Howard Winstone vs. Don Johnson (3rd meeting)

Howard Winstone 127 lbs beat Don Johnson 125 lbs by DQ in round 4 of 10

• Date: 1966-10-10
• Location: Free Trade Hall, Manchester, Lancashire, United Kingdom
• Referee: Jack Lord

"California featherweight Don Johnson will return to his temporary home in Italy with dented pride, but little else, following his 4th round DQ against Welshman Howard Winstone Monday night. Johnson, who comes from Los Angeles but now lives in Rome, was tossed out after 48 seconds of the 4th round of a 10 round bout against Winstone for "persistent low punching" by referee Jack Lord. The crowd of 2,500 booed lustily at the verdict. Johnson received a big cheer when he left the ring." -United Press International

• The BBB of C ruled that Johnson could keep his purse of 1,000 pounds sterling ($2,800) but warned him as to his future conduct in a British ring.
• Referee Lord had warned Johnson for low blows in the 1st and 3rd rounds.
• This bout had been rescheduled from earlier in the year, when Winstone, only 6 days from their scheduled bout at the NSC, slipped in the snow during roadwork, and broke a bone in his left ankle. The injury sidelined Winstone for several months.

Post fight comments

• "I warned Johnson about low blows in the 2nd round, and I had to repeatedly tell him to keep his punches up. There had to be a limit." -Referee Jack Lord

• "I was surprised, but the referee had earlier told Johnson that if he hit me low again, he would DQ him. He did so, so I suppose he was right." -Howard Winstone

• "If they like, I will fight Winstone again tomorrow. I know that a few punches went astray early on, but I definitely did not go low at the end. Anyone could see that Winstone was not hurt, and he made no complaint." -Don Johnson