Howard Winstone documentary

[AngryGoon38]

I watched this interesting documentary last night, about the very popular Welsh Featherweight boxer, Howard Winstone. He went 61-6 with 27 ko's. After his june of 1965 decision win over "Jose Legra", Winston's record was at 53-2. While Legra's record fell to 52-5-4. They rematched in July of 1968, which was 37 months later. Legra's record going into the rematch bout had changed super dramatically, to 102-5-4. He had achieved an amazing 50 consecutive wins, in that mere 37 months timeframe following the 10 round decision loss to Winstone.

Legra won the rematch by a 5th round tko. It would be Howard Winstone's final pro bout. He had gone 8-3(All 3 losses to Vicente Salvidar) in the 37 months following the first bout win over Legra, prior to they're return bout.
Winstone's best effort seemed to be in that 2nd bout versus Salvidar, in 1967. That bout could've easily been ruled a draw.
Winstone's title winning bout was a good win, but he was on his way out of pro boxing by that point in time.
Interesting what he tried after retiring from Pro Boxing. A restaurant owner/manager, a security job, and A hospital custodian.

He was apparently a pretty good hobby singer as well.
Sadly, he passed away on the last day of September, in 2000. At the age of 61, from kidney failure.
Apparently, he Did have a profound fondness for drinking. Even during his pro boxing carear.
On his boxrec profile it lists him at only 5'5. In the documentary, in the boxing footage scenes, he somehow looked taller than that. More like 5'7, or at least 5'6-1/2.
That factory accident that chopped off around an inch each of 3 fingers reminds me of Tony Iiommi, the Legendary "Black Sabbath" Guitar Player, who had a very similar type of accident while working in a factory.

[elmersalsa]

Howard Winstone could have been a great champion if the great Vicente Saldivar wasn't around. He is one of my favorite British fighters.

By the time he won the WBC World Featherweight Crown, he wasn't the same. But, to appreciate his boxing skills, just see his 3 fights with Saldivar. Especially, the second fight. It was a classic.

[AngryGoon38]

Howard Winstone could have been a great champion if the great Vicente Saldivar wasn't around. He is one of my favorite British fighters.

By the time he won the WBC World Featherweight Crown, he wasn't the same. But, to appreciate his boxing skills, just see his 3 fights with Saldivar. Especially, the second fight. It was a classic.

He also would've had a higher ko percentage if he hadn't had lost an inch of phlange on three right hand fingers(Factory accident).

Winstone couldn't make a closed fist on his right hand due to the shortened 3 Phlanges.

Before the factory accident, he had a very solidly legit straight right punch.

Post Factory Accident, He had to Really Alter his style and approach thereafter.
I would've just quit boxing at that point and focused solely on singing(Which he apparently also had natural talent with).
According to the documentary, Winstone proceeded to pursue Boxing because his Dad ?..or Grandad..? Kept on him about it, despite Winstone initially leaning towards Not Boxing anymore, following the factory accident.

[Redback Rasta]