Dave Boy Green

David Robert Green MBE (born 2 June 1953), better known as Dave Boy Green, is a former British professional boxer who competed from 1974 to 1981. He challenged twice for the WBC welterweight title; first in 1977 against Carlos Palomino and again in 1980 against Sugar Ray Leonard. At regional level, he held the British and European super-lightweight titles in 1976, becoming the first British fighter to hold the latter,[1] and the European welterweight title in 1979.

Dave Boy Green
Statistics
Real nameDavid Robert Green
Nickname(s)Fenland Tiger
Weight(s)
NationalityEnglish
Born (1953-06-02) 2 June 1953
Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, England
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights41
Wins37
Wins by KO29
Losses4

Early life

Green was born on 2 June 1953, in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, a small fenland town. His father was a farmer and so Green's first experience of work was helping out around the family farm.[2] He attended Cromwell School where he was keen on football and cross country running, but took up boxing in 1967 after joining the Chatteris Amateur Boxing Club. He was trained by Arthur Binder who had taught Eric Boon, a famous local boxer. Green had 105 amateur contests, winning 84 with 33 inside the distance.[3]

Professional career

In 1974, Green turned professional under the guidance of manager Andy Smith. He made his professional debut on 10 December 1974, when he beat Yotham Kunda by knockout in the second round. Green went on to achieve 15 straight wins, earning a shot at the British light-welterweight title.[4]

British light-welterweight champion

On 1 June 1976, Green entered the ring in a tiger-skin dressing-gown to win the British light-welterweight title against Joey Singleton with powerful hooks to the head and body.[5] Though receiving stinging jabs all the while, Singleton was the better boxer, but Green's power began to show. The crowd wanted Green to deliver his "muck spreader" punch, but his boxing lead to a retirement in the sixth round.

European light-welterweight champion

On 7 December 1976 Green took on the Pride of Paris, Jean-Baptiste Piedvache, for the vacant European light-welterweight title. Green was staggered in the eighth round but Piedvache's left eye was beginning to close. With a strong right and left hooks, Green retired Piedvache in the ninth round while ahead on points. It was Green's 22nd straight win with 18 inside the distance.[4]

On 29 March 1977, Green fought John H. Stracey at Wembley as a final eliminator to challenge for the WBC welterweight title. Stracey was a former WBC welterweight champion from the tough East End of London. The odds appeared to be even going into the bout, but Green went on to win the match due to Stracey's left eye starting to close.[6]

Challenger for world title

Green vs. Palomino

On 14 June 1977, Green challenged Carlos Palomino for the WBC welterweight title at Empire Pool. Fortunes swayed with Green digging deep, his left eye closing, but Palomino boxed superbly to win by a left-hook knockout in the 11th round. It was the first time Green had been floored as a professional. After his loss, Green's next bout was against fellow British boxer Andy Price, beating him on points.[7]

European welterweight champion

On 29 January 1979, Green challenged Henry Rhiney for the European welterweight title. It was an all-British fight with all the tickets sold. The bout started at a terrific pace both men going toe-to-toe. A solid right to the head of Rhiney led Mr. Nathan to stop the fight, making Green a dual European Champion, and the first Englishman to do so since Ted Lewis in 1920.[8]

On 28 June 1979, Green defended his European welterweight title against Dane Jørgen Hansen. Green knocked Hansen down in the second round, but the Dane fought on, knocking Green down twice in the third, and forcing the referee to stop the bout. Being a true sportsman Green applauded Hansen when the belt was presented.[8]

Green vs. Leonard

The final challenge for the WBC welterweight title happened on 31 March 1980 against the holder Sugar Ray Leonard at the Capital Centre Landover, Maryland US. Green suffered a devastating knockout in the fourth round being out cold before he hit the canvas. Referee Arthur Mercante, ruled that it was too dangerous to continue the count and stopped at six.[9] The Times reported "Leaning forward, dipping to left and right so that either hand could hit with equal venom, Leonard struck Green with a left and followed up quickly with a right-left-right, that started a clangour in Green's head, and the Briton crashed onto his back at the same place in the ring where Carlos Palomino had sent him toppling backwards".[10]

Later career

After his loss to Leonard, Green returned to the ring on 14 November 1980, against American Mario Mendez, stopping him in the second round. Green's final bout, on 3 November 1981, was at the Royal Albert Hall against Reg Ford a New York-based Guyanese who was a one time sparring partner to Thomas Hearns. Andy Smith retired Green in the fifth round with cuts and a closing left eye.

