David William "Dai" Dower MBE, was a Welsh professional boxer who was a British, Empire and European Flyweight boxing champion, and is considered by fans and critics alike as one of the most successful Welsh boxers of all time.
16 Facts About Dai Dower
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Dai 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.
3.
On 23 March 1954, with 14 straight professional wins, Dai Dower faced current British Flyweight Champion Terry Allen in a non-title fight at 8st 2lbs.
4.
In November 1954, Dai Dower was ranked 3 in the world by The Ring magazine.
5.
Dai Dower was selected as the 'Best Young Boxer' of 1954 by the Boxing Writers' Club in February 1955.
6.
Dai Dower beat Marsden by points over the 15 round contest.
7.
Still unbeaten after 23 fights, the next title came just five months later when Dai Dower took on Nazzareno Gianelli for the European Flyweight title at Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London.
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Dai Dower was dropped in the ninth round for the first time in his career.
9.
Later in the year Dai Dower's plans were interrupted when he was called up to the army to do his two years National Service, having expected to continue working at the colliery.
10.
Dai Dower joined the Welch Regiment in October 1956, relinquishing his titles at the same time.
11.
On 30 March 1957 Dai Dower fought World Flyweight Champion Perez at Club Atletico San Lorenzo de Almagro, in Perez's home town of Buenos Aires.
12.
Dai Dower suffered a first-round defeat despite going into the fight with a weight advantage of more than five pounds.
13.
Dai Dower continued his National Service in the British Army.
14.
Dai Dower beat Eric Brett in January 1958, and a few days before his army time ended, was due to face Terry Spinks, although the fight was cancelled.
15.
Dai Dower only had one more fight, a points defeat against Canadian Pat Supple in October 1958.
16.
Dai Dower 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.