Terry Downes - RIP

[bennie]

Just a fortnight after the death of Jake LaMotta, another middleweight iron man, Paddington's Terry Downes, passed away this morning at the age of 81.
Terry was world middlweight champion in the early 1960s, a title he won in the second of a gruelling three-fight series with America's Paul Pender; he also challenged for the world light-heavyweight title against Willie Pastrano in 1964, a man he was beating when a desperate rally by the American finished Downes in the 11th round. Terry boasted wins over Joey Giardello, Lew Lazar, Pat McAteer, Don Fullmer, Phil Edwards and a faded Sugar Ray Robinson, and took part in a legendary brawl with Dick Tiger in a clash of future world middleweight champions at Shoreditch Town Hall in 1957.

[GlobalBox]

Rest in Peace Champ.

[Noxy]

A legend of the sport. May he rest in peace

[handsofstone]

RIP

[Jackson328]

RIP. Legend.

[dr_devious]

RIP champ

[Taansend]

If you are a boxing fan you WILL read "My Bleeding Hooter"

THAT IS AN ORDER

Hopefully you can still get hold of it. I read it plenty of times between the age of 15-25. Very funny read. His personality really comes through.

I don't mourn old people dying but I do celebrate their deaths. Terry Downes lived ten f*cking lives & I love him for that.

[Ross]

RIP Champ

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

RIP - ex US marine and was picked for the 1956 US Olympic team until they found out he was actually a goddamn Limey...

To echo Taansend's recommendation My Bleedin' Business is a really good read...

[Taansend]

RIP - ex US marine and was picked for the 1956 US Olympic team until they found out he was actually a goddamn Limey...

To echo Taansend's recommendation My Bleedin' Business is a really good read...

Has everyone read it yet?

[Autobarn]

Sounds like a really tough man. Is he considered a legend only in England?

[orbtastic]

The book is a good read

He must be one of a small number of English people who served with the US marines. I think at one point he was close to boxing on the US Olympic team.

He also has some bit parts in a bunch of films. He's in a Jack the Ripper film which I've seen.

[Taansend]

Sounds like a really tough man. Is he considered a legend only in England?

His achievements are underrated in England, sadly. Or maybe just forgotten in time. I knew all about him when I was a kid. He & Randy Turpin were both icons to me.

[Ross]

The Ring recently had a bet I faced with Terry Downes

[King Tubby]

RIP - ex US marine and was picked for the 1956 US Olympic team until they found out he was actually a goddamn Limey...

To echo Taansend's recommendation My Bleedin' Business is a really good read...

Has everyone read it yet?

I gave that to a mate of mine from Paddington who lives abroad. Wouldn't mind it back, doesn't look easy to get hold of now.

[Taansend]

RIP - ex US marine and was picked for the 1956 US Olympic team until they found out he was actually a goddamn Limey...

To echo Taansend's recommendation My Bleedin' Business is a really good read...

Has everyone read it yet?

I gave that to a mate of mine from Paddington who lives abroad. Wouldn't mind it back, doesn't look easy to get hold of now.

He didn't move to deepest, darkest Peru, did he?

Because that would be an amazing coincidence.

[King Tubby]

I see what you done there.

[Taansend]

I see what you done there.

[stujones]

RIP - One of the very best in the UK. allegedly are showing old interviews that Terry did at Setanta. To be honest, he didn't sound too great 9 years ago - seemed quite forgetful. I hope he was okay in his latter years. Still a great viewing though and my gosh you can see that he was a real character.