Willie Toweel

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Medal record
Men's Boxing

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Olympic Games

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Willie Michael "Willie" Toweel (6 April 1934 – 25 December 2017) was a boxer from South Africa, who won the bronze medal in the flyweight division (– 51 kg) at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland.[1]

Personal life

Willie was born in Benoni, and was the brother of Alan, Jimmy, Fraser, Vic, Maurice, Maureen Toweel and Antoinette Moussallem; and the uncle of Paul Toweel.

Amateur career

As an amateur, Willie won Junior and Senior South African boxing titles, and won the bronze medal at the 1952 Olympic Games. He lost to Nate Brooks of the United States, the eventual gold medalist.

1952 Olympic results

Below are the results of Willie Toweel, a South African boxer who competed in the flyweight division at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.

  • Round of 32: defeated Kornel Molnar (Hungary) by decision, 3–0.
  • Round of 16: defeated Al Asuncion (Philippines) by decision, 2-1
  • Quarterfinal: defeated Han Soo-An (South Korea) by decision, 3–0.
  • Semifinal: lost to Nate Brooks (United States) by decision, 0–3. (was awarded a bronze medal)

Professional career

He began his professional career in 1953. After notching up a few wins, Willie fought Matthew Raaff for the vacant South African Bantamweight title at Feather Market Hall in Port Elizabeth, and knocked Raaff out in the seventh round. On 22 May 1954, Toweel outpointed Tony Lombard over 12 rounds to win the vacant South African Featherweight Title.

Winning his next ten fights, Willie challenged Robert Cohen for the World Bantamweight title. They fought on 3 September 1955, at Rand Stadium in Johannesburg. Toweel was knocked down three times in the second round, twice for three counts, and once for no count. Toweel fought back courageously, and was also knocked down in the tenth round. The hard-fought world title bout resulted in a 15-round draw, with Cohen retaining his world title.

Moving up a division to Lightweight, Toweel faced rival Johnny 'Smiler' Van Rensburg for the British Empire and South African Lightweight Titles. In their first encounter, Toweel lost, retiring in the ninth round with hand and ankle injuries. Over the span of their careers, they would fight each other another five times, Willie winning the next three bouts with Van Rensburg, and their final bout wit each other ending in a draw over 15 rounds.

Willie was affected by tragedy when he fought 21-year-old South African Hubert Essakow on 19 March 1956, in defense of his South African Featherweight Title. Essakow sustained fatal brain injuries in the fight, and died 52 hours later after losing to Toweel by 11th-round knockout. Willie, being a religious man, seriously considered retirement from boxing. He often held back his attack on many of his future opponents, in fear he might hurt them. Late in his career, in the same venue where he fought Essakow, he was disqualified in a bout against Jannie Botes for a low blow. Afterwards, he said during the fight his memories of Essakow came flooding back, and he just wanted to find an excuse to get out of the ring.

With his management team behind him, Toweel continued to box, and racked up another seven wins, with a draw against Van Rensburg. Willie then fought in England, and defeated Dave Charnley on points over 15 rounds to defend his British Empire Lightweight Title. Toweel won his next eight fights before losing to Frenchman Guy Gracia by TKO in the seventh round on 23 April 1958, in Kelvin Hall, Glasgow. Willie had unfortunately been suffering with bad sinusitis before the fight. Willie got revenge 10 months later, defeating Gracia on points in Cape Town, South Africa.

After defeating Van Rensburg for the final time in Salisbury, Toweel faced Dave Charnley again. Struggling to the Lightweight weight limit, Toweel lost his British Empire Lightweight title by getting knocked out in the tenth round.

Moving up to welterweight, Toweel fought Len Matthews at Madison Square Garden on 20 November 1959. He was the first South African to top the bill there. Despite being knocked down twice in the eighth round, Willie fought brilliantly and won on points. Willie was beaten on points for the first time, losing a 10-round decision to Wally Swift in Nottingham on 7 December 1959.

