Paul Pender vs. Terry Downes (2nd meeting)

Paul Pender 159 lbs lost to Terry Downes 159 lbs by RTD in round 9 of 15

• Date: 1961-07-11
• Location: Empire Pool, Wembley, London, United Kingdom
• Referee: Ike Powell

"Paul Pender, deposed from his share of the world middleweight championship, prepared today to go home to Boston to see his new baby daughter and start working to get back his title. Terry Downes, the battling Briton who served in the U.S. Marines, whipped him before 12,000 wildly cheering fans in Wembley Indoor stadium Tuesday night. Pender retired with a cut over his left eye at the end of the 9th round. Pender had the better of the 9th round, although blood streamed from his left eye. At the end of the round referee Ike Powell talked with Pender in his corner and then raised Downes hand in victory." -Associated Press

• There was a clause in the contract that obligated Downes to grant Pender a rematch within 90 days in Boston in the event he won.
• Pender's corner got word during the middle of the fight of Pender's wife giving birth, but elected to keep the news from him until the fight was ended.
• Purses: Pender - $84,000 (guaranteed), Downes - $28,000 (app.)

Post-fight comments

• "For an American fighter to quit because of cuts is almost unknown. I pose this question: 'Would Pender have gone out like this had he not known that within 90 days Downes is bound by contract to go to Paul's hometown and give him a third fight?" -Harry Carpenter

• "I just didn't have the speed. It seemed to get worse as the fight went on. I felt weak. I wasn't making any impression on him." -Paul Pender