BoxRec

FAO Welsh users....

The Johnny Owen Story, Thursday 4th November, 10.35pm, ITV Wales.

It’s 30 years since Johnny Owen, the Bantamweight Champion from Merthyr, died in a Los Angeles ring, whilst fighting for a world title. At the time he was Welsh, British, European and Commonwealth Champion.

The programme looks at his story, how he won those titles, the commitment of a boxer’s life, how he trained hard, and eventually how a sport that he loved killed him. It also looks at Merthyr’s proud boxing tradition by following current welsh featherweight champion Dai Davies, also from Merthyr, as he balances his day to day life with his career as a boxer.

With interviews with men who boxed against Johnny, childhood friends, boxing commentators, people who witnessed the fatal Los Angeles fight, and Johnny Owen’s brother, as well as with the Mexican boxer Lupe Pintor, the programme features never seen before archive of Johnny Owen’s career, and some fantastic images of boxing from the sixties to present day.

Cheers for that.
The documentary called The long journey shown on Welsh regional television (national also maybe?) years back was excellent and if this is half as good as that it will be essential and emotional viewing.

If you get a chance also read the book," The Big If." the life and death of Johnny Owen. An excellent and emotional read.

RIP Johnny

Captain Hook wrote:
At the time he was Welsh, British, European and Commonwealth Champion.

Moreover, he had been a pro for just under 4 years at that point.

Is there any way of watching this if you live in the midlands as i do? :)

cant get itv wales here in manc.Gutted, use to enjoy watching ownes fights as a kid,class boxer and brave.Sadly,too brave in end.R.I.P..Hope it ends up on youtube.

Ok -I figured out how to add the channel if you have a sky box using the link below.

If you have a HD box then after pressing the "services" button press the "settings" button and go to "add channels" -Its pretty much the same as the link after this-Very simple, takes a few minutes at most.
http://www.vowles-home.demon.co.uk/Sat/SkyITV.htm

Also watch this online at the moment if anyone is interested.

http://www.itv.com/wales/the-johnny-owen-story67811/

Nobody ever asks how good he couldve or wouldve been. 24 yrs old, won everything, then lost the fight of his life. Makes me sick in a way, never touched a drop of alcohol, hid away from fame, never smoked, wasnt interested in women or being the big I AM... some fighters today should hang their heads in shame, and young fighters should watch this doc and see how a fighter should behave. RIP matchstickman. Gone but never forgotten.

Wales wrote:Nobody ever asks how good he couldve or wouldve been. 24 yrs old, won everything, then lost the fight of his life. Makes me sick in a way, never touched a drop of alcohol, hid away from fame, never smoked, wasnt interested in women or being the big I AM... some fighters today should hang their heads in shame, and young fighters should watch this doc and see how a fighter should behave. RIP matchstickman. Gone but never forgotten.

Well said...

Is there a link I can watch now??

yoyo wrote:Is there a link I can watch now??

Mate-The link i posted last night works

Ta mate

Wales wrote:Nobody ever asks how good he couldve or wouldve been. 24 yrs old, won everything, then lost the fight of his life. Makes me sick in a way, never touched a drop of alcohol, hid away from fame, never smoked, wasnt interested in women or being the big I AM... some fighters today should hang their heads in shame, and young fighters should watch this doc and see how a fighter should behave. RIP matchstickman. Gone but never forgotten.

Diolch yn fawr iawn.