Pat Thomas (boxer)

Last updated

Pat Thomas
Statistics
Weight(s) Light-middleweight
Welterweight
NationalityFlag of Saint Kitts and Nevis.svg  Saint Kitts and Nevis
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
Born5 May 1950
Saint Kitts
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights57
Wins35
Wins by KO14
Losses18
Draws3
No contests1

Pat Thomas (born 5 May 1950) was a Light-middleweight boxer, originally from Saint Kitts and Nevis, who took British citizenship and won two British boxing titles in the 1970s and 80s. After leaving Saint Kitts, Thomas settled in Cardiff in Wales, and is recognised as a Welsh fighter taking the Welsh light middleweight Championship in 1977. [1]

Contents

Boxing career

Thomas' first professional bout was at welterweight, fought in Manchester against Ray Farell, himself a fairly novice boxer with only two professional matches to his name. Thomas won by knockout in the second round, and this started a nine match unbeaten run, though none of his seven wins after Farell coming through knockout. His first defeat was a points decision to Alan Reid at the end of 1971, a fighter who he had faced and beaten six months earlier.

Thomas' next bout was in 1972, against Jimmy Fairweather in Walworth, saw Thomas now fighting in eight-round matches. A win over Fairweather was followed by victories over Mickey Flynn and Phil Dykes, before being disqualified in an encounter with Charlie Cooper. At the start of 1973, he beat Des Rea, the Irish Welterweight Champion by a points decision; this was followed by two more wins before he faced Rea again, this time beating him by technical knockout in the fourth round. 1973 ended just like the previous two years, with a defeat, a narrow points loss to Trevor Francis at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. The next year saw Thomas begin one of the most successful periods of his career, going on a twelve match unbeaten run. On 15 December 1975, Thomas faced Pat MacCormack for the vacant British Welterweight title. He knocked MacCormack down twice, before winning by knockout in the thirteenth and in the process became the first immigrant fighter to win the British Welterweight title. [2]

After a win over Jim Devanny in February 1976, Thomas fought Italian Marco Scano in Cagliari, for the vacant European Welterweight title. Thomas was outclassed losing by knockout in the second round. This was followed by Thomas' second overseas match, facing Jørgen Hansen in Denmark; Thomas lost by technical knockout in the third. Back in Britain, Thomas successfully defended his welterweight title against Trevor Francis, but then lost the belt when he was knocked out by Henry Rhiney in Luton.

After losing the welterweight title, Thomas went up a weight division, now fighting at light-middleweight. He began in the new division by taking the Welsh Light-middleweight title from Dave Davies, who had beaten Thomas three times in the amateurs, [3] in early 1977. Despite the encounter being for a Welsh title, the match took place at The Stadium in Liverpool, the fight being part of the undercard for John Conteh's WBC World Championship bout with Len Hutchins. [4] Thomas' light-middleweight career was far more chequered than his time as a welterweight, losing to Larry Paul, before beating Rhiney and then drawing with Tony Sibson. In 1978 Thomas spent much of his time fighting outside Britain, but with little success. He fought twice in Netherlands, a win and a loss, which were followed by three straight loses, against former Olympic Lightweight Champion Chris Clarke in Canada, then French Champion Claude Martin and finally Spanish fighter Andoni Amana in Bilbao.

His fortunes changed on British soil, with wins over Salvo Nucifero and Robbie Davies, before losing to Kenny Bristol in a fight for the vacant British Empire Light-middleweight title by a unanimous points decision. [5] The very next fight was another title decider, this time for the British Light-middleweight belt on 11 September 1979. In that encounter he beat Jimmy Batten in the ninth round to take his second British title; though Batten later stated that he felt he had given the title away as he wasn't in the correct frame of mind due to personal problems. [6] Thomas defended his title successfully twice, knocking out Dave Proud in the seventh and then stopping Steve Hopkin in the final round with a badly cut eye. His third defence ended in defeat, losing to Hensol Graham by points. This was the start of a six-round losing streak that only ended with his retirement from boxing in 1984.

