Tommy Nicholls, British Amateur Great

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Tommy Nicholls

Born October 12, 1931

6 sisters, 1 brother

Began boxing at age 15 (1946-1947) with
Sankeys BC, Wellington, Shropshire

Four-time A. B. A. (British national) champion, 1951-1952, 1955-1956.

European champion, 1955

Two-time Olympian, finalist, 1956

Amateur career: about 180-190 bouts

Partial record below: 139-20 (28)

Retired February 22, 1957

Married June Clift July 16, 1955

[williefromrichmond]

1947

Nov. 22 - T. Davies, Ironbridge W pts
According to George Griffiths, who refereed the bout, this was Tommy Nicholls’ first amateur contest.
Dec. 12 - D. Watkins W pts
Dec. 22 - T. Davies, Shrewsbury W ko 4

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1948

Mch. 5 - G. Williams, Wellington W pts
Apr. 23 - B. Smith, Whitchurch L pts
Apr. 29 - Frank Rushton, Wellington L pts
According to George Griffiths, this was Tommy’s first loss in thirteen bouts.
May 8 - A. Evans, Ludlow W pts
Oct. 29 - A. Evans, Wellington W pts
Nov. 22 - B. Smith, Shrewsbury L pts
Nov. 27 - A. Evans, Ludlow W pts
Dec. 4 - A. Tomlinson, Bridgnorth W pts
Dec. 11 - D. Lightfoot, Birmingham L pts

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1949

Jan. 8 - D. Lightfoot, Bridgnorth W pts
Midland Counties junior champion
Jan. 15 - J. Smith, Ludlow W pts
Jan. 28 - S. Crow, Wellington W pts
Feb. 5 - Tommy Icke, Birmingham W pts
Feb. 26 - Frank Rushton, Ludlow L pts
Mch. 8 - J. Rayll, Bridgnorth W pts
Mch. 12 - Sgt. Donovan, Wellington L pts
May 20 - J. Aldred W pts
May 30 - D. Bell L pts
Oct. 31 - Tommy Icke, Wellington W pts
Nov. 19 - Norman Wormall, Bridgnorth L pts
Nov. 26 - L. Piner, Ludlow W ko1
Dec. 5 - A. Archer, Wellington W rsc 2

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1950

Jan. 21 - K. Knowles, Wellington W ko 4
Feb. 20 - G. Mills, Whitchurch W ko 2
Mch. 18 - J. Kelly, Coventry W pts
Mch. 18 - F. Burley, Coventry W pts
Mch. 18 - K. Knowles, Coventry W pts
Mch. 18 - R. Joyce, Coventry W pts
Midland Counties bantamweight champion.
Apr. 26 - R. Smith, Wellington W ko1
May 12 - Jacques Dumesnil, Henlow W pts
Royal Air Force vs. French Air Force.
May 23 - Ken Lawrence, Wembley, London L pts
I.S.B.A. vs. Great Britain.
Sept. 15 - Ihler Nehls, Copenhagen W pts
Royal Air Force vs. Denmark.
Oct. 4 - S. Price (US Army), W pts
London. Britannia Shield bantamweight champion.
Nov. 2 - D. Hodgkinson, London W pts
Nov. 7 - K. Williams, Wells, W ko 2
Somerset.
Nov. 15 - S. Trainor, Marlborough W pts
Nov. 21 - R. Maguire W pts
Dec. 5 - D. Porter, Colhern W ko 1
Dec. 14 - Ihler Nehls, Portsmouth W pts
I.S.B.A. vs. Denmark.
Dec. 20 - I. Irvin, Uxbridge W ko 1

