Terry Downes

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Script error: No such module "Template wrapper".Script error: No such module "Check for clobbered parameters".

Terry Downes, BEM (9 May 1936 – 6 October 2017) was a British middleweight boxer,[1] occasional film actor, and businessman. He was nicknamed the "Paddington Express" for his aggressive fighting style.[2]

At the time of his death, Downes was Britain's oldest surviving former world champion. He held the world middleweight title (the version recognised by Europe, New York, and Massachusetts) for ten months from 1961-62.[3]

Early life

Terry Downes was born in Paddington, London. His father Richard worked as a mechanic, and his mother Hilda in a department store.[4] Downes boxed as a junior for the Fisher ABC.[5]

He moved with his parents to the United States in 1952, while still a teenager, to live with his trapeze artist sister Sylvia, who had lost an arm in a traffic accident, going on to serve in the US Marine Corps from 1954–56, being recruited after boxing against them for the YMCA.[5][6] In the Marines he won several amateur trophies, including the all-services championship and the Amateur Golden Gloves.[5]

He missed out on selection for the US Olympic team, being ruled ineligible on residence grounds, and after his term of service, he returned to London and turned professional.[5][2][7]

Professional boxing career

Managed by Sam Burns, Downes won his first two pro fights before a defeat to future world champion Dick Tiger.[5] After building up a record of 16 wins and 3 defeats, Downes won the British middleweight title, vacated by Pat McAteer's retirement, by beating Phil Edwards on 30 September 1958 at the Harringay Arena, London. In 1959, Downes lost and won back the title from John "Cowboy" McCormack. On 5 July 1960, Downes successfully defended the title against Edwards again.

Downes lost his first World Title shot to Paul Pender in Boston in January 1961.[5] The following July, however, Downes fought Pender again, this time in London, and defeated the American in front of a raucous Wembley crowd, with Pender retiring at the end of the ninth round with cuts over both eyes.[5][8][9] Downes was recognised as world champion by The Ring magazine in August 1961,[10] and was named Sports Writers' Association Sportsman of the Year later that year.[11] Pender won the title back the following year, defeating Downes in Boston once more, this time on points.[5]

Downes responded to the loss of his title by winning his next seven bouts, including a win over Sugar Ray Robinson in September 1962.[5] Robinson was, however, 41 at the time, and when asked after the fight how it felt to beat a boxer of such esteem, Downes famously replied, "I didn't beat Sugar Ray, I beat his ghost."[4] Downes moved up to light heavyweight in 1963,[12] winning his first three fights at the weight before facing Willie Pastrano for the world title in Manchester on 30 November 1964. Downes was knocked down twice in the 11th round, while reportedly well ahead on points, and Pastrano retained his title when referee Andrew Smyth controversially waved it off – it was to be Downes' last fight.[5][13]

Downes was famous for a number of quips. After a particularly brutal fight early in his career against Dick Tiger, Downes was asked who he wanted to fight next. He replied, "The bastard who made this match", in reference to Mickey Duff.[7]

Downes fought six world champions and beat three: Robinson, Pender and Joey Giardello. His record was: 44 fights, 35 wins (28 KOs), 9 losses.

Acting career

Post-boxing, Downes acted occasionally between 1965 and 1990, usually appearing as a thug, villain or bodyguard. One of his more prominent roles was in Roman Polanski's 1967 film The Fearless Vampire Killers, in which he played "Koukol", a hunchbacked servant.[4][14] His other film credits included appearances in A Study in Terror (1965), Five Ashore in Singapore (1967), The Golden Lady (1979), If You Go Down in the Woods Today (1981), and the Derek Jarman film Caravaggio (1986).[4][14]

Films

Other business interests

After his retirement, Downes owned a nightclub.[4] and worked as a boxing manager, working with British title challenger Colin Lake in the late 1960s.[15]

Personal life

Downes and his wife Barbara (nee Clarke) were married from 1958[16] until his death in 2017. They had four children and eight grandchildren, one of whom includes prominent football writer and comedian James McNicholas.[5] They lived for many years in a large detached house in Milespit Hill, Mill Hill, London NW7.

Downes was awarded the British Empire Medal in the 2012 Birthday Honours, in recognition of his sporting achievements and charity work.[4] He died on 6 October 2017, aged 81.[5][17]

