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Terry Allen (boxer)
Encyclopedia
Terry Allen was an English flyweight
boxer
. During his career, he became British, Commonwealth, European and World flyweight champion.
He then proceeded to win his first thirty-two fights. In 1942, during the Second World War, he joined the Royal Navy
, and while stationed at Alexandria
, Egypt
, he fought and won fifteen bouts, between May 1944 and December 1945.
His first defeat was in May 1946, against Alex Murphy by a knockout, in the sixth round at Harringay Arena
.
, for his British, Commonwealth, European and World flyweight titles. They fought in Monaghan’s home town of Belfast
, and the result after fifteen rounds was a draw.
Shortly after this fight, Monaghan retired, relinquishing his titles, and in April 1950, Allen fought Honore Pratesi of France
for the vacant European and World flyweight titles. The fight was held at Harringay Arena and Allen won on points over fifteen rounds to gain both titles.
In August 1950, he defended his World title against Dado Marino
of the United States
. The fight was held in Honolulu and Marino won a unanimous points decision to take the title.
In October 1950, Allen lost his European title when he defended it in Nottingham
against Jan Sneyers of Belgium
. Sneyers won on points, but the British crowd thought that Allen had won, and booed the decision.
In June 1951, Allen fought Vic Herman for the British flyweight title vacated by Rinty Monaghan. The fight was in Leicester and Allen won on points.
In November 1951, Allen had a re-match with Dado Marino for the World flyweight title. The fight was in Honolulu, and Marino won again by a unanimous decision.
In March 1952, he fought against Teddy Gardner for the British, Commonwealth and European flyweight titles. The fight was held in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Gardner won on points to take all three titles. Shortly afterwards Gardner retired leaving the titles vacant.
In October 1952, Allen fought for the vacant British flyweight title, against Eric Marsden. He won the title when the fight was stopped in the sixth.
In October 1953, he had another shot at a World title when he fought Yoshio Shirai
, in Tokyo
. Unfortunately for Allen, the Japanese won a unanimous decision.
In February 1954, Allen defended his British title against Eric Marsden, who he had beaten previously. He won again, this time on a disqualification in the fifth round.
Allen’s last fight was an unsuccessful challenge for the vacant European flyweight title. He fought Nazzareno Giannelli, in Milan
, Italy
, but the Italian won on points.
at the beginning of his boxing career, and after retiring, he was able to open his own vegetable business in Islington market.
Flyweight
Flyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing less than 112 lb but above 108 lb .-Professional boxing:...
boxer
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...
. During his career, he became British, Commonwealth, European and World flyweight champion.
Family
Allen's father was a professional boxer. His mother died when he was two, and he was raised by his grandmother. Six of his cousins were also professional boxers.Amateur career
He started boxing when he was nine and won a schoolboy championship. During his amateur career, he won 102 out of 107 contests.Professional career
Allen had his first professional fight in September 1942, at the age of eighteen. He beat Jim Thomas on points over six rounds at Caledonian Road Baths, Islington.He then proceeded to win his first thirty-two fights. In 1942, during the Second World War, he joined the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, and while stationed at Alexandria
Alexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, he fought and won fifteen bouts, between May 1944 and December 1945.
His first defeat was in May 1946, against Alex Murphy by a knockout, in the sixth round at Harringay Arena
Harringay Arena
Harringay Arena was a sporting and events venue on Green Lanes in Harringay, North London, England. Built in 1936, it lasted as a venue until 1958.-Construction:...
.
Title fights
He continued to win the vast majority of his fights, until, in September 1949, he challenged Rinty MonaghanRinty Monaghan
John Joseph "Rinty" Monaghan was a former world flyweight boxing champion from Belfast. He became famous in the post-war period, eventually rising to become undisputed world champion and a hero to many people in his home city....
, for his British, Commonwealth, European and World flyweight titles. They fought in Monaghan’s home town of Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, and the result after fifteen rounds was a draw.
Shortly after this fight, Monaghan retired, relinquishing his titles, and in April 1950, Allen fought Honore Pratesi 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...
for the vacant European and World flyweight titles. The fight was held at Harringay Arena and Allen won on points over fifteen rounds to gain both titles.
In August 1950, he defended his World title against Dado Marino
Dado Marino
Dado Marino, was a flyweight boxer from Honolulu, Hawaii, who became World flyweight champion in 1950. He also boxed as a bantamweight, and unsuccessfully fought for the World bantamweight title.-Professional career:...
of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The fight was held in Honolulu and Marino won a unanimous points decision to take the title.
In October 1950, Allen lost his European title when he defended it in Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
against Jan Sneyers of Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. Sneyers won on points, but the British crowd thought that Allen had won, and booed the decision.
In June 1951, Allen fought Vic Herman for the British flyweight title vacated by Rinty Monaghan. The fight was in Leicester and Allen won on points.
In November 1951, Allen had a re-match with Dado Marino for the World flyweight title. The fight was in Honolulu, and Marino won again by a unanimous decision.
In March 1952, he fought against Teddy Gardner for the British, Commonwealth and European flyweight titles. The fight was held in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Gardner won on points to take all three titles. Shortly afterwards Gardner retired leaving the titles vacant.
In October 1952, Allen fought for the vacant British flyweight title, against Eric Marsden. He won the title when the fight was stopped in the sixth.
In October 1953, he had another shot at a World title when he fought Yoshio Shirai
Yoshio Shirai
Yoshio Shirai was a professional boxer from Tokyo, Japan. He won the world flyweight title in 1952, becoming the first Japanese boxer to win a world title.- Childhood and Early Career :...
, in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
. Unfortunately for Allen, the Japanese won a unanimous decision.
In February 1954, Allen defended his British title against Eric Marsden, who he had beaten previously. He won again, this time on a disqualification in the fifth round.
Allen’s last fight was an unsuccessful challenge for the vacant European flyweight title. He fought Nazzareno Giannelli, in Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, but the Italian won on points.
Retirement
Allen had worked as a barrow boyBarrow boy
A barrow boy is a person who guides a stretcher during a crag rescue in British Mountain Rescue terminology. Conventionally there are two Barrow Boys, one at each end of a horizontal stretcher which may contain a casualty. The Barrow Boys may operate on fixed or moving ropes, and guide the...
at the beginning of his boxing career, and after retiring, he was able to open his own vegetable business in Islington market.