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1951

Jan. 12 - Niels Persson, W pts
Copenhagen. Royal Air Force vs. Denmark and Sweden.
Jan. 25 - P. Meewan, Glasgow W pts
England vs. Scotland.
Jan. 29 - A. Tinsley, Lyneham W pts
Mch. 7 - D. Stevenson, Bushy Park W ko 1
Royal Air Force Command bantamweight champion.
Mch. 21 - D. Hack, Bushy Park W pts
Royal Air Force vs. The Rest.
xxxx - J. Marley W
xxxx - T. Rolland W
xxxx - D. Flack W
Royal Air Force bantamweight champion.
Apr. 11 - Clem A’Court, W pts
Hullavington
Apr. 11 - B. Ryan, Hullavington W pts
I.S.B.A. bantamweight champion.
Apr. 20 - Alan Sillett, London W pts
Apr. 20 - Tommy Icke, London W pts
A.B.A. bantamweight champion.
May 4 - Alan Sillett, Henlow W pts
I.S.B.A. vs. England.
May 14 - John Kelly L pts
(Ireland), Milan. European bantamweight participant (lost in first round of the competition). Nicholls “was narrowly outscored” by Kelly. Nicholls, “cold and a little nervous after a long wait through the opening ceremony, never showed any of the brilliant form that collected him three titles and an unbeaten record during the past season. His best round against ‘southpaw’ Kelly was the first when he gaimed the edge with a series of right leads. This was offset by Kelly’s harder punching in the following round, and Kelly’s strong, determined close-quarter attacking in the final session clinched him a narrow but nevertheless deserving victory” (Boxing News 5-23-51:15).
June 5 - E. Fischer, Vienna W ko 3
R.A.F. vs. Austria.
June 7 - A. Ercher, Klagenfurt W pts
R.A.F. vs. Austria.
xxxx -
xxxx -
Aug. 21 - Ernest DeJesus, W pts
London. A.B.A. vs. USA Golden Gloves.
Aug. 24 - Ernest DeJesus, W pts
Manchester. A.B.A. vs. USA Golden Gloves.
xxxx -
xxxx -
xxxx -
xxxx -
Nov. 8 - D. Statsbury, Upavon(?) W ko 3
Nov. 14 - Vincenzo Dall’Osso W pts
London. A.B.A. vs. Italy.
Nov. 22 - T. Cottern, Lyneham W pts
Dec. 6 - D. Flack, Abingdon W pts