After boxing

Green appeared in the BBC Series Superstars where he competed in the multi discipline event against other sports stars.

Currently Green is Chairman of Renoak Limited in Chatteris, a company he founded with Bob Emerson. Dave takes part in charity golf events. His success can be summed up by Sugar Ray Leonard, "Dave was a brave fighting man who never gave less than one hundred per cent whenever he put the gloves on. He is a warm human being who does tremendous work for charity, and I'm thrilled he has made such a success in business".

Green married Kay Curson on 26 October 1974. They have a son and twin daughters.[11] In 2012, Green was awarded an MBE for services to Boxing and Charity in the Cambridgeshire area.[12]

Professional boxing record
Professional record summary
41 fights 37 wins 4 losses
By knockout 29 4
By decision 8 0
Draws 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
41 Loss 37–4 Reggie Ford RTD 5 (10), 3:00 3 Nov 1981 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
40 Win 37–3 Danny Long TKO 4 (10), 1:30 2 Jun 1981 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
39 Win 36–3 Jose Ramon Gomez Fouz PTS 8 24 Feb 1981 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
38 Win 35–3 Gary Holmgren TKO 6 (8), 2:38 27 Jan 1981 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
37 Win 34–3 Mario Mendez TKO 2 (10) 14 Nov 1980 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
36 Loss 33–3 Sugar Ray Leonard KO 4 (15), 2:27 31 Mar 1980 Capital Centre, Landover, Maryland, US For WBC welterweight title
35 Win 33–2 Dick Eklund PTS 10 4 Dec 1979 Empire Pool, London, England
34 Win 32–2 Steve Michalerya TKO 3 (10), 2:04 25 Sep 1979 Empire Pool, London, England
33 Loss 31–2 Jørgen Hansen KO 3 (12) 14 May 1979 Randers Hallen, Randers, Denmark Lost European welterweight title
32 Win 31–1 Rafael Rodriguez TKO 8 (10) 26 Jun 1979 Conference Centre, London, England
31 Win 30–1 Lawrence Hafey TKO 5 (10) 1 May 1979 Empire Pool, London, England
30 Win 29–1 Henry Rhiney TKO 5 (12) 29 Jan 1979 Royal Albert Hall, London, England Won European welterweight title
29 Win 28–1 Sammy Masias KO 1 (10) 5 Dec 1978 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
28 Win 27–1 Aundra Love TKO 8 (10) 7 Nov 1978 Empire Pool, London, England
27 Win 26–1 Roy Johnson KO 4 (10) 21 Feb 1978 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
26 Win 25–1 Andy Price PTS 10 27 Sep 1977 Empire Pool, London, England
25 Loss 24–1 Carlos Palomino KO 11 (15), 2:05 14 Jun 1977 Empire Pool, London, England For WBC welterweight title
24 Win 24–0 John H. Stracey TKO 10 (10), 1:40 29 Mar 1977 Empire Pool, London, England
23 Win 23–0 Mario Omar Guillotti PTS 10 22 Feb 1977 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
22 Win 22–0 Jean-Baptiste Piedvache RTD 9 (15), 3:00 7 Dec 1976 Royal Albert Hall, London, England Won vacant European super-lightweight title
21 Win 21–0 Jimmy Heair PTS 10 9 Nov 1976 Empire Pool, London, England
20 Win 20–0 Ramiro Bolanos TKO 4 (10), 1:30 26 Oct 1976 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
19 Win 19–0 Ugo Di Pietro KO 1 (10), 2:12 12 Oct 1976 Empire Pool, London, England
18 Win 18–0 Jean Pierre Younsi TKO 1 (10), 2:50 14 Sep 1976 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
17 Win 17–0 Ernesto Bergamasco TKO 5 (10), 0:21 22 Jun 1976 Empire Pool, London, England
16 Win 16–0 Joey Singleton RTD 6 (15), 3:00 1 Jun 1976 Royal Albert Hall, London, England Won British super-lightweight title
15 Win 15–0 Herbie McLean RTD 4 (10), 3:00 27 Apr 1976 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
14 Win 14–0 Jim Montague PTS 8 6 Apr 1976 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
13 Win 13–0 Giuseppe Minotti TKO 4 (8), 2:02 20 Mar 1976 Empire Pool, London, England
12 Win 12–0 Billy Waith TKO 11 (12), 2:35 2 Mar 1976 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
11 Win 11–0 George McGurk KO 2 (10), 2:50 20 Jan 1976 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
10 Win 10–0 Alan Salter TKO 1 (10), 1:25 25 Nov 1975 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
9 Win 9–0 Brian Jones KO 2 (10), 0:55 10 Nov 1975 Guild Hall, Cambridge, England
8 Win 8–0 Al Stewart TKO 2 (8), 2:45 14 Oct 1975 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
7 Win 7–0 Angus McMillan PTS 8 3 Jun 1975 Royal Albert Hall, London, England
6 Win 6–0 Tommy Joyce KO 3 (8), 2:35 12 May 1975 Hilton Hotel, London, England
5 Win 5–0 George Salmon PTS 8 8 Apr 1975 Sporting Club, Cambridge, England
4 Win 4–0 Barton Mcallister TKO 2 (6), 2:50 11 Mar 1975 Empire Pool, London, England
3 Win 3–0 Derek Simpson RTD 7 (8), 3:00 12 Feb 1975 Guild Hall, Cambridge, England
2 Win 2–0 Dave Coombs KO 2 (6), 1:56 20 Jan 1975 Hilton Hotel, London, England
1 Win 1–0 Yotham Kunda KO 2 (6) 10 Dec 1974 Ice Rink, Nottingham, England
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See also
  • List of British light-welterweight boxing champions
  • List of European Boxing Union welterweight champions
  • List of European Boxing Union light welterweight champions

