Dai Dower
Encyclopedia
David William "Dai" Dower MBE
(born 20 June 1933), former British, Empire and European Flyweight
boxing
champion, is one of the most successful Welsh
boxers of all time.
, recording victories over Abdelamid Boutefnouchet of France
(3-0) and Leslie Donovan Perera Handunge of Ceylon (3-0) before finally losing to Russian
boxer Anatoly Bulakov, the holder of the Russian and European titles, 1-2.
against Vernon John. Dower won by technical knockout. Dower then beat Ron Hughes in two rounds before he was taken the distance for the first time, opposing the vastly more experienced Preston fighter Colin Clitheroe. Clitheroe had lost three of twenty two fights, mostly at bantamweight
, but lost to Dower by points in a six round bout. With another four wins to his name, including two over Jimmy Roche, Dower faced Clitheroe again, this time stopping him in round five.
On 23 March 1954, with 14 straight professional wins, Dower faced current British Flyweight Champion Terry Allen
in a non-title fight. Scheduled for a ten round fight at Earls Court Arena in London, Dower stopped Allen in the second.
With 20 successful bouts as a professional boxer under his belt Dower was given his first chance at a title fight. On 19 October 1954 the diminutive Welshman became British Empire Champion, taking the title away from South African Zulu boxer Jake Tuli.
A second chance of a title came in 1955 in the shape of the British flyweight crown. Terry Allen, a previous Dower victim, had vacated the title allowing Dai Dower to contest the crown against Eric Marsden on 8 March at the Harringay Arena. Also at stake was Dower's Empire crown. Dower beat Marsden by points over the 15 round contest.
Still unbeaten after 23 fights, the next title came just five months later when Dower took on Nazzareno Gianelli for the European Flyweight title at Earls Court Exhibition Centre
, London. Boxing brilliantly Dower dazzled the watching crowd with a wonderful display of text book left jabbing. The fight went the distance with Dower winning on points.
His first defeat came in his defence of the newly attained European crown, his 27th fight. Young Martin, a Spaniard, began to get through to the champion with his forceful and hurtful body attacks. Dower was dropped in the ninth round for the first time in the flyweight's career. Worse was to follow with the champ hitting the canvas no less than six times in the tenth. It was all over in the twelfth round when Martin dropped the Welshman for the full count.
Five wins out of five followed in 1956, restoring Dower's career on its upward path. Later in the year Dower took a break from the ring when he joined the army to do his two years National Service
.
On 30 March 1957 Dower fought World Flyweight
Champion Pascual Perez who was at the height of his powers at Club Atletico San Lorenzo de Almagro, in Perez' home town of Buenos Aires
The fight proved to be a bout too far, and Dower suffered a first round defeat.
Dai Dower went back to the British Army
to finish his National Service; following the crushing world title defeat. He later vacated his British & Empire flyweight titles.
There was just one more win over Eric Brett before a final defeat against Canadian, Pat Supple in the tenth round. Dower's relatively short, but successful career was over.
Grammar School in Bournemouth
. He became head of sport at Bournemouth University
, a position he held for twenty one years, and in June 1998 he became the recipient of an MBE, awarded for his years of teaching sport to children. Dai Dower now lives in retirement in Bournemouth.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born 20 June 1933), former British, Empire and European Flyweight
Flyweight
Flyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing less than 112 lb but above 108 lb .-Professional boxing:...
boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
champion, is one of the most successful Welsh
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
boxers of all time.
Amateur career
After becoming ABA Flyweight Champion Dower was selected for the team of Great Britain at the 1952 Summer Olympics in the boxing squadBoxing at the 1952 Summer Olympics
Final results for the Boxing competition at the 1952 Summer Olympics. The events were held at Messuhalli.-Medal table:- Flyweight :- Bantamweight :- Featherweight :- Lightweight :...
, recording victories over Abdelamid Boutefnouchet of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
(3-0) and Leslie Donovan Perera Handunge of Ceylon (3-0) before finally losing to Russian
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
boxer Anatoly Bulakov, the holder of the Russian and European titles, 1-2.
