Tony Willis
Encyclopedia
Anthony "Tony" Willis (born June 17, 1960 in Liverpool, England) is a British
former boxer
who won a Light Welterweight Bronze medal
at the 1980 Summer Olympics
. As a professional, he held the British lightweight boxing title between 1985 and 1987.
He won his first thirteen fights putting himself in line for a British lightweight title fight.
In December 1983 he fought George Feeney for his British lightweight title. He lost when the fight was stopped in the first round.
In May 1985 he fought for the vacant British lightweight title against Ian McLeod, winning on points over twelve rounds.
In November 1985 he defended his British title against Paul Chance. Willis won when the fight was stopped in the fifth round, Chance having been knocked down three times.
In May 1986 he defended his title against Steve Boyle in Manchester
, winning by a technical knockout in the ninth round.
In September 1987 he defended his title for the third time, against Scottish boxer, Alex Dickson. The fight was held in Glasgow
, and Dickson won on points over twelve rounds to take Willis's title.
After losing his title, Willis continued fighting but retired in May 1989 after being knocked out in a light-welterweight fight by Pat Barrett, this caused celebrations throughout Liverpool.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
former 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...
who won a Light Welterweight Bronze medal
Olympic medalists in boxing
This is the complete list of Olympic medalists in boxing from 1904 to 2008.-Light flyweight:*1968 - : up to 48 kg.-Flyweight:*1904: up to 105 lb *1920-1936: up to 112 lb *1948-1964: up to 51 kg...
at the 1980 Summer Olympics
1980 Summer Olympics
The 1980 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Moscow in the Soviet Union. In addition, the yachting events were held in Tallinn, and some of the preliminary matches and the quarter-finals of the football tournament...
. As a professional, he held the British lightweight boxing title between 1985 and 1987.
Olympic results
Representing Great Britain, Willis was the Bronze medalist in the Light Welterweight (63.5 kg) class at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow. His results were:- Defeated Jaime Franco (Brazil) 5-0
- Defeated Shadrach Odhiambo (Sweden) 5-0
- Defeated William Lyimo (Tanzania) KO 3
- Lost to Patrizio OlivaPatrizio OlivaPatrizio Oliva is an Italian former boxer, who won the gold medal in the light welterweight division at the 1980 Moscow Olympics as an amateur and the WBA World light welterweight title as a professional....
(Italy) 0-5
Pro career
He had his first professional fight in September 1981, beating Winston McKenzie.He won his first thirteen fights putting himself in line for a British lightweight title fight.
In December 1983 he fought George Feeney for his British lightweight title. He lost when the fight was stopped in the first round.
In May 1985 he fought for the vacant British lightweight title against Ian McLeod, winning on points over twelve rounds.
In November 1985 he defended his British title against Paul Chance. Willis won when the fight was stopped in the fifth round, Chance having been knocked down three times.
In May 1986 he defended his title against Steve Boyle in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, winning by a technical knockout in the ninth round.
In September 1987 he defended his title for the third time, against Scottish boxer, Alex Dickson. The fight was held in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, and Dickson won on points over twelve rounds to take Willis's title.
After losing his title, Willis continued fighting but retired in May 1989 after being knocked out in a light-welterweight fight by Pat Barrett, this caused celebrations throughout Liverpool.