References
  1. Lloyd, pp. 30–31.
  2. Lloyd, p. 25.
  3. Lloyd, p. 27.
  4. "Dave "Boy" Green: The Lad Who Loved a Dust Up". Ringside Report. 13 February 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  5. Fen Tiger The Success of Dave "Boy" Green Lonkhurst, B: Potters Bar, BL Associates, 2004 ISBN 0-9540271-2-4
  6. Lloyd, p. 30.
  7. "Green vows: Price will pay". Sports Argus. 24 September 1977. Retrieved 18 November 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. Lloyd, p. 32.
  9. Berger, Phil (8 November 1988). "Leonard Knocks Out Lalonde to Win Two Titles". Sarasota Herald Tribune, April 2, 1980. Retrieved 2 April 2018 – via news.google.com.
  10. The Times, Tuesday, Apr 01, 1980; p. 27; Issue 60590; col C
  11. Lloyd, p. 29.
  12. "Dave 'Boy' Green: Honoured". Boxing News Online. 14 August 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2018.

Bibliography
  • Lloyd, Melanie (2017). Sweet Fighting Man: Ring of Truth. Pitch Publishing, Durrington. ISBN 978-1-78531-315-8.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Preceded by
Henry Rhiney		 European welterweight champion
29 January 1979 – 14 May 1979		 Succeeded by
Jørgen Hansen
Vacant
Title last held by
Cemal Kamaci		 European light-welterweight champion
7 December 1976
Vacated		 Vacant
Title next held by
Primo Bandini
Preceded by
Joey Singleton		 British light-welterweight champion
1 June 1976
Vacated		 Vacant
Title next held by
Colin Powers
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