Terence Spinks
Encyclopedia
Terence "Terry" George Spinks MBE
(born 28 February 1938) is a former boxer
from Great Britain
, who won the gold medal in the flyweight
division (– 51 kg) at the 1956 Summer Olympics
in Melbourne, Australia. In the final he defeated Mircea Dobrescu
of Romania
on points. He was also British featherweight champion from 1960 to 1961.
He was an apprentice jockey, before finding boxing more lucrative.
flyweight champion.
He had his first professional bout in April 1957, against Jim Loughrey, at Harringay Arena
, winning on a stoppage for a cut eye.
In September 1960, Spinks fought for the British featherweight title, against the holder Bobby Neill. The fight was at the Royal Albert Hall
, and Spinks won the title when the fight was stopped in the seventh due to cuts suffered by Neil.
In November 1960, the two men had a re-match at the Empire Pool, Wembley
. Spinks retained his new title by knocking Neill down three times in the fourteenth, with him finally being counted out.
In May 1961, Spinks defended his title for the second time, against the Welshman
, Howard Winstone
. The fight was at the Empire Pool, and Winstone won by a technical knockout in the tenth round.
After losing his title, Spinks continued fighting, but never challenged for a title again. He had his last fight in December 1962 against Johnny Mantle, winning by a technical knockout in the eighth.
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 28 February 1938) is a 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...
from Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, who won the gold medal in the flyweight
Flyweight
Flyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing less than 112 lb but above 108 lb .-Professional boxing:...
division (– 51 kg) at the 1956 Summer Olympics
1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, which could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations...
in Melbourne, Australia. In the final he defeated Mircea Dobrescu
Mircea Dobrescu
Mircea Dobrescu is a former boxer from Romania, who won the silver medal in the flyweight division at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. In the final he was defeated by Terence Spinks of Great Britain on points. Dobrescu competed in three consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in...
of Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
on points. He was also British featherweight champion from 1960 to 1961.
He was an apprentice jockey, before finding boxing more lucrative.
Amateur career
Spinks had 200 amateur fights, and was the 1956 ABAAmateur Boxing Association of England
The Amateur Boxing Association of England is the governing body of amateur boxing clubs in England. There are separate organisations for Scotland and Wales with boxing in Northern Ireland being organised on an All-Ireland basis. The Association was founded in 1880...
flyweight champion.
Olympic results
- Defeated Samuel Harris (Pakistan) points
- Defeated Abel LaudonioAbel LaudonioAbel Ricardo Laudonio is a retired boxer from Argentina, who competed in the Lightweight division during his career as an amateur.- Amateur career :...
(Argentina) points - Defeated Vladimir Stolnikov (Soviet Union) points
- Defeated René LibeerRené LibeerRené Libeer is a former boxer from France, who won a bronze medal in the flyweight division at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia...
(France) points - Defeated Mircea DobrescuMircea DobrescuMircea Dobrescu is a former boxer from Romania, who won the silver medal in the flyweight division at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. In the final he was defeated by Terence Spinks of Great Britain on points. Dobrescu competed in three consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in...
(Romania) points
Pro career
Spinks had 49 professional bouts of which he won 41.He had his first professional bout in April 1957, against Jim Loughrey, 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:...
, winning on a stoppage for a cut eye.
In September 1960, Spinks fought for the British featherweight title, against the holder Bobby Neill. The fight was at the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
, and Spinks won the title when the fight was stopped in the seventh due to cuts suffered by Neil.
In November 1960, the two men had a re-match at the Empire Pool, Wembley
Wembley
Wembley is an area of northwest London, England, and part of the London Borough of Brent. It is home to the famous Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena...
. Spinks retained his new title by knocking Neill down three times in the fourteenth, with him finally being counted out.
In May 1961, Spinks defended his title for the second time, against the Welshman
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, Howard Winstone
Howard Winstone
Howard Winstone, MBE was a Welsh world champion boxer, born in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. As an amateur, Winstone won the Amateur Boxing Association bantamweight title in 1958, and a Commonwealth Games Gold Medal at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Cardiff-Boxing style:In his early...
. The fight was at the Empire Pool, and Winstone won by a technical knockout in the tenth round.
After losing his title, Spinks continued fighting, but never challenged for a title again. He had his last fight in December 1962 against Johnny Mantle, winning by a technical knockout in the eighth.