One of the tough English Middleweights of the 1970's, who had an 'unlucky task' of running
into Alan Minter and Marvin Hagler.
Thru the end of 1974, the 26 1/2 year-old boxer-puncher had run his record to 24-2-0 {10 KO's}
and Kevin had also won the European Middleweight Championship.
In January 1975, the WBC had ranked Kevin Finnegan as their #1 Middleweight, and a Championship bout
WBC Champion - Rodrigo Valdes seemed 'automatic'.
Below, February 11, 1974 in Mayfair, London
Kevin Finnegan defeats Bunny Sterling over 15-Rounds to capture the European Middleweight
Championship, propelling Kevin into the World Top 10 of the Middleweights.
{WBC Ratings}
*** Rodrigo Valdes
#1.. Kevin Finnegan
#2.. Tony Licata
#3.. Carlos Monzon (WBA Champion)
#4.. Vito Antuofermo
#5.. Gratien Tonna
#6.. George Cooper
#7.. Nessim Max Cohen
#8.. Luis Fabre
#9.. Bennie Briscoe
#10. Shako Mamba
{WBA Ratings}
*** Carlos Monzon
#1.. Rodrigo Valdes (WBC Champion)
#2.. Tony Licata
#3.. Kevin Finnegan
#4.. Gratien Tonna
#5.. Jean-Claude Bouttier
'FRENCHMAN GRATIEN TONNA TOO STRONG, TAKES EUROPEAN TITLE FROM KEVIN FINNEGAN'
Gratien Tonna was just too strong for Brit - Kevin Finnegan. The Frenchman cut Finnegan over his
left eye in Round 7, and then cruised to an easy 15-Round Decision to win the European Middleweight
Championship.
Kevin Finnegan who had won the European Title last year by defeating Jean-Claude Bouttier, had
no answer for the Tonna's hard smashes.
The 'new' Champion said he would like to fight the WBA Champion - Carlos Monzon in his next bout.
Wonder if 5 rounds with Carlos made him regret his wish.
Wasn't Kevin a very good painter as well or was it his brother, Chris? I remember reading a book aboout bare knuckle boing and one of the people interviewed used to do some gloved sparring with the Finnegan brothers and he said they were really good and just weren't bothered at all about who they boxed, no nerves and no fear.
Kevin Finnegans jaw just "Good".
To quote himself: "The only things that have put me om my back is broads and Bourbon"
Only knocked down twice by Tonna in their second fight, which Finnegan won in France. Not easy to get a decision over there, but he did well on my video recorder.
palooka wrote:Wasn't Kevin a very good painter as well or was it his brother, Chris? I remember reading a book aboout bare knuckle boing and one of the people interviewed used to do some gloved sparring with the Finnegan brothers and he said they were really good and just weren't bothered at all about who they boxed, no nerves and no fear.
I think both were talented artists, they were also accomplished p1ss artists as well.