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1952

Jan. 21 - Tommy Thomson, W pts
London. England vs. Scotland. “A workmanlike win by the slick-moving Nicholls, who, warming up earlier than usual, took command with his long right leads and generally beat Thomson to the punch. Using his wide selection of punches, Nicholls seldom wasted an opening to score with his left and a lightning hook that rocked Thomson’s head back in the last round” (Boxing News 1-30-52:15). Nicholls due to be demobbed from the R.A.F. in five weeks.
Feb. 8 - Paddy Kelty, Dublin L pts
Great Britain vs. Ireland. “A debatable verdict. Most Irish critics were of the opinion that Kelty had been outpointed, which seemed to point to an undoubtedly poor decision. Making a faster beginning than usual, Nicholls had Kelty worried in the opening round with several smashing left hooks to the body which brought a swift desire to get in close. This was the start of Nicholls’ troubles, for his efforts to keep out the eager, two-fisted Kelty brought him several warnings - a public one in the last round - for using his head. It is a fault which has often been noticed in Nicholls’ makeup and one which he will do well to discard before the Olympics come round. Even so there was no questioning his superiority and his third defeat in two years was undeserved” (Boxing News 2-13-52:14).
Feb. 10 - T. O’Neill, Cork W pts
Great Britain vs. Ireland.
Feb. 21 - Kaj Johnsson, W ko 3
Copenhagen. R.A.F. vs. Denmark.
Feb. 23 - Ove Nilsson, Malmo W ko 2
R.A.F. vs. Sweden.
Mch. 8 - R. Harper, W pts
Birmingham.
Mch. 8 - G. Parker, W ko 2
Birmingham.
Mch. 8 - J. Greaves, W ret 2
Birmingham. Midland Counties bantamweight champion. “Greaves was all at sea and after being down for two counts he retired at the end of the second round” (Boxing News 3-12-52:15).
Mch. 22 - Les Goodman, W pts
Birmingham. Midland Counties vs. Western Counties. “Nicholls showed good footwork against a fellow southpaw and scored well straight right-hand punches, but Goodman doggedly contested every inch of the way” (Boxing News 3-26-52:14).
Apr. 5 - Emlyn Lewis, W pts
Birmingham. Midland Counties and Western Counties vs. Wales. “There was no disputing the winner, but Lewis fought a game battle and more is sure to be heard of this crisp-punching, game 17-year-old Welsh boy. Nicholls’ southpaw stance undoubtedly upset him for a time and he took stinging lefts to the body. In the second, Lewis fought like a terrier and banged three righs to the jaw that sent Nicholls staggering to the ropes. Nicholls came back to land with straight rights followed by swinging lefts to the body, but always found Lewis ready to punch it out. After being the recipient of lefts and rights to the head, the gallant Lewis came back on rubbery legs to crash home a couple of hard rights to Nicholls’ jaw in the last session and though Nicholls was definitely on top, he was made to travel all out to gain the honours” (Boxing News 4-9-52:15).
Apr. 25 - Malcolm Grant, W pts
London. Nicholls “took a little time to tame the aggression of Grant, but his long, piercing rights soon paved the way for more damaging left hooks. Grant never gave up his forcefulness and came back well in the third round after being dropped by a left hook to the body” (Boxing News 4-30-52:15).
Apr. 25 - Cliff Salter, London W ko 1
A.B.A. bantamweight champion. “A Nicholls body punch brought him a 1 minute, 45 second victory over Salter. A perfect left hook dropped Salter to the canvas with no hope of beting the count and the referee called a halt” (Boxing News 4-30-52:15).
May 2 - Pte. Wright, W pts
Wellington.
May 12 - Richie Jenkins, W pts
Cardiff. England vs. Wales. “Nicholls will never be nearer defeat than against Jenkins, who matched his opponent in hitting power. Nicholls won on a majority verdict” (Boxing News 5-21-52:15).
July 28 - Pentti Hamalainen L pts
(Finland), Helsinki. Olympic bantamweight participant; lost in first round of the competition. Nicholls “was well beaten by the blond Finnish southpaw. Never really at home against a fellow southpaw, Nicholls was taken completely out of his stride in the first round and was continually falling short with his leads after taking two good left hooks from the strong, forceful Finn. Hamalainen again carried the bout to Nicholls in the second and although the English boy improved in the last round he was clealy outscored” (Boxing News 8-6-52:15).

[williefromrichmond]

1953

Jan. 1 - Nicholls, “out of action for most of this [1952-1953] season through illness, has now resumed light training and is likely to return to the ring next month” (Boxing News 1-7-53:15).
Feb. 4 - Pte. McCabe, Shrewsbury W pts
Feb. 27 - J. Kelly, W pts
Wellington.
Mch. 7 - H. Baber, W
Birmingham.
Mch. 7 - R. Lovelock, W rsc 1
Birmingham. Nicholls “floored Lovelock with a stabbing solar-plexus punch in the first round” (Boxing News 3-11-53:14).
Mch. 7 - Ron Patterson, W pts
Birmingham. Midland Counties featherweight champion. Nicholls “scored a clear points win over Patterson” (Boxing News 3-11-53:14).
Mch. 21 - K. Jackson, W wo
Exeter. Midland Counies vs. Western Counties. Jackson was overweight.
Mch. 28 - Malcolm Collins(?), W wo
Birmingham. Midland Counties and Western Counties vs. Wales.
Apr. 24 - Alan Sillett, L disq 3
London. A.B.A. featherweight semifinalist. Nicholls “was disqualified for persistent use of the head against Sillett. Sillett took a count of ‘eight’ in the first round from body punches, but, despite this, Sillett had the edge and was ahead on points when the referee intervened” (Boxing News 4-29-53:15).
May 8 - Ernie Weaver, W pts
Birmingham. Nicholls “had a clear-cut points win over Weaver” (Boxing News 5-20-53:16).
June 6 - T. Yates, Crew W pts
Oct. 13 - Jochen Gohnert, L pts
Wolverhampton. Midland Counties Select vs. Braunschweig (Germany) Select.
Oct. 23 - J. Leech, W rsc 4
Wellington.
Nov. 11 - Dave Charnley, W pts
London.
Nov. 14 - A. Huckaby, W pts
Birmingham.
Nov. 20 - D. Kiethley, W ko 2
Wellington.
Nov. 27 - Fred Teidt, W pts
Dublin. England vs. Ireland. Nicholls “used a straight left to effect and won every round against Teidt. Nicholls’ footwork was a treat to watch” (Boxing News 12-9-53:15).
Nov. 30 - R. McAvoy, W pts
Belfast. England vs. Ireland.