Professional boxing record

35 Wins (14 knockouts, 21 decisions), 18 Losses (4 knockouts, 14 decisions), 3 Draws, 1 No Contest
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes
Loss7-0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Pyatt PTS1015 Mar 1984 Flag of England.svg Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
Loss11-0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Graeme Ahmed PTS1031 Aug 1982 County Flag of Tyne & Wear.png Buddy's Night Club, South Shields, United Kingdom 98-98.5.
Loss13-3-3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Brian Anderson PTS1021 May 1982 Flag of England.svg Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, United Kingdom 96.5-100.
Loss7-2-1 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Darwin Brewster PTS1026 Apr 1982 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg STAR Centre, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom 96.5-99.5.
Loss33-0 Flag of Mauritania.svg Nino La Rocca TKO413 Nov 1981 Flag of Italy.svg Rome, Italy
Loss16-0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Herol Graham PTS1524 Mar 1981 Flag of Yorkshire.svg Sheffield City Hall, Sheffield, United Kingdom BBBofC British Light Middleweight Title. 143-150.
Win14-1-2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Steve Hopkin TKO1516 Sep 1980 Flag of England.svg Wembley Conference Centre, Wembley, London, United Kingdom BBBofC British Light Middleweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 2:25 of the 15th round.
Win9-6 Flag of the Netherlands Antilles.svg "Fighting" Jim Richards PTS83 Jun 1980 Flag of England.svg Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, United Kingdom 80-76.5.
Win28-3-1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dave Proud KO711 Dec 1979 Flag of Buckinghamshire.svg Bletchley Leisure Centre, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom BBBofC British Light Middleweight Title.
Win28-3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jimmy Batten TKO911 Sep 1979 Flag of England.svg Wembley Conference Centre, Wembley, London, United Kingdom BBBofC British Light Middleweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 1:15 of the ninth round.
Loss9-0 Flag of Guyana.svg Kenny Bristol UD1529 Jul 1979 Flag of Guyana.svg National Sports Hall, Georgetown, Guyana Commonwealth Light Middleweight Title.
Win9-1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Robbie Davies PTS125 Apr 1979 Flag of England.svg Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom BBBofC British Light Middleweight Title Eliminator. 118-117.
Win9-3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Salvo Nucifero TKO127 Nov 1978 Flag of Northamptonshire.svg Civic Sports Centre, Kettering, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom
Loss17-0 Flag of Spain.svg Andoni Amana PTS105 Oct 1978 Flag of Spain.svg Bilbao, Spain
Loss25-3-1 Flag of France.svg Claude "General" Martin PTS1023 Sep 1978 Flag of France.svg Saint-Malo, France BBBofC British Light Middleweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 2:25 of the 15th round.
Loss13-0 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Chris Clarke UD81 Aug 1978 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Win4-0 Flag of Turkey.svg Agamil Yilderim PTS829 May 1978 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Rotterdam Ahoy Sportpaleis, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Loss8-0 Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Marijan Benes PTS816 Jan 1978 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Rotterdam, Netherlands
Draw17-0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Sibson PTS818 Oct 1977 Flag of England.svg Wolverhampton Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
Win25-10-6 Flag of Jamaica.svg Henry Rhiney PTS814 Jun 1977 Flag of England.svg Empire Pool, Wembley, London, United Kingdom
Loss28-6-1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Larry Paul DQ527 May 1977 Flag of England.svg Digbeth Institute, Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom BBBofC British Light Middleweight Title Eliminator.
Win6-6-2 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg "Boxing" Dave DaviesTKO85 Mar 1977 Flag of England.svg Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom BBBofC Welsh Light Middleweight Title.
Loss22-9-6 Flag of Jamaica.svg Henry Rhiney TKO87 Dec 1976 Bedfordshire County Flag.svg Luton Caesar's Palace, Luton, United Kingdom BBBofC British Welterweight Title.
Win20-8-6 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg "Boxing" Trevor FrancisPTS1522 Sep 1976 Flag of England.svg Hilton Hotel, Mayfair, London, United Kingdom BBBofC British Welterweight Title. 147.5-147.
Loss40-9 Flag of Denmark.svg Jørgen Hansen TKO33 Jun 1976 Flag of Denmark.svg K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Loss33-3-2 Flag of Italy.svg Marco Scano KO29 Apr 1976 Flag of Italy.svg Palazzo Dello Sport, Cagliari, Italy EBU Welterweight Title.