Professional career
In 1953 Dower turned professional and in he made his professional debut at Maindy Arena in CardiffCardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
against Vernon John. Dower won by technical knockout. Dower then beat Ron Hughes in two rounds before he was taken the distance for the first time, opposing the vastly more experienced Preston fighter Colin Clitheroe. Clitheroe had lost three of twenty two fights, mostly at bantamweight
Bantamweight
Bantamweight is usually a class in boxing for boxers who weigh above 115 pounds and up to 118 pounds . However, in Mixed Martial Arts it is 134-136 pounds . Wrestling also has similar weight classes including bantamweight...
, but lost to Dower by points in a six round bout. With another four wins to his name, including two over Jimmy Roche, Dower faced Clitheroe again, this time stopping him in round five.
On 23 March 1954, with 14 straight professional wins, Dower faced current British Flyweight Champion Terry Allen
Terry Allen (boxer)
Terry Allen was an English flyweight boxer. During his career, he became British, Commonwealth, European and World flyweight champion.- Family :...
in a non-title fight. Scheduled for a ten round fight at Earls Court Arena in London, Dower stopped Allen in the second.
With 20 successful bouts as a professional boxer under his belt Dower was given his first chance at a title fight. On 19 October 1954 the diminutive Welshman became British Empire Champion, taking the title away from South African Zulu boxer Jake Tuli.
A second chance of a title came in 1955 in the shape of the British flyweight crown. Terry Allen, a previous Dower victim, had vacated the title allowing Dai Dower to contest the crown against Eric Marsden on 8 March at the Harringay Arena. Also at stake was Dower's Empire crown. Dower beat Marsden by points over the 15 round contest.
Still unbeaten after 23 fights, the next title came just five months later when Dower took on Nazzareno Gianelli for the European Flyweight title at Earls Court Exhibition Centre
Earls Court Exhibition Centre
The Earls Court Exhibition Centre is an exhibition centre, conference and event venue located in west London, United Kingdom in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea . It is the largest exhibition venue in central London. It is served by two underground stations, Earl's Court and West...
, London. Boxing brilliantly Dower dazzled the watching crowd with a wonderful display of text book left jabbing. The fight went the distance with Dower winning on points.
His first defeat came in his defence of the newly attained European crown, his 27th fight. Young Martin, a Spaniard, began to get through to the champion with his forceful and hurtful body attacks. Dower was dropped in the ninth round for the first time in the flyweight's career. Worse was to follow with the champ hitting the canvas no less than six times in the tenth. It was all over in the twelfth round when Martin dropped the Welshman for the full count.
Five wins out of five followed in 1956, restoring Dower's career on its upward path. Later in the year Dower took a break from the ring when he joined the army to do his two years National Service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
.
On 30 March 1957 Dower fought World Flyweight
Flyweight
Flyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing less than 112 lb but above 108 lb .-Professional boxing:...
Champion Pascual Perez who was at the height of his powers at Club Atletico San Lorenzo de Almagro, in Perez' home town of Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
The fight proved to be a bout too far, and Dower suffered a first round defeat.
Dai Dower went back to the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
to finish his National Service; following the crushing world title defeat. He later vacated his British & Empire flyweight titles.
There was just one more win over Eric Brett before a final defeat against Canadian, Pat Supple in the tenth round. Dower's relatively short, but successful career was over.
Later life
Shortly before his final fight he took up the position of sports master at RingwoodRingwood
Ringwood is a historic market town and civil parish in Hampshire, England, located on the River Avon, close to the New Forest and north of Bournemouth. It has a history dating back to Anglo-Saxon times, and has held a weekly market since the Middle Ages....
Grammar School in Bournemouth
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
. He became head of sport at Bournemouth University
Bournemouth University
Bournemouth University is a university in and around the large south coast town of Bournemouth, UK...
, a position he held for twenty one years, and in June 1998 he became the recipient of an MBE, awarded for his years of teaching sport to children. Dai Dower now lives in retirement in Bournemouth.
See also
- Boxing at the 1952 Summer OlympicsBoxing at the 1952 Summer OlympicsFinal results for the Boxing competition at the 1952 Summer Olympics. The events were held at Messuhalli.-Medal table:- Flyweight :- Bantamweight :- Featherweight :- Lightweight :...
- List of British flyweight boxing champions