Terry Downes
Terry Downes | |
---|---|
Statistics | |
Nickname(s) | Paddington Express |
Weight(s) | Middleweight, light heavyweight |
Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
Reach | 69 in (175 cm) |
Nationality | British |
Born | Paddington, London, England | 9 May 1936
Died | 6 October 2017 London, England | (aged 81)
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 44 |
Wins | 35 |
Wins by KO | 28 |
Losses | 9 |
Draws | 0 |
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 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[]
- A Study in Terror (1965) - Chunky
- The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967) - Koukol, the Servant
- Five Ashore in Singapore (1967) - Sgt. Gruber
- The Golden Lady (1979) - Trainer
- If You Go Down in the Woods Today (1981) - Woodsman
- Caravaggio (1986) - Bodyguard
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[]
44 fights | 35 wins | 9 losses |
By knockout | 28 | 6 |
By decision | 7 | 2 |
By disqualification | 0 | 1 |
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, United Kingdom | For WBA, WBC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles |
43 | Win | 35–8 | Ed Zaremba | PTS | 10 | May 28, 1964 | Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom | |
42 | Win | 34–8 | Mike Pusateri | TKO | 5 (10) | Nov 25, 1963 | King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom | |
41 | Win | 33–8 | Rudolf Nehring | KO | 3 (10) | Oct 8, 1963 | Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, United Kingdom | |
40 | Win | 32–8 | Jimmy Beecham | TKO | 9 (10) | Mar 5, 1963 | Seymour Hall, Marylebone, London, England, United Kingdom | |
39 | Win | 31–8 | Phil Moyer | TKO | 9 (10) | Nov 13, 1963 | Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, United Kingdom | |
38 | Win | 30–8 | Sugar Ray Robinson | PTS | 10 | Sep 25, 1962 | Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, United Kingdom | |
37 | Win | 29–8 | Don Fullmer | PTS | 10 | May 22, 1962 | Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, United Kingdom | |
36 | Loss | 28–8 | Paul Pender | UD | 15 | Apr 7, 1962 | Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | Lost NYSAC and The Ring middleweight titles |
35 | Win | 28–7 | Paul Pender | RTD | 9 (15) | Jul 11, 1962 | Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, United Kingdom | Won NYSAC and The Ring middleweight titles |
34 | Win | 27–7 | Tony Montano | RTD | 5 (10) | May 2, 1961 | Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, United Kingdom | |
33 | Win | 26–7 | Willie Greene | TKO | 3 (10) | Mar 7, 1961 | Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, United Kingdom | |
32 | Loss | 25–7 | Paul Pender | TKO | 7 (15) | Jan 14, 1961 | Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | For NYSAC and The Ring middleweight titles |
31 | Win | 25–6 | Joey Giardello | PTS | 10 | Oct 11, 1960 | Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, United Kingdom | |
30 | Win | 24–6 | Phil Edwards | RTD | 12 (15) | Jul 5, 1960 | Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, United Kingdom | Retained BBBofC British and Commonwealth middleweight titles |
29 | Win | 23–6 | Richard Bouchez | KO | 2 (10) | Jun 9, 1960 | King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom | |
28 | Win | 22–6 | Orlando DePietro | KO | 4 (10) | Mar 24, 1960 | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, United Kingdom | |
27 | Win | 21–6 | Carlos Vanneste | TKO | 4 (10) | Mar 8, 1960 | Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, United Kingdom | |
26 | Win | 20–6 | John McCormack | TKO | 8 (15) | Nov 3, 1959 | Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, United Kingdom | Won BBBofC British and Commonwealth middleweight titles |
25 | Loss | 19–6 | John McCormack | DQ | 8 (15) | Sep 15, 1959 | Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, United Kingdom | Lost BBBofC British middleweight title; For vacant Commonwealth middleweight title |
24 | Win | 19–5 | Andre Davier | KO | 7 (10) | Jul 7, 1959 | Streatham Ice Rink, Streatham, London, England, United Kingdom | |
23 | Loss | 18–5 | Michel Diouf | TKO | 5 (10) | Feb 24, 1959 | Wembley Stadium, Wembley, London, England, United Kingdom | |
22 | Loss | 18–4 | Ellsworth Webb | TKO | 8 (10) | Dec 9, 1958 | Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, United Kingdom | |
21 | Win | 18–3 | Mohammed Ben Taibi | KO | 3 (10) | Nov 4, 1958 | Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, United Kingdom | |
20 | Win | 17–3 | Phil Edwards | TKO | 13 (15) | Sep 30, 1958 | Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, United Kingdom | Won vacant BBBofC British middleweight title |
19 | Win | 16–3 | Constant Alcantara | TKO | 3 (10) | Jul 15, 1958 | Streatham Ice Rink, Streatham, London, England, United Kingdom | |