Win16-8-5 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jim Devanney TKO816 Feb 1976 Flag of England.svg Arden Sporting Club, Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom
Win30-17-1 Flag of Ireland.svg Pat McCormack KO1315 Dec 1975 Flag of England.svg Manor Place Baths, Walworth, London, United Kingdom BBBofC British Welterweight Title.
Win7-3-1 Flag of Germany.svg Peter Scheibner PTS88 Jul 1975 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Double Diamond Club, Caerphilly, United Kingdom 79.5-76.5.
Win7-1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jeff Gale TKO112 Jun 1975 Flag of England.svg National Sporting Club, Piccadilly, London, United Kingdom BBBofC British Welterweight Title Eliminator.
Win9-9 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jim Montague KO528 Apr 1975 Flag of Scotland.svg Albany Hotel, Glasgow, United Kingdom
Win13-4-2 Flag of Jamaica.svg Henry Rhiney PTS84 Dec 1974 Flag of England.svg National Sporting Club, Piccadilly, London, United Kingdom
Draw10-4-2 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Kenny Webber PTS1025 Sep 1974 Flag of England.svg Midland Sporting Club, Solihull, West Midlands, United Kingdom
Win11-3-1 Flag of Jamaica.svg Henry Rhiney PTS825 Jun 1974 Flag of England.svg National Sporting Club, Piccadilly, London, United Kingdom
Win21-15-1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mickey FlynnPTS822 Apr 1974 Flag of England.svg National Sporting Club, Piccadilly, London, United Kingdom
Win15-14-1 Flag of Scotland.svg "Scottish" John Smith PTS818 Mar 1974 Flag of England.svg National Sporting Club, Piccadilly, London, United Kingdom
Win29-33-5 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Des Rea TKO427 Feb 1974 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
Win16-9-5 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Les Pearson KO121 Jan 1974 Flag of England.svg National Sporting Club, Piccadilly, London, United Kingdom
Loss9-3-1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg "Boxing" Trevor FrancisPTS821 Nov 1973 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom 78-78.5.
Win29-31-4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Des Rea TKO45 Oct 1973 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
Win16-8-3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Les Pearson PTS826 Sep 1973 Flag of England.svg Midland Sporting Club, Solihull, West Midlands, United Kingdom
Win19-15-1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Amos Talbot PTS812 Mar 1973 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Anglo-Welsh Sporting Club, Caerphilly, United Kingdom 39.75-38.5.
Win27-25-2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Des Rea PTS815 Jan 1973 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Double Diamond Club, Caerphilly, United Kingdom
Loss10-0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Charlie CooperDQ722 Nov 1972 Flag of Essex.svg Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, United Kingdom
Win7-11-1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Phil Dykes TKO319 Sep 1972 FlagOfLancashire.PNG King's Hall, Manchester, United Kingdom
Win13-8 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Mickey FlynnPTS815 May 1972 Flag of England.svg Mayfair Sporting Club, Mayfair, London, United Kingdom 39.5-39.
Win5-7 Flag of Jamaica.svg Jimmy Fairweather PTS820 Apr 1972 Flag of England.svg Manor Place Baths, Walworth, London, United Kingdom
Loss4-6-1 Flag of Scotland.svg "Boxing" Alan ReidPTS611 Oct 1971 FlagOfLancashire.PNG Manchester, United Kingdom
Win4-2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Johnny Shields PTS617 May 1971 FlagOfLancashire.PNG Hotel Piccadilly, Manchester, United Kingdom
Win7-8 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Bagshaw PTS63 May 1971 Flag of Lincolnshire.svg Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom
Draw3-10 Flag of Ghana.svg Mohammed Ellah PTS620 Apr 1971 Flag of Monmouthshire.svg Newport, Monmouthshire, United Kingdom
Win4-3-1 Flag of Scotland.svg "Boxing" Alan ReidPTS629 Mar 1971 FlagOfLancashire.PNG Manchester, United Kingdom
Win10-10-2 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Tony Burnett DQ423 Mar 1971 Flag of Monmouthshire.svg Newport, Monmouthshire, United Kingdom
No Contest7-7 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Bagshaw NC422 Feb 1971 FlagOfLancashire.PNG Manchester, United Kingdom
Win3-9 Flag of Ghana.svg Mohammed Ellah PTS69 Feb 1971 Flag of Monmouthshire.svg Newport, Monmouthshire, United Kingdom
Win7-5 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg "Boxing" Keith WhitePTS612 Jan 1971 Flag of England.svg Shoreditch Town Hall, Shoreditch, London, United Kingdom
Win1-0-1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ray "The Dart" Farrell KO214 Dec 1970 FlagOfLancashire.PNG Manchester, United Kingdom

See also

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References