Domestic fighters that never got the respect they deserved

[THEBUTCH]

An ultra blast from the distant past (and way before my time) but Dartford's Dave Charnley was a super boxer who has long been forgotten by most British boxing fans or never even heard of.

[mickey1975]

An ultra blast from the distant past (and way before my time) but Dartford's Dave Charnley was a super boxer who has long been forgotten by most British boxing fans or never even heard of.

Dalculmy, who used to post on here, wrote a book on him.

[Ruthless-RKO]

An ultra blast from the distant past (and way before my time) but Dartford's Dave Charnley was a super boxer who has long been forgotten by most British boxing fans or never even heard of.

The Dartford Destroyer!

[bennie]

Dave was the nicest fella you could ever wish to meet but stick boxing gloves on the man and the transformation made you shudder. McGuigan was the same.

[THEBUTCH]

That's true about McGuigan...utterly ruthless once the bell rang.

[THEBUTCH]

He's already had a mention and at his best Gary Jacobs was an excellent fighter.

[Giancarlo]

Des Morrison was in some thrilling fights at 10 stone when I first started following boxing.

Bennie and a few others here will remember him for sure.

[bennie]

Des Morrison was in some thrilling fights at 10 stone when I first started following boxing.

Bennie and a few others here will remember him for sure.

Yes, Des is a throwback and his British title wars with Colin Powers, Pat McCormack and Clinton McKenzie are legendary. Harry Mullan was ecstatic when Des, who was considered finished, pulled off a shock win over Sylvester Mittee at the Albert Hall in 1980 because Winston Spencer also lost on the night, both of them Cartel fighters. Mullan hated the Cartel.

[JWA31]

Jamie McDonnell
Ricky Burns
Gary Jacobs
Herbie Hide
Billy Hardy
Sorry wasn’t sure if it meant domestic level or just from UK, anyway these boys all deserve more acclaim.

Add Kevin lueshing to that list

You read his book? It's not a bad read, really. I mean, it's depressing as fvck, but it's emotional.

Yes, it had a lenny mclean vibe surrounding his upbringing. Props for overcoming what he did and eventually thriving

[steve689]

Clinton Woods is a great shout. A proper hard bastard who had some big wins.

[Giancarlo]

Des Morrison was in some thrilling fights at 10 stone when I first started following boxing.

Bennie and a few others here will remember him for sure.

Yes, Des is a throwback and his British title wars with Colin Powers, Pat McCormack and Clinton McKenzie are legendary. Harry Mullan was ecstatic when Des, who was considered finished, pulled off a shock win over Sylvester Mittee at the Albert Hall in 1980 because Winston Spencer also lost on the night, both of them Cartel fighters. Mullan hated the Cartel.

The Mullan era - Great times - I used to look forward to getting Boxing News on a friday morning and reading it cover to cover on the bus to work from Maltby to Sheffield. Then read it again on the way back.

Joe Tetteh vs Des Morrison in an important fight in British title history.

[THEBUTCH]

Another one just slotted in from my memory bank...Brummie favourite Pat Cowdell

Seems to get remembered from getting iced by Ghanaian great Azumah Nelson, but his herculean world title challenge to the even greater Salvador Sanchez should never be forgotten

Bennie, surely you have a few nice words to say about Cowdell's incredible effort against a true great of the ring ?

[bennie]

Des Morrison was in some thrilling fights at 10 stone when I first started following boxing.

Bennie and a few others here will remember him for sure.

Yes, Des is a throwback and his British title wars with Colin Powers, Pat McCormack and Clinton McKenzie are legendary. Harry Mullan was ecstatic when Des, who was considered finished, pulled off a shock win over Sylvester Mittee at the Albert Hall in 1980 because Winston Spencer also lost on the night, both of them Cartel fighters. Mullan hated the Cartel.

The Mullan era - Great times - I used to look forward to getting Boxing News on a friday morning and reading it cover to cover on the bus to work from Maltby to Sheffield. Then read it again on the way back.