18 | Win | 15–3 | Pat McAteer | PTS | 8 | Jun 3, 1958 | White City Stadium, White City, London, England, United Kingdom | |
17 | Win | 14–3 | Tuzo Portuguez | PTS | 8 | Apr 15, 1958 | Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, United Kingdom | |
16 | Win | 13–3 | Salah Ben Fahrat | TKO | 4 (8) | Mar 17, 1958 | Leyton Baths, Leyton, London, England, United Kingdom | |
15 | Win | 12–3 | Dennis Booty | TKO | 3 (8) | Feb 25, 1958 | Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, United Kingdom | |
14 | Loss | 11–3 | Freddie Cross | TKO | 6 (10) | Jan 28, 1958 | Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, United Kingdom | |
13 | Win | 11–2 | Serge Leveque | TKO | 4 (8) | Jan 7, 1958 | Town Hall, Shoreditch, London, England, United Kingdom | |
12 | Win | 10–2 | Hamouda Bouraoui | RTD | 4 (8) | Dec 19, 1957 | Town Hall, Shoreditch, London, England, United Kingdom | |
11 | Win | 9–2 | George Lavery | KO | 5 (8) | Dec 10, 1957 | Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, United Kingdom | |
10 | Loss | 8–2 | Les Allen | PTS | 8 | Nov 19, 1957 | Earls Court Empress Hall, Kensington, London, England, United Kingdom | |
9 | Win | 8–1 | Eddie Phillips | TKO | 3 (8) | Oct 28, 1957 | Leyton Baths, Leyton, London, England, United Kingdom | |
8 | Win | 7–1 | Derek Liversidge | TKO | 2 (8) | Oct 1, 1957 | Shoreditch Town Hall, Shoreditch, London, England, United Kingdom | |
7 | Win | 6–1 | Lew Lazar | PTS | 8 | Sep 17, 1957 | Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, United Kingdom | |
6 | Win | 5–1 | John Woolard | TKO | 7 (8) | Jun 25, 1957 | Town Hall, Shoreditch, London, England, United Kingdom | |
5 | Win | 4–1 | Sammy Hamilton | TKO | 3 (8) | Jun 18, 1957 | Streatham Ice Rink, Streatham, London, England, United Kingdom | |
4 | Win | 3–1 | Alan Dean | TKO | 4 (8) | Jun 4, 1957 | Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, United Kingdom | |
3 | Loss | 2–1 | Dick Tiger | TKO | 5 (8) | May 14, 1957 | Town Hall, Shoreditch, London, England, United Kingdom | |
2 | Win | 2–0 | Jimmy Lynas | TKO | 3 (6) | Apr 30, 1957 | Manor Place Baths, Walworth, London, England, United Kingdom | |
1 | Win | 1–0 | Peter Longo | KO | 1 (6) | Apr 9, 1957 | Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, United Kingdom |
See also[]
- List of middleweight boxing champions
- List of British middleweight boxing champions
References[]
- ^ "Terry Downes". Cyber Boxing Zone. 9 May 1936. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Deane McGowen (14 January 1961). "Pender Favored to Retain Middleweight Title in Fight With Downes Tonight - RIVALS HELD FIT FOR BOSTON BOUT Pender 8-5 Choice to Beat Challenger in 15-Rounder but Briton Is Confident". Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
- ^ "The Lineal Middleweight Champions". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
- ^ Jump up to: 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
- ^ Jump up to: 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
- ^ "Downes: The English U.S. Marine". Boxing.com. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Tiger fight night memories prompt tears in Truro". Sportsjournalists.co.uk. 3 October 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
- ^ "Try, Try Again Pays Off for Terry Downes". Aberdeen Evening Express. 12 July 1961. Retrieved 18 December 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Paul Pender: The Middleweight Champion Time Forgot". Eastsideboxing.com. Archived from the original on 11 August 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
- ^ "Terry Downes Recognised". Aberdeen Evening Express. 2 August 1961. Retrieved 18 December 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Terry Downes and Angela Mortimer Voted Top Stars". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 7 November 1961. Retrieved 18 December 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Terry Downes' Future is in the Balance". Aberdeen Press and Journal. 8 October 1963. Retrieved 18 December 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Referee Made Mistake Says Terry Downes". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 1 December 1964. Retrieved 18 December 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Terry Downes". IMDb. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
- ^ "Ex-Jockey Out to Win". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 5 February 1969. Retrieved 18 December 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Sugar Ray to Defend Title", The Age, 23 December 1958.
- ^ 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
External links[]
- Boxing record for Terry Downes from BoxRec
- "The Fighter at Home with Yogi Bear", Sports Illustrated profile from 1962
- 1936 births
- 2017 deaths
- Middleweight boxers
- World boxing champions
- United States Marines
- English male boxers