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1954

Jan. 25 - Ben Lyall, London W pts
England vs. Scotland.
Jan. 30 - D. Bach, Birming- W pts
ham. Midland Counties vs. Dublin.
Feb. 2 - D. Bach, Wolver- W pts
hampton. Midland Counties vs. Dublin.
Feb. 19 - Joe Jacobs W pts
Mch. 13 - R. Lovelock, W pts
Birmingham
Mch. 13 - J. Moss, W pts
Birmingham
Mch. 13 - Ron Patterson, W pts
Birmingham. Midland Counties featherweight champion.
Mch. 27 - Ken Hirriatt, W pts
Birmingham. Midland Counties vs. Western Counies.
Apr. 3 - Malcolm Collins, L pts
Newport, Wales. Midland Counties and Western Counties vs. Wales. Nicholls boxed superbly and many thought he had won. Midland Counties officials were stunned by the decision and are considering lodging a protest” (Boxing News 4-9-54:14).
Apr. 9 - Joe Jacobs, W pts
Rochdale, East Lancs. This was Nicholls’ third meeting with Jacobs “with the verdict going to Nicholls for the third time. Seemingly punching harder than in their previous encounters, Nicholls took a comfortable points decision” (Boxing News 4-23-54:13).
June 26 - Malcolm Collins, L pts
Porthcawl, Wales. England vs. Wales. “Best victory, as far as Wales was concerned, was the points win that Collins won over Nicholls. Nicholls made full use of his greater experience, but had the misfortune to find Collins in top form. Collins displayed great speed, frequently troubling Nicholls with head hooks. The Welshman was unaffected by Nicholls’ last round rally” (Boxing News 7-2-54:15).
Oct. 8 - Terry Gordon, Wellington W pts
Oct. 22 - Alf Drew, London W pts
Nicholls outpointed Drew, who “could never settle down against the unorthodox stance of Nicholls. Although he kept out of trouble in the early stages, Drew gradually fell victim to the stabbing right jabs and swiftly-following left hooks of Nicholls” (Boxing News 10-29-54:13).
Nov. 17 - Hans Peter Mehling, W pts
London. England vs. Germany.
Nov. 19 - Billy Noble, Wellington W pts
Nicholls “skated home” against Noble (Boxing News 12-3-54:13).
Nov. 23 - Dai Marchant, W pts
Wolverhampton. Midland Counties vs. R.A.F. Nicholls “had an easy passage over Drennan, who was never able to overcome Nicholls’ southpaw stance” (Boxing News 12-3-54:15).
Dec. 10 - Harry McClarence, W pts
Birmingham. Midland Counties vs. Western Command.
Dec. 17 - W. Rho, Wellington. W pts

[williefromrichmond]

