Howard Winstone facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Howard WinstoneMBE |
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| Statistics | |
| Real name | Howard Winstone |
| Nickname(s) | The Welsh Wizard |
| Rated at | Featherweight |
| Nationality | Welsh |
| Born | 15 April 1939 Merthyr Tydfil, Wales |
| Died | 30 September 2000 Merthyr Tydfil, Wales |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 67 |
| Wins | 61 |
| Wins by KO | 27 |
| Losses | 6 |
| Draws | 0 |
| No contests | 0 |
Howard Winstone, who was awarded the MBE, was a famous Welsh boxer. He was born in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, on April 15, 1939. Howard became a world champion in boxing.
Before turning professional, he was a very successful amateur boxer. He won the Amateur Boxing Association bantamweight title in 1958. That same year, he won a Gold Medal at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Cardiff. Howard Winstone was often called "The Welsh Wizard" because of his amazing skills in the ring. He passed away on September 30, 2000.
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Howard Winstone's Boxing Style
When Howard was young, he used both hands strongly when he fought. But as a teenager, he had an accident at a toy factory. He lost the tips of three fingers on his right hand.
This accident meant his right hand wasn't as powerful for punching. So, Howard had to change how he fought. He learned to rely much more on his strong left hand. This change showed how determined and adaptable he was as a boxer.
Amateur Boxing Career Highlights
Howard Winstone had an amazing amateur career. He won 83 out of his 86 fights! In 1958, he became the top amateur bantamweight boxer in England.
Representing Wales at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, Howard won the gold medal in the bantamweight division. He was also honored with the BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year award three times: in 1958, 1963, and 1967.
Professional Boxing Journey
Howard Winstone started his professional boxing career in 1959. His manager was Eddie Thomas, a former European welterweight champion.
Howard's first professional fight was in February 1959 at Wembley Stadium in London. He won against Billy Graydon on points. He then went on a winning streak, winning his first 24 fights in a row! This impressive start showed he was ready to challenge for the British featherweight title.
Winning the British Title
In May 1961, Howard fought Terry Spinks for the British featherweight title. The fight took place at the Empire Pool in Wembley. Howard out-boxed Spinks, who had to stop fighting after ten rounds. This victory made Howard Winstone the new British champion.
He continued to win his fights and defended his title successfully. In April 1962, he beat Derry Treanor by a technical knockout. The next month, he defended his title again in Cardiff, forcing Harry Carroll to retire.
First Defeat and European Title
Howard's first professional loss came in November 1962. It was his 35th fight, after 34 straight wins. He was beaten by an American boxer named Leroy Jeffery. Howard was knocked down three times, and the fight was stopped in the second round.
Despite this setback, Howard kept fighting. In January 1963, he defended his British title for the third time, beating Johnny Morrisey. In July 1963, he challenged Alberto Serti for the European featherweight title in Cardiff. Howard won the title when the referee stopped the fight in the fourteenth round.
He defended both his British and European titles successfully against Billy Calvert and John O'Brien later that year. In January 1964, he had his second loss against American boxer Don Johnson. However, he continued to defend his European title, beating Lino Mastellaro in May 1964 and Yves Desmarets in January 1965.
Chasing the World Title
Battles with Vicente Saldivar
In September 1965, Howard Winstone got his first chance to fight for the world featherweight title. He challenged the Mexican champion, Vicente Saldivar, who held both the WBA and WBC titles. The fight was held in London, but Saldivar won on points after fifteen rounds.
Howard continued to defend his European title. He beat Andrea Silanos in March 1966 and Jean de Keers in September 1966. In December 1966, he defended his British and European titles against fellow Welsh boxer Lennie Williams.
In June 1967, Howard had another world title challenge against Vicente Saldivar, this time in Cardiff. It was a very close fight, but Saldivar won again on points. Four months later, in October 1967, they fought for a third time in Mexico City. This time, Saldivar was too strong, and Howard's manager stopped the fight in the twelfth round.
Becoming World Champion
After their third fight, Vicente Saldivar decided to retire, leaving his world title empty. In January 1968, Howard Winstone finally got his chance to become a world champion. He fought Mitsunori Seki from Japan for the vacant WBC world featherweight title at the Royal Albert Hall. Howard won when the fight was stopped in the ninth round because of a cut eye. He had finally achieved his dream of becoming a world champion! Saldivar was even there to see his old rival win the title he had left behind.
Losing the Title and Retirement
In July 1968, Howard defended his new world title against Jose Legra from Cuba. The fight took place in Porthcawl, Wales. Howard had beaten Legra twice before, but this time Legra knocked him down twice in the first round. Howard kept fighting, but his left eye became very swollen. The fight was stopped in the fifth round.
Having lost his world title in his very first defense, Howard Winstone decided to retire from boxing at the age of 29.
Life After Boxing
After retiring from boxing, Howard Winstone continued to live in his hometown of Merthyr Tydfil. In 1968, he was awarded the MBE for his achievements. Later, he was given the special honor of being made a Freeman of Merthyr Tydfil.
Howard Winstone passed away on September 30, 2000, at the age of 61, due to kidney disease.
Remembering a Legend
In 2001, a year after his death, a bronze statue of Howard Winstone was put up in St. Tydfil's Square in Merthyr Tydfil. The statue was created by Welsh sculptor David Petersen.
In 2005, Howard was voted the "Greatest Citizen of Merthyr Tydfil" in a public competition. This was part of celebrations for Merthyr becoming a county borough in 1905.
Howard's brother, Glyn Winstone, still runs a cafe in the town's bus station. It's called "The Lonsdale Bar," named after the famous Lonsdale boxing belt.
Film About Howard Winstone
Howard Winstone's life story was made into a movie called Risen. British actor Stuart Brennan played Howard Winstone in the film, which was released in 2011.