Professional boxing record

Template:BoxingRecordSummary

No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
44 Loss 35–9 Willie Pastrano TKO 11 (15) Nov 30, 1964 King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". For WBA, WBC, and The Ring light heavyweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
43 Win 35–8 Ed Zaremba PTS 10 May 28, 1964 Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
42 Win 34–8 Mike Pusateri TKO 5 (10) Nov 25, 1963 King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
41 Win 33–8 Rudolf Nehring KO 3 (10) Oct 8, 1963 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
40 Win 32–8 Jimmy Beecham TKO 9 (10) Mar 5, 1963 Seymour Hall, Marylebone, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
39 Win 31–8 Phil Moyer TKO 9 (10) Nov 13, 1963 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
38 Win 30–8 Sugar Ray Robinson PTS 10 Sep 25, 1962 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
37 Win 29–8 Don Fullmer PTS 10 May 22, 1962 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
36 Loss 28–8 Paul Pender UD 15 Apr 7, 1962 Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Lost NYSAC and The Ring middleweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
35 Win 28–7 Paul Pender RTD 9 (15) Jul 11, 1961 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Won NYSAC and The Ring middleweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
34 Win 27–7 Tony Montano RTD 5 (10) May 2, 1961 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
33 Win 26–7 Willie Greene TKO 3 (10) Mar 7, 1961 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
32 Loss 25–7 Paul Pender TKO 7 (15) Jan 14, 1961 Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". For NYSAC and The Ring middleweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
31 Win 25–6 Joey Giardello PTS 10 Oct 11, 1960 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
30 Win 24–6 Phil Edwards RTD 12 (15) Jul 5, 1960 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained BBBofC British and Commonwealth middleweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
29 Win 23–6 Richard Bouchez KO 2 (10) Jun 9, 1960 King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
28 Win 22–6 Orlando DePietro KO 4 (10) Mar 24, 1960 The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
27 Win 21–6 Carlos Vanneste TKO 4 (10) Mar 8, 1960 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
26 Win 20–6 John McCormack TKO 8 (15) Nov 3, 1959 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Won BBBofC British and Commonwealth middleweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
25 Loss 19–6 John McCormack DQ 8 (15) Sep 15, 1959 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Lost BBBofC British middleweight title;
For vacant Commonwealth middleweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
24 Win 19–5 Andre Davier KO 7 (10) Jul 7, 1959 Streatham Ice Rink, Streatham, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
23 Loss 18–5 Michel Diouf TKO 5 (10) Feb 24, 1959 Wembley Stadium, Wembley, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
22 Loss 18–4 Ellsworth Webb TKO 8 (10) Dec 9, 1958 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
21 Win 18–3 Mohammed Ben Taibi KO 3 (10) Nov 4, 1958 Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
20 Win 17–3 Phil Edwards TKO 13 (15) Sep 30, 1958 Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Won vacant BBBofC British middleweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
19 Win 16–3 Constant Alcantara TKO 3 (10) Jul 15, 1958 Streatham Ice Rink, Streatham, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
18 Win 15–3 Pat McAteer PTS 8 Jun 3, 1958 White City Stadium, White City, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
17 Win 14–3 Tuzo Portuguez PTS 8 Apr 15, 1958 Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
16 Win 13–3 Salah Ben Fahrat TKO 4 (8) Mar 17, 1958 Leyton Baths, Leyton, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
15 Win 12–3 Dennis Booty TKO 3 (8) Feb 25, 1958 Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
14 Loss 11–3 Freddie Cross TKO 6 (10) Jan 28, 1958 Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
13 Win 11–2 Serge Leveque TKO 4 (8) Jan 7, 1958 Town Hall, Shoreditch, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
12 Win 10–2 Hamouda Bouraoui RTD 4 (8) Dec 19, 1957 Town Hall, Shoreditch, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
11 Win 9–2 George Lavery KO 5 (8) Dec 10, 1957 Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
10 Loss 8–2 Les Allen PTS 8 Nov 19, 1957 Earls Court Empress Hall, Kensington, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
9 Win 8–1 Eddie Phillips TKO 3 (8) Oct 28, 1957 Leyton Baths, Leyton, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
8 Win 7–1 Derek Liversidge TKO 2 (8) Oct 1, 1957 Shoreditch Town Hall, Shoreditch, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
7 Win 6–1 Lew Lazar PTS 8 Sep 17, 1957 Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
6 Win 5–1 John Woolard TKO 7 (8) Jun 25, 1957 Town Hall, Shoreditch, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
5 Win 4–1 Sammy Hamilton TKO 3 (8) Jun 18, 1957 Streatham Ice Rink, Streatham, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
4 Win 3–1 Alan Dean TKO 4 (8) Jun 4, 1957 Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
3 Loss 2–1 Dick Tiger TKO 5 (8) May 14, 1957 Town Hall, Shoreditch, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2 Win 2–0 Jimmy Lynas TKO 3 (6) Apr 30, 1957 Manor Place Baths, Walworth, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1 Win 1–0 Peter Longo KO 1 (6) Apr 9, 1957 Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

See also

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ a b c d e f Maume, Chris (2017) "Terry Downes: The ‘whirlwind’ boxer who was king for a day and retired aged 28", The Independent, 13 October 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2017
  5. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l Rawling, John (2017) "Terry Downed Obituary", The Guardian, 8 October 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2017
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ "Sugar Ray to Defend Title", The Age, 23 December 1958.
  17. ↑ Sandomir, Richard (2017) "Terry Downes Dies at 81; Middleweight Champion Was Britain’s Pride", The New York Times, 13 October 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2017

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

External links

Achievements
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/check World Middleweight Champion
11 July 1961 – 7 April 1962 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
Sporting positions

Template:S-before

Oldest Living British World Champion
23 July 1991 – 6 October 2017 Template:S-ttl/check

Template:S-after Template:S-before

Oldest Living Middleweight Champion
19 September 2017 – 6 October 2017 Template:S-ttl/check

Template:S-after

Template:Authority control

Retrieved from "http://debianws.lexgopc.com/wiki143/index.php?title=Terry_Downes&oldid=3888377"