Terry Downes and Paul Pender during their July 1961 middleweight title fight, the top photo shows Terry Downes driving Paul Pender into the ropes with a jab, the bottom photo shows Terry Downes standing over Paul Pender after knocking him down.
Terry Downes is new middleweight Champion. This photo shows Terry Downes (left) posing with Paul Pender after their championship fight at the Empire Pool Wembley in July 1961. Pender, who had held the title, retired with a cut eye at the end of the tenth round.
On October 11, 1960 at Empire Poll, Wembley, London, England British middleweight champion Terry Downes fought Joey Giardello in the featured match. Downes prevailed winning a ten round decision. Joey Giardello is a legend in the sport, all-time great middleweight, he was an Italian from New York, tough as leather, had an Iron chin, one of the best ring technicians you'll ever see on film, he could knock you out or box your ears off, he really was the total package.
"British middleweight champion Terry Downes stormed into the world's top ten last night with an overwhelming decision over ranking American Joey Giardello. He immediately challenged Paul Pender or Gene Fullmer to a world title fight. Downes mixed his natural brawling ability with a kind of boxing skill he has never displayed before to defeat Giardello from Philadelphia. It was one of the finest middleweight fights seen in Britain for years. The critics had said it would turn into a bloodbath because both fighters were inclined to cut easily. But it didn't turn out that way. Downes was the only one who bled. That was in the 3rd round, from a cut over his left eyebrow. Downes started the fight pushing out a classic left jab in the good old English style - something he had never done so consistently and so well before." - Associated Press. Unofficial AP scorecard - 7-1-2 Downes. Giardello claimed to have broken his right hand in the 2nd or 3rd round and was never able to put any force behind it.
Terry Downes vs Sugar Ray Robinson, the greatest pound-for-pound fighter in the history of this sport.
“I didn't beat Sugar Ray, I beat his ghost.”
On September 25, 1962 in Empire Pool, London, Terry Downes defeated 41-year-old Sugar Ray Robinson via a 10-round points decision. Robinson, well past his prime, struggled against the energy and tenacity of the 26-year-old Downes. Terry Downes was as honest as it gets in this sport, a lot of guys would have gloated about scalping the great Sugar Ray Robinson, but Downes knew better. Reflecting on the win, Downes modestly remarked, "I didn't beat Sugar Ray; I beat his ghost." It was a simple comment, but it brings chills to my spine every time I hear it. Ironically, despite being younger, Downes retired in 1964 at just 28 years old, while Robinson continued fighting until the age of 44.
Some great photos of Terry Downes during his career. This photo is self explanatory, lifting a weight with his freaking teeth. It just shows you what it takes to make it in this sport.
Don Fullmer adjusts headgear on Terry Downes during a training session. Don Fullmer is the brother of Gene Fullmer, there were actually three Fullmer brothers that were boxers, Gene, Jay, and Don.
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Terry Downes and Paul Pender during their July 1961 middleweight title fight, the top photo shows Terry Downes driving Paul Pender into the ropes with a jab, the bottom photo shows Terry Downes standing over Paul Pender after knocking him down.
Terry Downes is new middleweight Champion. This photo shows Terry Downes (left) posing with Paul Pender after their championship fight at the Empire Pool Wembley in July 1961. Pender, who had held the title, retired with a cut eye at the end of the tenth round.
The life of a prizefighter, a battle-scarred Terry Downes with his family.
On October 11, 1960 at Empire Poll, Wembley, London, England British middleweight champion Terry Downes fought Joey Giardello in the featured match. Downes prevailed winning a ten round decision. Joey Giardello is a legend in the sport, all-time great middleweight, he was an Italian from New York, tough as leather, had an Iron chin, one of the best ring technicians you'll ever see on film, he could knock you out or box your ears off, he really was the total package.
"British middleweight champion Terry Downes stormed into the world's top ten last night with an overwhelming decision over ranking American Joey Giardello. He immediately challenged Paul Pender or Gene Fullmer to a world title fight. Downes mixed his natural brawling ability with a kind of boxing skill he has never displayed before to defeat Giardello from Philadelphia. It was one of the finest middleweight fights seen in Britain for years. The critics had said it would turn into a bloodbath because both fighters were inclined to cut easily. But it didn't turn out that way. Downes was the only one who bled. That was in the 3rd round, from a cut over his left eyebrow. Downes started the fight pushing out a classic left jab in the good old English style - something he had never done so consistently and so well before." - Associated Press. Unofficial AP scorecard - 7-1-2 Downes. Giardello claimed to have broken his right hand in the 2nd or 3rd round and was never able to put any force behind it.
Terry Downes vs Sugar Ray Robinson, the greatest pound-for-pound fighter in the history of this sport.
“I didn't beat Sugar Ray, I beat his ghost.”
On September 25, 1962 in Empire Pool, London, Terry Downes defeated 41-year-old Sugar Ray Robinson via a 10-round points decision. Robinson, well past his prime, struggled against the energy and tenacity of the 26-year-old Downes. Terry Downes was as honest as it gets in this sport, a lot of guys would have gloated about scalping the great Sugar Ray Robinson, but Downes knew better. Reflecting on the win, Downes modestly remarked, "I didn't beat Sugar Ray; I beat his ghost." It was a simple comment, but it brings chills to my spine every time I hear it. Ironically, despite being younger, Downes retired in 1964 at just 28 years old, while Robinson continued fighting until the age of 44.
Some great photos of Terry Downes during his career. This photo is self explanatory, lifting a weight with his freaking teeth. It just shows you what it takes to make it in this sport.
Downes hitting the speed bag.
Terry Downes and his dog Champ hanging out with some young fans.
Don Fullmer adjusts headgear on Terry Downes during a training session. Don Fullmer is the brother of Gene Fullmer, there were actually three Fullmer brothers that were boxers, Gene, Jay, and Don.
Terry Downes standing next to a car following his victory against Paul Pender.
Downes with cigar in mouth.
Downes skips rope.
Downes takes a break from training.
Downes clowns for the camera.
Terry Downes, warrior.
Terry Downes, aka "The Paddington Express", aka, "Dashing, Bashing, Crashing."
"Fractured eye socket, torn lip and I still wasn’t ready to quit… the mentality you have when your born to fight." - Mason Cartwright