Turning pro / Welsh Title
After a brilliant amateur
career during which he won
the A.B.A. Lightweight title in 1946 Eddie Thomas turned professional,
immediately recording 6 straight wins that year. Two years later Eddie
secured his first title by taking the Welsh welterweight
championship in a 10 round decision over Jack Phillips. Prior to winning
the Welsh title Eddie had lost two of his previous 14 fights but the
confidence that comes with winning a title set him on the road to a winning
streak of 22 fights which was to take in the
championships
of Britain and Europe.
British Title
Seven months after taking the Welsh title, Eddie Thomas
was faced with his toughest opponent to date, Billy Graham. A class
fighter, Billy Graham was a major contender for the World welterweight
title. However, Billy could not find an answer to Eddie's classic style,
beautiful left hand and clever footwork, losing a 10 round decision to the
Welshman. Eddie was truly on his way. Nine months later having achieved
another 3 wins, most notably against Ernie Roderick who was a wonderfully
skilled fighter, Eddie took the British title from reigning champion Henry
Hall. The British title fight was a closely fought affair with Eddie
putting the champion on the canvas in the thirteenth round before having
his arm raised as the new champion at the end of the 15 round fight.
Elated by his win Eddie led the hordes of Welsh fans in singing 'Bless
This House'. The Welsh are renowned for their singing and Eddie had a
fine voice indeed.
Empire Title
After another string of impressive wins Eddie headed
for Johannesburg, South Africa to challenge Pat Patrick for his Empire
welterweight title. A hard contest ensued with the strong champion taking
the fight to his more skilful challenger. Eddie, boxing superbly made his
superior skills tell. As the champion came at him, Eddie picked his shots
intelligently, using a varied selection of punches to pick off the
champion as he came in. As the fight progressed Eddie Thomas was looking
more and more like the new champion he was to become. The end came in the
13th round. After being put down by a right hook, Pat Patrick took another
tremendous right to the jaw and was counted out. Eddie Thomas now ruled
the welterweight championships of Britain and the Empire.
European Title
Michele Palermo, of Italy, was the European welterweight champion and the
next opponent in
Eddie's
sights. Palermo had taken part in over 100 fights in which he had
been stopped just once. Recognized as a real tough customer who
adopted a forceful attacking style Palermo was going to be no
pushover. So it was to some surprise that the European champion
found himself on the canvas in the very first round. He got up
immediately and proceeded to attack Eddie throughout the contest.
But attack as he may, Eddie had all the answers and completely out
boxed Palermo over the 15 round distance. The skilful Welshman was
declared European welterweight champion.
Having beaten Antonio Monzon over 10 rounds in his next
fight, Eddie made his first defense of his European title, in June 1951,
against Frenchman Charles Humez. In a battling display having been cut
over both eyes, Eddie was to see the championship slip from his grasp with
a 15 round points decision going against him. Just four months later Wally
Thom took Eddie's remaining titles in a fight that Eddie really should
have won. However, Eddie simply didn't do enough and Thom took
the verdict.
Two World Championship
successes
Three years later having contested seven more fights - with mixed fortunes
- Eddie Thomas hung up his gloves. This was only the
beginning of another successful chapter in Eddie's life. He went on
to become an accomplished businessman (amongst varied business interests Eddie
owned a coal mine), world renowned cutsman and was manager of both Howard Winstone and Ken Buchanan
who both won World titles under Eddie's guidance.
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