1955

Jan. 6 - Ron Stone, London W pts
“A second round collision resulting in both boys sustaining cut eyes, [the referee intervened] and Nicholls was declared the points winner” (Boxing News 1-21-55:14).
Jan. 27 - Bobby Neil, Glasgow L rsc 3
England vs. Scotland. “Most people agreed that Neill had a lucky escape when Nicholls received an eye cut which necessitated the referee’s intervention in the third round” (Boxing News 2-4-55:14).
Mch. 12 - R. Swift, Birmingham W pts
Mch. 12 - J. Hemms, Birmingham W ko 3
Mch. 12 - Barry Nock, Birmingham W pts
Midland Counties featherweight champion.
Apr. 2 - Gordon Dustan, W ko 1
Somerset. Midland Counties vs. Western Counties. Nicholls “punched too hard with his left hand and knocked Dustan out in the first round” (Boxing News 4-8-55:14).
Apr. 16 - John Peart, Birmingham W pts
Midland Counties and Western Counties vs. Wales. “Inside a round, Nicholls’ left eye was as black as boot polish, but he floored Peart in the second and third rounds with left hooks and won a clear points verdict” (Boxing News 4-22-55:13).
Apr. 29 - Arthur Devlin, London W pts
Nicholls “punched much too hard” for Devlin (Boxing News 5-6-55:14).
Apr. 29 - Jim Swan, London W pts
A.B.A. featherweight champion.
May 6 - Frank Kelly, Wellington L disq 3
May 11 - Harvey Lancour, London W ko 3
England vs. USA Golden Gloves. Nicholls “walked straight into Lancour and slammed him back with a great right jab. He went after his man and gave him everything he had. Lancour fought back with commendable courage, but he had no chance against Nicholls. The Englishman was always on target and in the first minute Lancour was bleeding from the nose and mouth. At the start of the third, however, Nicholls walked straight into a hard right hander and followed it with another mighty right hander in his furious attack. But Nicholls remained calm, drew Lancour round to the left, and let fly with a crashing left hook to the head which sent the American down like a wet sack” (Boxing News 5-20-55:14).
May 17 - D. Parsons, W ko 2
Wolverhampton. Midland Counties vs. Wales.
May 27 - Jan Zachara (Czecho- W pts
slovakia), West Berlin.
May 31 - Antoine Martin (Spain), W pts
West Berlin.
June 3 - Pentti Hamalainen W pts
(Finland), West Berlin.
June 5 - Aleksandr Zasukhin W pts
(Russia), West Berlin. European featherweight champion. Nicholls “was a bundle of nerves when he entered the ring for the final against Zasukhin, but he was cool enough when the Russian bore in, slashing away with both hands to Zasukhin’s body. He moved about with speed, jabbing the onrushing Russian like a matador dealing with an enraged bull. His footwork was particularly brilliant and on many occasions Zasukhin was made to hit the air. But the fiery Russian never stopped trying, and in the second round he rocked Nicholls with a fierce right hander to the head. Fortunately, the punch was just a shade too high and its full effect was lost. But it acted as a danger sign to Nicholls, who saw the red light and acted on it, for he never gave Zasukhin another chance. From that stage, Nicholls acted with caution and did not waste a punch. He also paid strict heed to his corner: keep moving. There was an agonising delay while the British contingent waited for the decision to be announced. An Italian referee and a Swiss judge voted in favour of Zasukhin, but Nicholls won the title on a majority decision from Yugoslavian, French and West German judges. Many people thought Nicholls deserved to become champion if only because of his masterly elimination earlier in the week not only of the 1952 Czech Olympic champion, Jan Zachara, but also ace Frenchman Antoine Martin, who was fancied by many for the title, and the fast Finn, Hamalainen” (Boxing News 6-10-55:14).
Nov. 11 - Barry Nock, Birmingham W pts
Nov. 18 - Ken Gregg, Wellington W pts
Dec. 1 - T. Murray, Wellington W pts
Dec. 3 - Johnny Williams, L disq 2
Coventry. Midland Counties vs. Coventry. “Nicholls was getting well on top midway through the second round when he landed a left hook below the belt and was disqualified. He then helped seconds to bring his spark-out opponent round” (Boxing News 12-16-55:14).

[williefromrichmond]