Joe Tetteh vs Des Morrison in an important fight in British title history.

I wish I had seen a fight at the Shoreditch Town Hall because the atmosphere was said to be electric. I know someone who boxed there and he said that boxing never came into it, it was strictly a fight. Ernie Fossey liked to say that "it separated the men from the boys."

[Counter-puncher]

Joe Tetteh vs Des Morrison in an important fight in British title history.

important how, mate? i'll try a guess, first british title fight with two black fighters?

[bennie]

Another one just slotted in from my memory bank...Brummie favourite Pat Cowdell

Seems to get remembered from getting iced by Ghanaian great Azumah Nelson, but his herculean world title challenge to the even greater Salvador Sanchez should never be forgotten

Bennie, surely you have a few nice words to say about Cowdell's incredible effort against a true great of the ring ?

Cowdell was a truly great boxer. I remember watching him in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal and he looked unlucky to drop a decision to a North Korean in the bantamweight semi-finals. The Korean then won the gold medal with a decision over Charles Mooney, one of four forgotten Americans in the Games, along with Louis Curtis, Chuck Walker and Davey Armstrong. Cowdell turned pro and gave a brilliant display against Jimmy Flint at the Albert Hall in 1980 in a British title encounter. Flint was a huge puncher but Cowdell boxed his ears off until Terry Lawless pulled Jimmy out at the end the 11th round in the days of 15-rounders. Give Lawless his due, he had compassion for his fighters. He never wanted them to get hurt.
Cowdell went on to challenge Sanchez for the world title in the States, a man coming off an incredible winning effort against Wilfredo Gomez, but Cowdell took him to a split decision. The Nelson fight was all wrong for Cowdell, who hadn't made featherweight in years.

[Steveh583]

Michael brodies all but forgotten now

[Coco]

Another one just slotted in from my memory bank...Brummie favourite Pat Cowdell

Seems to get remembered from getting iced by Ghanaian great Azumah Nelson, but his herculean world title challenge to the even greater Salvador Sanchez should never be forgotten

Bennie, surely you have a few nice words to say about Cowdell's incredible effort against a true great of the ring ?

Cowdell was a truly great boxer. I remember watching him in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal and he looked unlucky to drop a decision to a North Korean in the bantamweight semi-finals. The Korean then won the gold medal with a decision over Charles Mooney, one of four forgotten Americans in the Games, along with Louis Curtis, Chuck Walker and Davey Armstrong. Cowdell turned pro and gave a brilliant display against Jimmy Flint at the Albert Hall in 1980 in a British title encounter. Flint was a huge puncher but Cowdell boxed his ears off until Terry Lawless pulled Jimmy out at the end the 11th round in the days of 15-rounders. Give Lawless his due, he had compassion for his fighters. He never wanted them to get hurt.
Cowdell went on to challenge Sanchez for the world title in the States, a man coming off an incredible winning effort against Wilfredo Gomez, but Cowdell took him to a split decision. The Nelson fight was all wrong for Cowdell, who hadn't made featherweight in years.

Pat managed me for years, top bloke, I often asked him about stuff during his career and he always brushed it off as if it was no big deal.

[Counter-puncher]

I'd totally forgotten he managed (and promoted?) fighters......

[Spud]

Clinton Woods is a great shout. A proper hard bastard who had some big wins.

Another thing on Clinton Woods is I do not think he earned the money others seem to get.

Was staying loyal to Dennis Hobson the wrong move?

[Giancarlo]

Joe Tetteh vs Des Morrison in an important fight in British title history.

important how, mate? i'll try a guess, first british title fight with two black fighters?

Pretty close CP.

Not specifically to do with colour though that may well be true even though there have been "non-white" British boxers since the earliest days.

It was the first British title fight involving two non-UK born boxers who qualified under the BBBoC arcane 10 Year Residence rule.

It was also the first contest for the British 10 stone title.

