Terry Downes, BEM
Born(1936-05-09)9 May 1936
Paddington, London, England
Died6 October 2017(2017-10-06) (aged 81)
London, England
NationalityBritish citizenship
Other namesPaddington Express
Statistics
Weight(s)Middleweight, light heavyweight
Height5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Reach69 in (175 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights44
Wins35
Wins by KO28
Losses9
Draws0

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

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, U.K. For WBA, WBC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
43 Win 35–8 Ed Zaremba PTS 10 May 28, 1964 Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.
42 Win 34–8 Mike Pusateri TKO 5 (10) Nov 25, 1963 King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England, U.K.
41 Win 33–8 Rudolf Nehring KO 3 (10) Oct 8, 1963 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, U.K.
40 Win 32–8 Jimmy Beecham TKO 9 (10) Mar 5, 1963 Seymour Hall, Marylebone, London, England, U.K.
39 Win 31–8 Phil Moyer TKO 9 (10) Nov 13, 1963 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K.
38 Win 30–8 Sugar Ray Robinson PTS 10 Sep 25, 1962 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K.
37 Win 29–8 Don Fullmer PTS 10 May 22, 1962 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K.
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, 1961 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K. Won NYSAC and The Ring middleweight titles
34 Win 27–7 Tony Montano RTD 5 (10) May 2, 1961 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K.
33 Win 26–7 Willie Greene TKO 3 (10) Mar 7, 1961 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K.
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, U.K.
30 Win 24–6 Phil Edwards RTD 12 (15) Jul 5, 1960 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K. 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, U.K.
28 Win 22–6 Orlando DePietro KO 4 (10) Mar 24, 1960 The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K.
27 Win 21–6 Carlos Vanneste TKO 4 (10) Mar 8, 1960 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K.
26 Win 20–6 John McCormack TKO 8 (15) Nov 3, 1959 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K. Won BBBofC British and Commonwealth middleweight titles
25 Loss 19–6 John McCormack DQ 8 (15) Sep 15, 1959 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K. 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, U.K.
23 Loss 18–5 Michel Diouf TKO 5 (10) Feb 24, 1959 Wembley Stadium, Wembley, London, England, U.K.
22 Loss 18–4 Ellsworth Webb TKO 8 (10) Dec 9, 1958 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K.
21 Win 18–3 Mohammed Ben Taibi KO 3 (10) Nov 4, 1958 Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, U.K.
20 Win 17–3 Phil Edwards TKO 13 (15) Sep 30, 1958 Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, U.K. Won vacant BBBofC British middleweight title
19 Win 16–3 Constant Alcantara TKO 3 (10) Jul 15, 1958 Streatham Ice Rink, Streatham, London, England, U.K.
18 Win 15–3 Pat McAteer PTS 8 Jun 3, 1958 White City Stadium, White City, London, England, U.K.
17 Win 14–3 Tuzo Portuguez PTS 8 Apr 15, 1958 Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, U.K.
16 Win 13–3 Salah Ben Fahrat TKO 4 (8) Mar 17, 1958 Leyton Baths, Leyton, London, England, U.K.
15 Win 12–3 Dennis Booty TKO 3 (8) Feb 25, 1958 Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, U.K.
14 Loss 11–3 Freddie Cross TKO 6 (10) Jan 28, 1958 Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, U.K.
13 Win 11–2 Serge Leveque TKO 4 (8) Jan 7, 1958 Town Hall, Shoreditch, London, England, U.K.
12 Win 10–2 Hamouda Bouraoui RTD 4 (8) Dec 19, 1957 Town Hall, Shoreditch, London, England, U.K.
11 Win 9–2 George Lavery KO 5 (8) Dec 10, 1957 Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, U.K.
10 Loss 8–2 Les Allen PTS 8 Nov 19, 1957 Earls Court Empress Hall, Kensington, London, England, U.K.
9 Win 8–1 Eddie Phillips TKO 3 (8) Oct 28, 1957 Leyton Baths, Leyton, London, England, U.K.
8 Win 7–1 Derek Liversidge TKO 2 (8) Oct 1, 1957 Shoreditch Town Hall, Shoreditch, London, England, U.K.
7 Win 6–1 Lew Lazar PTS 8 Sep 17, 1957 Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, U.K.
6 Win 5–1 John Woolard TKO 7 (8) Jun 25, 1957 Town Hall, Shoreditch, London, England, U.K.
5 Win 4–1 Sammy Hamilton TKO 3 (8) Jun 18, 1957 Streatham Ice Rink, Streatham, London, England, U.K.
4 Win 3–1 Alan Dean TKO 4 (8) Jun 4, 1957 Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, U.K.
3 Loss 2–1 Dick Tiger TKO 5 (8) May 14, 1957 Town Hall, Shoreditch, London, England, U.K.
2 Win 2–0 Jimmy Lynas TKO 3 (6) Apr 30, 1957 Manor Place Baths, Walworth, London, England, U.K.
1 Win 1–0 Peter Longo KO 1 (6) Apr 9, 1957 Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, U.K.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Terry Downes". Cyber Boxing Zone. 9 May 1936. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
  2. 1 2 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.
  3. ↑ "The Lineal Middleweight Champions". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Rawling, John (2017) "Terry Downed Obituary", The Guardian, 8 October 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2017
  6. ↑ "Downes: The English U.S. Marine". Boxing.com. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  7. 1 2 "Tiger fight night memories prompt tears in Truro". Sportsjournalists.co.uk. 3 October 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
  8. ↑ "Try, Try Again Pays Off for Terry Downes". Aberdeen Evening Express. 12 July 1961. Retrieved 18 December 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  9. ↑ "Paul Pender: The Middleweight Champion Time Forgot". Eastsideboxing.com. Archived from the original on 11 August 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
  10. ↑ "Terry Downes Recognised". Aberdeen Evening Express. 2 August 1961. Retrieved 18 December 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  11. ↑ "Terry Downes and Angela Mortimer Voted Top Stars". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 7 November 1961. Retrieved 18 December 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  12. ↑ "Terry Downes' Future is in the Balance". Aberdeen Press and Journal. 8 October 1963. Retrieved 18 December 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  13. ↑ "Referee Made Mistake Says Terry Downes". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 1 December 1964. Retrieved 18 December 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  14. 1 2 "Terry Downes". IMDb. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  15. ↑ "Ex-Jockey Out to Win". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 5 February 1969. Retrieved 18 December 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  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
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