1956

Jan. 16 - Ken Gregg, Worcester W pts
Jan. 25 - George McMillan, W pts
London. England vs. Scotland. Nicholls “boxed brilliantly to outpoint McMillan” (Boxing News 2-3-56:14).
Jan. 27 - Billy Barber, Wellington W pts
Feb. 1 - Terry Gordon, W pts
Manchester
Mch. 10 - D. Chivers, W pts
Birmingham
Mch. 10 - I. Ingram, W ko 1
Birmingham
Mch. 10 - Pat Kenny, W pts
Birmingham. Midland Counties featherweight champion. “Though he fully merited the points verdict, Nicholls was given a hard bout by Kenny” (Boxing News 3-30-56:14).
Mch. 31 - Alan Cutler, W rsc 3
Birmingham. Midland Counties vs. Western Counties.
Apr. 7 - Stan Elliott, Newport, W ko 1
Wales. Midland Counties and Western Counties vs. Wales. “Elliott swarmed to the attack as soon as the gong sounded, but this was fatal tactics against Nicholls, who, after only 41 seconds, whipped in a terrific short left hook to the liver which so hurt Elliott that he was unable to arise. He was crawling towards his corner when the ‘ten’ was called” (Boxing News 4-13-56:14).
Apr. 27 - Aubrey Day, London W pts
“Day gave Nicholls a good run for his money in the first round, but could not keep it up and did not produce the right answer to Nicholls’ jabs” (Boxing News 5-4-56:14).
Apr. 27 - Arthur Devlin, W pts
London. A.B.A. featherweight champion. “Nicholls proved the boss” (Boxing News 5-4-56:15).
May 6 - Kazimierz Boczarski, W pts
Warsaw, Poland. England vs. Poland. “Nicholls twice floored Boczarski before outpointing him, wading into his work in the second round to become the boss” (Boxing News 5-11-56:14).
May 8 - Jan Brychlik, W pts
Gdansk, Poland. England vs. Poland. “Nicholls knew far too much for Brychlik, even though the Polish lad rammed home a few rights to Tommy’s wide open jaw” (Boxing News 5-11-56:14).
May 26 - T. Robinson, W pts
Birmingham. Midland Counties vs. Northern Counties. “Nicholls was in grand form and there was never any doubt of his supremacy as he outpointed Robinson with ease” (Boxing News 6-1-56:13).
June 20 - Mikhail Papazian, W pts
Moscow. England vs. Russia. “Nicholls overcame a nervous start to floor the swarthy Armenian in the first round and jab his right hand into the puzzled Russian’s features to a clear points victory which was greatly applauded by the crowd” (Boxing News 6-29-56:14).
June 27 - Pentti Hamalainen, W pts
Helsinki. England vs. Finland. “Hamalainen’s second defeat in 30 internationals, but the crowd booed the decision” (Boxing News 7-6- 56:14).
Oct. 5 - J. Martin, Wellington W pts
Nov. 27 - Noel Hazard W pts
(Australia), Melbourne. Nicholls “was lucky to be drawn against Hazard, who was bewildered, bothered and bewildered, and finished well beaten on points” (Boxing News 11-30-56:13).
Nov. 29 - Shinetsu Suzuki W pts
(Japan), Melbourne.
Nov. 30 - Pentti Hamalainen W pts
(Finland), Melbourne.
Dec. 1 - Vladimir Safronov L pts
(Russia), Melbourne. Olympic featherweight finalist. Nicholls “dropped a narrow points decision to Safronov. Tommy was stiff with nerves and was at fault with his timing. Safronov was faster to the punch and much quicker to seize an opportunity. Nicholls realized in the first round that he was in for a tough time. Safronov often slipped under Nicholls’ outstretched right hand and pounded away with both hands to the body. Nicholls did better in the second round, although he was on his haunches for a brief spell” (Boxing News 12-7-56:14).

[williefromrichmond]

Make the 1956 results read "Tommy Nicholls (Part 10)."

[williefromrichmond]

1957

Jan. 18 - K. Black, Wellington W rsc 3
Sankeys side vs. Stadthagen (Germany) side.
Jan. 23 - V. Jones W pts
Feb. 22 - Tommy Edge, W pts
Wellington. Sankeys vs. Western Command. Nicholls “finished off a brilliant career with a good points win over Edge, who won the first round by a very narrow margin. Then the master tactician Nicholls took over and dictated matters. But Edge is a non-stop battler, moving forward all the time and must have given Nicholls one of his hardest battles for a long time” (Boxing News 3-1-57:15).
Feb. 22 - Announced his retirement from boxing.

MY THANKS TO TOMMY NICHOLLS FOR MAKING HIS RECORD BOOK OF BOUTS AVAILABLE TO ME.