Terry Marsh (boxer)
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| Terry Marsh | |
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Real name | Terry Marsh |
| Rated at | Light-welterweight |
| Nationality |  British |
| Birth date | February 7, 1958 |
| Birth place |  Stepney, London, England |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 27 |
| Wins | 26 |
| Wins by KO | 10 |
| Losses | 0 |
| Draws | 1 |
| No contests | 0 |
Terry Marsh was born on 7 February 1958, in Stepney, East London, England, but later moved to Basildon, Essex, England. He was a highly talented amateur and professional boxer. His career was cut short when he was forced to retire due to illness at the age of 29, only 4 months after winning a world title. He is the only English boxer ever to retire as an undefeated World Champion.
Marsh was a Royal Marines Commando and later a fireman prior to turning professional as a boxer and would have returned to the profession if it were not for the medical reason for his retirement.
Contents |
[edit] Professional career
He had his first professional fight in October 1981, defeating Andrew DaCosta on points over six rounds, in Bloomsbury, London.
In his thirteenth fight he won the vacant Southern Area Light-Welterweight Title, defeating Vernon Vanriel on points over ten rounds, at York Hall, Bethnal Green.
In September 1984, he defeated Clinton McKenzie to take the British Light-Welterweight Title. The fight was at the Britannia Leisure Centre, Shoreditch, and Marsh won on points over twelve rounds.
In October 1985, he fought the Italian, Alessandro Scapecchi for the vacant European Light-Welterweight Title. The bout was held in Monte Carlo and Marsh won by a knock out in the seventh round.
He successfully defended his European title against Tusikoleta Nkalankete (French) in January 1986, and Francesco Prezioso (Italy) in April 1986.
On 4 March 1987, he fought the American, Joe Manley for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) World Light-Welterweight title. The fight was at his home town of Basildon, and Marsh won on a technical knockout in the tenth round.
On 1 July 1987, he defended his IBF title against Japanese fighter, Akio Kameda at the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington. Marsh won, what was to be his last fight, by a technical knockout in the seventh round.
He then retired as undefeated IBF world champion.
[edit] Personal
Marsh had to make the tough decision to retire in December 1987 after he was diagnosed with epilepsy. At this point, his life changed in a number of ways. In 1989, his manager Frank Warren was shot in London and Marsh was tried for his attempted murder. He was subsequently acquitted.
Marsh was celebrated in Pitsea, Essex in the late 1980s with the Terry Marsh Leisure Centre named in his honour. However, subsequent squabbles between local councillors have seen this renamed the Eversley Leisure Centre, although the plaque bearing his image remains.
Since then, Marsh has attempted to enter politics, first for the Labour Party. However, when Labour announced they would have a female-only short-list for Basildon, he stood for the Liberal Democrats at the 1997 General Election, but was unsuccessful.
Marsh was forced to remove himself from politics soon after, as he was charged with fraud and deception for allegedly having fraudulently claimed two student grants after going back to university at the end of his boxing career. He was later cleared of the offence.
He has since written and published his autobiography, Undefeated.
[edit] Amateur achievements
- 1978 ABA Lightweight champion
- 1980 ABA Welterweight champion
- 1981 ABA Welterweight champion
- 1981 Multi-Nations Gold Medalist - Manila
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Joe Manley |
IBF Light Welterweight Champion 4 Mar 1987–1987 (retires) |
Succeeded by Buddy McGirt |