Not that long ago but a very different era in both boxing and UK culture in general.

[Counter-puncher]

Joe Tetteh vs Des Morrison in an important fight in British title history.

important how, mate? i'll try a guess, first british title fight with two black fighters?

Pretty close CP.

Not specifically to do with colour though that may well be true even though there have been "non-white" British boxers since the earliest days.

It was the first British title fight involving two non-UK born boxers who qualified under the BBBoC arcane 10 Year Residence rule.

It was also the first contest for the British 10 stone title.

Not that long ago but a very different era in both boxing and UK culture in general.

Thanks mate

[Giancarlo]

Cowdell was a truly great boxer. I remember watching him in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal and he looked unlucky to drop a decision to a North Korean in the bantamweight semi-finals. The Korean then won the gold medal with a decision over Charles Mooney, one of four forgotten Americans in the Games, along with Louis Curtis, Chuck Walker and Davey Armstrong.

Good memory Bennie.

[Giancarlo]

Cowdell was a truly great boxer. I remember watching him in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal and he looked unlucky to drop a decision to a North Korean in the bantamweight semi-finals. The Korean then won the gold medal with a decision over Charles Mooney, one of four forgotten Americans in the Games, along with Louis Curtis, Chuck Walker and Davey Armstrong. Cowdell turned pro and gave a brilliant display against Jimmy Flint at the Albert Hall in 1980 in a British title encounter. Flint was a huge puncher but Cowdell boxed his ears off until Terry Lawless pulled Jimmy out at the end the 11th round in the days of 15-rounders. Give Lawless his due, he had compassion for his fighters. He never wanted them to get hurt.
Cowdell went on to challenge Sanchez for the world title in the States, a man coming off an incredible winning effort against Wilfredo Gomez, but Cowdell took him to a split decision. The Nelson fight was all wrong for Cowdell, who hadn't made featherweight in years.

Agree with all that Bennie.

I also vividly remember Pat getting stopped in one round by a fired up Najib Daho on a live ITV afternoon show late in Pat's career. He got caught cold and shipped a lot of big left hooks. Cowdell tried to get his boxing back under control, had a little bit of success but another big left hook at the end of the round and Pat went down heavily catching the back of his neck on the middle rope. It was a wild scene with the ring invaded and Pat nearly trampled by Daho's jubilant fans.

I was gutted for Cowdell. But like the great fighter he was he secured a rematch and boxed beautifully albeit after another shaky start to stop a battered and eventually outclassed Daho in 9 rounds. That was on an ITV fight night show.

Both fights are on youtube and well worth a watch.

[THEBUTCH]

Nice recollection Bennie

Cowdell had a superb career amateur and pro. Olympic Bronze in the Ams followed by British European & world title challenger in the pros (anyone fancy their 2 world title tilts against Sanchez and Nelson )

Although Cowdell had much better wins in his career than his stoppage over Daho, I think Pat was out to prove a point in their rematch...and did by systematically breaking Najib apart

Cowdell went down fighting to the very last when losing to the excellent Floyd Havard and promptly announced his retirement

[bennie]

Cowdell was a truly great boxer. I remember watching him in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal and he looked unlucky to drop a decision to a North Korean in the bantamweight semi-finals. The Korean then won the gold medal with a decision over Charles Mooney, one of four forgotten Americans in the Games, along with Louis Curtis, Chuck Walker and Davey Armstrong.

Good memory Bennie.

Thanks for posting this. I have to admit, I thought the verdict was OK at the time. It was a close, competitive fight but the North Korean attacked hard and continued attacking after the knockdown from a stiff Cowdell jab. The Korean looked an outstanding fighter. Broughton (Graham Houston watching it on TV) doesn't give him enough credit.
It is interesting to read the other reports: Teofilo Stevenson demolishing John Tate and Cuban monsters Andres Aldama and Sixto Soria looking formidable. However, both Cubans lost in the finals to Ray Leonard and Leon Spinks respectively.