22 Facts About Dave Charnley

David Fraser Charnley was an English lightweight boxer considered to be one of the greatest British fighters in his weight class.

Dave Charnley won a bronze medal at the 1954 Commonwealth Games and went on to become undefeated British lightweight champion, Commonwealth lightweight champion and European lightweight champion.

Dave Charnley made two unsuccessful world title challenges against his arch-rival Joe 'Old Bones' Brown.

Dave Charnley was stopped by Brown on a cut eye in Houston, Texas, in 1959 and was narrowly out-pointed in a controversial 15 round bout in London on 18 April 1961.

Dave Charnley eventually defeated Brown in six rounds in a non-title fight in Manchester on 25 February 1963.

Dave Charnley was born in Dartford, Kent, to Scottish parents from Craigneuk, Lanarkshire.

Dave Charnley's uncle was footballer Sam Charnley who had a spell at Dartford FC and secured jobs locally for family members who moved to Kent.

Dave Charnley started competing in 1954 and turned professional the same year.

Dave Charnley became British Lightweight Champion at 21 by outpointing Joe Lucy, another southpaw, on 9 April 1957, but in his first attempt later that year to win the Empire title on 9 July he was beaten on points by Willie Toweel.

Dave Charnley challenged for the World Title at Houston, Texas on 2 December 1959, against Joe Brown but was forced to retire in the fifth round with a badly damaged eye.

Dave Charnley fought Brown again, this time in London on 18 April 1961, and lost a bitterly contested duel that many fans thought he had won.

Dave Charnley forced Vecchiatto to retire in the 10th round.

On 20 November 1961 Dave Charnley met challenger David "Darkie" Hughes of Wales for his third title and stopped the Welshman in 40 seconds, including the count, a record win in the British Lightweight class.

In 1962 Dave Charnley went to Jamaica, losing his Empire title on a close point verdict to Bunny Grant, but he won his Lonsdale Belt outright by defeating Maurice Cullen in Manchester on 20 May 1963.

Dave Charnley was then game enough to challenge the World Champion, Emile Griffith, but took a bad beating and the fight was stopped in round eight.

Dave Charnley retired from the ring in 1964 as unbeaten British Lightweight Champion.

Dave Charnley had a powerful build and large forearms and was often compared to the "Toy Bulldog" Mickey Walker, but he had good tools.

Dave Charnley had double and triple hooks and was a true scrapper with plenty of bottle.

Quiet-spoken and an introvert outside the ropes, his self-effacing modesty was no public relations gimmick; Dave Charnley was merciless once ring battle commenced.

Dave Charnley ended his career fighting welterweights and was a really tough opponent for anyone.

Dave Charnley later moved into building and property refurbishments buying land and building estates in the Dartford area.

Dave Charnley established the offices of his company in Regent Street, where the business expanded through restorations of hotels and other projects.