small|--}} |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} Jim |
|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} Jim Cooper |
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|PTS |
|PTS |
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|6 |
|6 |
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|14 |
|14 September 1954 |
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|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Harringay Arena]], [[Harringay|Harringay, London]] |
|align=left|{{flagicon|UK}} [[Harringay Arena]], [[Harringay|Harringay, London]] |
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|align=left| |
|align=left| |
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==Sources & external links== |
==Sources & external links== |
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* Obituary: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19990716/ai_n14258636 |
* Obituary: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19990716/ai_n14258636 |
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* [ |
* [https://www.theguardian.com/news/1999/jul/16/guardianobituaries.johnrawling Obit from the Guardian] |
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* {{Boxrec|id=10374|name=Dick Richardson}} |
* {{Boxrec|id=10374|name=Dick Richardson}} |
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==References== |
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{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. --> |
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{{Reflist}} |
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| NAME = Richardson, Dick |
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| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = |
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| SHORT DESCRIPTION = British boxer |
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| DATE OF BIRTH = 1 June 1934 |
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| PLACE OF BIRTH = Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales |
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| DATE OF DEATH = 15 July 1999 |
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| PLACE OF DEATH = |
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}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Richardson, Dick}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Richardson, Dick}} |
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[[Category:1934 births]] |
[[Category:1934 births]] |
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[[Category:1999 deaths]] |
[[Category:1999 deaths]] |
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[[Category:Welsh boxers]] |
[[Category:Welsh male boxers]] |
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[[Category:Heavyweight boxers]] |
[[Category:Heavyweight boxers]] |
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[[Category:Royal Army Service Corps soldiers]] |
[[Category:Royal Army Service Corps soldiers]] |
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[[Category:Sportspeople from Newport, Wales]] |
[[Category:Sportspeople from Newport, Wales]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in England]] |
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[[Category:European Boxing Union champions]] |
[[Category:European Boxing Union champions]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:20th-century British Army personnel]] |
Latest revision as of 12:21, 5 July 2023
Dick Richardson | |
---|---|
Born | Richard Alexander Richardson 1 June 1934 |
Died | 15 July 1999 (aged 65) |
Nationality | Welsh |
Other names | The Maesglas Marciano |
Statistics | |
Weight(s) | Heavyweight |
Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 47 |
Wins | 31 |
Wins by KO | 24 |
Losses | 14 |
Draws | 2 |
Richard Alexander Richardson (1 June 1934 – 15 July 1999) was a heavyweight boxer from the Maesglas area of Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales. He held the European heavyweight title from March 1960 to June 1962. In all, he won 31 of his 47 professional bouts, losing 14, with two drawn. He was one of a quartet of British heavyweights in the 1950s and early 1960s, along with Henry Cooper, Joe Erskine and Brian London, who held out the possibility of a challenging for a heavyweight world champion.
Richardson defeated a number of top heavyweights in his career, including; Karl Mildenberger, Bob Baker, Brian London and Hans Kalbfell.
Career
[edit]He was born Richard Alexander Richardson but was known as Dick. He was 6 feet 3 inches (191 cm) tall and weighed about 14 stone 4 pounds (200 lb; 91 kg). He had a few amateur bouts before being called up for his national service in 1953. He served in the Royal Army Service Corps where he became boxing champion. However he was beaten in the inter-services boxing championships by Brian London, later to become British heavyweight boxing champion, and fighting under his real name of Harper. He turned professional in 1954, being managed by Wally Lesley and trained by Johnny Lewis at a gym in Blackfriars, London. In September 1954, he lost his first professional bout on points against Henry Cooper's twin brother, George, fighting under the ring name of Jim Cooper. He avenged this defeat in March 1955 with a technical knockout in the second round.
Rising up
[edit]Richardson began to build up an impressive list of victories, many of them inside the distance. In May 1956 he fought fellow Welsh heavyweight, Joe Erskine, in the Maindy Stadium, Cardiff, in front of 35,000 fans. Despite knocking Erskine down in round five, Richardson lost on points. Richardson continued to look for higher-class opponents and in October 1956, he fought the ex-world champion Ezzard Charles in a fight that became a farce when the American was disqualified in round two for persistent holding. He next fought the world-class Cuban, Nino Valdes in December 1956, but was forced to retire in the eighth round.
Richardson's first title fight was for the Commonwealth (British Empire) Heavyweight Title against the holder, the Jamaican, Joe Bygraves, in Cardiff in May 1957. The fight, over fifteen rounds was a draw and Bygraves retained his title.
In October 1957, Richardson, was easily out-pointed in a bout against the future world light-heavyweight champion, Willie Pastrano. His career appeared to be faltering when he was beaten by Henry Cooper in September 1958, on a technical knockout in the fifth round, and also lost to Joe Erskine on points in June 1959.
European title
[edit]However, in March 1960, he was matched against the German boxer Hans Kalbfell, for the vacant European heavyweight title. He had previously beaten Kalbfell in four rounds, in Porthcawl, and he won this bout, held in Dortmund, Germany, by a technical knockout in the thirteenth round. The defeat of Kalbfell provoked a riot amongst the German fans, and Richardson needed a police escort to reach his dressing room.
Richardson defended his European title in August 1960, against Brian London, in Porthcawl, winning by a technical knockout in the eighth round. This result provoked a brawl, when London's father and brother, with Richardson's brothers coming in to defend as the Londons invaded the ring to protest that Richardson had used his head to open a cut on his opponent.
Richardson also won a return bout against Hans Kalbfell in Dortmund in February 1961, gaining a points decision.
Richardson won the next defence of his title, in February 1962, against the German, Karl Mildenberger, by an astonishing first-round knockout. The bout was held in Dortmund. Mildenberger would fight Muhammad Ali for the world title several years later.
Richardson's fourth defence of his title was in June 1962, against the hard-punching Swede, Ingemar Johansson. Johansson had been world heavyweight champion after beating Floyd Patterson, but had subsequently lost the title to Patterson in June 1960. The bout was held in Gothenburg, Sweden in front of 50,000 spectators, and Richardson was knocked out in the eighth round.
Richardson's last fight was in March 1963, when Henry Cooper defended his British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles against him at Wembley. Richardson was knocked out in the fifth round.
Retirement and death
[edit]Richardson retired at the relatively early age of 28, and ran a small chain of butcher's shops in Surrey. Dick Richardson, offered advice to Newport Heavyweight David Pearce. Dick believed if David had signed with a promoter from London he would have become a World Champion. David would not leave his father due to his loyalty[1] He died from cancer on 15 July 1999, aged 65. He was married to Betty Richardson with one son, Gary and one daughter Lyn, from whom he has six grandchildren.
In his 47 professional bouts, he won 31 (24 on knock-outs), and lost 14 (4 on knock-outs). Two of his bouts were drawn.
Boxing quotes
[edit]This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (February 2021) |
Professional boxing record
[edit]Sources & external links
[edit]- Obituary: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19990716/ai_n14258636
- Obit from the Guardian
- Boxing record for Dick Richardson from BoxRec (registration required)