Following the Swift fight, Willie gained two more wins in South Africa, over Julio Silvo and Fred Tiedt before beating Benny Niewenhuizen for the vacant South African Welterweight title, to win his fourth national title. On 17 September 1960, Toweel was disqualified against Jannie Botes, and lost his title. In his last professional ring appearance, Toweel fought future World Welterweight and Middleweight champion Emile Griffith at Madison Square Garden on 22 October 1960. Willie started well in the bout, but was stopped in the eighth round. This was his last fight. Toweel retired from boxing at age 26, with a career record of 46 wins, six losses and two draws, with 23 knockouts.

45 Wins (23 knockouts, 22 decisions), 6 Losses (3 knockouts, 3 decision), 2 Draws[2]
Result Record Opponent Type Rounds Date Location Notes
Lost 45–6 Template:Flagicon Emile Griffith TKO 10 22 October September 1960 Template:FlagiconMadison Square Garden, New York, USAScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Lost 45–5 Template:Flagicon Jannie Botes DQ 12 17 September 1960 Template:FlagiconCity Hall, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 45–3 Template:Flagicon Benny Nieuwenhuizen PTS 12 27 August 1960 Template:FlagiconMarket Hall, Welkom, Free State, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 44–3 Template:Flagicon Fred Tiedt PTS 10 16 July 1960 Template:FlagiconIcedrome, Durban, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 43–3 Template:Flagicon Julio Silvo KO 10 16 April 1960 Template:FlagiconIcedrome, Durban, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Lost 42–4 Template:Flagicon Wally Swift PTS 10 7 December 1959 Template:FlagiconIce Rink, Nottingham, United KingdomScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 42–3 Template:Flagicon Len Matthews SD 10 20 November 1959 Template:FlagiconMadison Square Garden, New York, USAScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 41–3 Template:Flagicon Paddy Graham TKO 10 3 October 1959 Template:FlagiconEmpire Pool, Wembley, United KingdomScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Lost 40–3 Template:Flagicon Dave Charnley KO 15 12 May 1959 Template:FlagiconEmpire Pool, Wembley, United KingdomScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 40–2 Template:Flagicon Johnny van Rensburg PTS 10 21 March 1959 Template:FlagiconRaylton Sports Club, Salisbury, RhodesiaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 39–2 Template:Flagicon Guy Gracia KO 10 24 February 1959 Template:FlagiconGreen Point Stadium, Cape Town, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 38–2 Template:FlagiconTony Garcia KO 10 19 November 1958 Template:FlagiconGoodwood Hall, Cape Town, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Lost 37–2 Template:Flagicon Guy Gracia TKO 10 23 April 1958 Template:FlagiconKelvin Hall, Glasgow, United KingdomScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 37–1 Template:Flagicon Fernand Nollet PTS 10 25 March 1958 Template:FlagiconEarls Court Empress Hall, Kensington, United KingdomScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 36–1 Template:Flagicon Orlando Zulueta PTS 10 1 January 1958 Template:FlagiconEarls Court Empress Hall, Kensington, United KingdomScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 35–1 Template:Flagicon Al Nevarez PTS 10 30 November 1957 Template:Flagicon Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 34–1 Template:Flagicon Jose Hernandez TKO 10 5 November 1957 Template:FlagiconRoyal Albert Hall, Kensington, United KingdomScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 33–1 Template:Flagicon Jimmy Carter PTS 10 8 October 1957 Template:FlagiconRoyal Albert Hall, Kensington, United KingdomScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 32–1 Template:Flagicon Boby Ros PTS 10 6 September 1957 Template:FlagiconKing's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, United KingdomScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 31–1 Template:Flagicon Billy Spider Kelly PTS 10 15 August 1957 Template:FlagiconKelvin Hall, Glasgow, United KingdomScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 30–1 Template:Flagicon Dave Charnley PTS 15 11 May 1957 Template:FlagiconEarls Court Empress Hall, Kensington, United KingdomScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 29–1 Template:Flagicon Franco Rosini PTS 10 11 May 1957 Template:FlagiconRoan Mine Club, Luanshya, ZambiaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 28–1 Template:Flagicon Johnny van Rensburg RTD 15 14 February 1957 Template:Flagicon Green Point Track, Cape Town, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 27–1 Template:Flagicon Richie Howard PTS 10 1 December 1956 Template:Flagicon