Willie Toweel vs. Dave Charnley (1st meeting)

Willie Toweel 133 lbs beat Dave Charnley 134 lbs by PTS in round 15 of 15

• Date: 1957-07-09
• Location: Earls Court Empress Hall, Kensington, London, United Kingdom
• Referee: Ike Powell

"Willie Toweel, British Empire lightweight champion, from South Africa, successfully defended his title against Dave Charnley, British lightweight champion, in a thrilling and vicious 15 rounds. The British champion fought with great determination and was always willing to stand toe to toe with the Empire champion, but experience and class was on the side of Toweel. After the halfway mark Toweel showed Charnley the way home for without losing his ice cool boxing brain he stabbed his left to the challenger's face following through with the right that always found its mark. One can only find praise for the gallant Charnley. His southpaw stance had no difficulties for Toweel, but Charnley kept trying to land the big pay off punch, all to no avail. Coming up for the 15th round, the South African had his title safe, but try as he might in the last session, the fighting British challenger although winning the round was surely and clearly beaten." -Ring Magazine, October 1957 issue

• Promoter Harry Levene stated after the contest that he would attempt to match Toweel with the European lightweight champion, Duilio Loi, in London, in a final eliminator for the lightweight championship held by Joe Brown. Unfortunately, the bout never came off.