Terry Allen

Background

His mother died when he was two, and he was raised by his grandmother.

Career

Allen"s father was a professional boxer. Allen had his first professional fight in September 1942, at the age of eighteen. He beat Jim Thomas on points over six rounds at Caledonian Road Baths, Islington.

His first defeat was in May 1946, against Alex Murphy by a knockout, in the sixth round at Harringay Arena.

They fought in Monaghan’s home town of Belfast, and the result after fifteen rounds was a draw. Shortly after this fight, Monaghan retired, relinquishing his titles, and in April 1950, Allen fought Honore Pratesi of France for the vacant European and World flyweight titles.

In June 1951, Allen fought Vic Herman for the British flyweight title vacated by Rinty Monaghan. In November 1951, Allen had a re-match with Dado Marino for the World flyweight title.

In March 1952, he fought against Teddy Gardner for the British, Commonwealth and European flyweight titles.

Shortly afterwards Gardner retired leaving the titles vacant. In October 1952, Allen fought for the vacant British flyweight title, against Eric Marsden. In October 1953, he had another shot at a World title when he fought Yoshio Shirai, in Tokyo.

Allen’s last fight was an unsuccessful challenge for the vacant European flyweight title.

Allen had worked as a barrow boy at the beginning of his boxing career, and after retiring, he was able to open his own vegetable business in Islington market.

Achievements

• During his career, he became British, Commonwealth, European and World flyweight champion. He started boxing when he was nine and won a schoolboy championship. During his amateur career, he won 102 out of 107 contests. He then proceeded to win his first thirty-two fights. In 1942, during the Second World War, he joined the Royal Navy, and while stationed at Alexandria, Egypt, he fought and won fifteen bouts, between May 1944 and December 1945. He continued to win the vast majority of his fights, until, in September 1949, he challenged Rinty Monaghan, for his British, Commonwealth, European and World flyweight titles. The fight was held at Harringay Arena and Allen won on points over fifteen rounds to gain both titles. The fight was held in Honolulu and Marino won a unanimous points decision to take the title. Sneyers won on points, but the British crowd thought that Allen had won, and booed the decision. The fight was in Leicester and Allen won on points. The fight was in Honolulu, and Marino won again by a unanimous decision. The fight was held in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Gardner won on points to take all three titles. He won the title when the fight was stopped in the sixth. Unfortunately for Allen, the Japanese won a unanimous decision. He won again, this time on a disqualification in the fifth round. He fought Nazzareno Giannelli, in Milan, Italy, but the Italian won on points.

Views

In August 1950, he defended his World title against Dado Marino of the United States. In October 1950, Allen lost his European title when he defended it in Nottingham against January Sneyers of Belgium. In February 1954, Allen defended his British title against Eric Marsden, who he had beaten previously.