Olympia Ice Rink, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 26–1 Template:Flagicon Richie Howard PTS 15 10 November 1956 Template:Flagicon Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 25–1 Template:Flagicon Georges DeVos PTS 10 6 October 1956 Template:Flagicon Olympia Ice Rink, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Draw 24–1 Template:Flagicon Johnny van Rensburg PTS 15 11 August 1956 Template:Flagicon Olympia Ice Rink, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 24–1 Template:Flagicon Johnny van Rensburg PTS 15 16 June 1956 Template:Flagicon Olympia Ice Rink, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 23–1 Template:Flagicon Tienie Pretorius TKO 10 19 March 1956 Template:Flagicon Roan Mine Club, Luanshya, ZambiaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 22–1 Template:Flagicon Hubert Essakow KO 12 19 March 1956 Template:Flagicon City Hall, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Lost 21–1 Template:Flagicon Johnny van Rensburg RTD 15 10 December 1955 Template:Flagicon Olympia Ice Rink, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 21–0 Template:Flagicon Albert Mueller KO 10 19 November 1955 Template:Flagicon Davies Stadium, Port Elizabeth, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Draw 20–0 Template:Flagicon Robert Cohen PTS 15 3 September 1955 Template:Flagicon Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 20–0 Template:Flagicon Tino Cardinale TKO 10 23 May 1955 Template:Flagicon City Hall, Durban, Natal, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 19–0 Template:Flagicon Henry Bruyns KO 12 23 April 1955 Template:Flagicon Kroonstad, Free State, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 18–0 Template:Flagicon Willie van der Merwe KO 8 9 April 1955 Template:Flagicon City Hall, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 17–0 Template:Flagicon Jean Bichot PTS 10 14 March 1955 Template:Flagicon Wembley Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 16–0 Template:Flagicon Louis Klopper RTD 12 7 February 1955 Template:Flagicon City Hall, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 15–0 Template:Flagicon Jerry Jooste TKO 8 13 December 1954 Template:Flagicon Raylton Sports Club, Salisbury, RhodesiaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 14–0 Template:Flagicon Andre Valignat PTS 10 6 November 1954 Template:Flagicon Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 13–0 Template:Flagicon Pappy Gault PTS 10 2 October 1954 Template:Flagicon Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 12–0 Template:Flagicon Gerry Britz TKO 10 2 September 1954 Template:Flagicon City Hall, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 11–0 Template:Flagicon Denny Dawson KO 10 30 June 1954 Template:Flagicon Olympia Ice Rink, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 10–0 Template:Flagicon Tony Lombard PTS 12 22 May 1954 Template:Flagicon City Hall, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 9–0 Template:Flagicon Gary Gordon TKO 8 8 May 1954 Template:Flagicon Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 8–0 Template:Flagicon Jackie O'Connor KO 12 9 March 1954 Template:Flagicon City Hall, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 7–0 Template:Flagicon Matthew Raaff TKO 12 26 October 1953 Template:Flagicon Feather Market Hall, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 6–0 Template:Flagicon Jerry Jooste RTD 8 3 October 1953 Template:Flagicon Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 5–0 Template:Flagicon Kalla Persson KO 6 29 August 1953 Template:Flagicon Wembley Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 4–0 Template:Flagicon Bokkie Grobbler KO 6 5 August 1953 Template:Flagicon Wembley Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 3–0 Template:Flagicon Billy Lamberton PTS 6 24 July 1953 Template:Flagicon Olympia Ice Rink, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 2–0 Template:Flagicon Tiny Corbett KO 8 13 June 1953 Template:Flagicon City Hall, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 1–0 Template:Flagicon Jackie O'Connor PTS 4 5 September 1953 Template:Flagicon Wembley Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Training career

Toweel trained Charlie Weir, and world champions Brian Mitchell and Thulani Malinga.[3]

Olympic results

Later life and death

Willie lived in Randburg, South Africa, until his death on Christmas Day, 25 December 2017.

References

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  1. ↑ Template:Cite Sports-Reference
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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

External links

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