Welsh, British, Commonwealth
& European Bantamweight Champion
Born: 7th January 1956
Died: 4th November 1980
Fights:
28 Won 25 Lost 2
Draw 1
'The measure of a man is not in the
number of years he has lived.
It is in the way he has lived them'.
John Richard
Owens was the fourth child born into a working
class family of eight
children in the South Wales valleys town of Merthyr Tydfil. As a child
John was quiet, shy, kind, unassuming and generous - not
characteristics
normally associated with most boxers. However, these traits he carried forward to his adult life. He never changed; success did not change him. He was
a champion in the truest sense of the word, both a champion boxer and a
champion amongst men. His appearance and character were in total contrast
to what he would become once he had stepped inside the ropes of a boxing
ring. For once inside the ring he was a formidable opponent with
determination and strength that seemingly were impossible to summon from
such a frail looking body.
Johnny Owen's style was one of perpetual motion
coupled with skill and knowledge of the noble art. Unlike his hero, Jimmy
Wilde, he was not a big puncher but would wear opponents down,
smothering their best work while putting in his own solid shots from the
first bell to the last. His thin, wiry, almost skeletal frame led to him
being called 'The Matchstick Man'. He was also referred to as 'The Bionic
Bantam' due to his dedication to training and his relentless pursuit of
opponents. 'The Bionic Skeleton' was also another nickname which described
both his skeletal frame and astonishing stamina.
School / Amateur Days
During his
school years, (he began boxing
at the age of eight), unbeknown
to his schoolmates he was quietly making a name for himself in Welsh amateur
boxing circles. He did not excel academically or on the sports field but in
the local boxing gymnasium he was becoming somewhat of an enigma. Quiet and
reserved outside of the boxing ring but a
determined and fierce exponent
within it. In a distinguished amateur
career John had 124 contests, wining 106. He represented Wales on 17
occasions, winning 15. Fiercely proud of being Welsh, even though he went on
to become Welsh,
British, Commonwealth and European Champion he always took greatest pride in
the fact that as an amateur he had represented his country and as a
professional he had won the Welsh bantamweight
title.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don’t hesitate and try the thrilling casino games like
slots,
video poker and
craps online at CasinoBellini.com!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Welsh and
British Titles
His arrival on the professional scene
was
assured when in his first professional bout (Sept.30th 1976) he
defeated the no.3 contender for the British bantamweight title, George
Sutton, of Cardiff. A win he was to repeat in his sixth contest thereby,
securing the coveted
Welsh Bantamweight Title. After only 9 fights, and with a growing reputation as a dedicated, tenacious boxer of unparalleled stamina,
Johnny Owen seized the British Bantamweight Title from seasoned
pro, Paddy Maguire with an 11th round stoppage in a bruising contest. A Welsh boxer had
not held the British Bantamweight Title for 64 years and a Welsh boxer had never
held the Commonwealth Bantamweight Title, which was the next
target........ read The Ring report
Commonwealth
Title
The opportunity arose in November 1978 - with a record of 15
wins & 1 draw
to date - against world rated Australian, Paul Ferreri. An accomplished
and skilful boxer with a considerable pedigree, Ferreri had fought at the
highest level and was thought to be too experienced and knowledgeable for
the relatively inexperienced Owen. In a gripping contest of skill from
both boxers with Johnny pursuing his usual 'in yer face at all times'
style the fight went the full distance of 15 rounds. In a clear decision
Johnny Owen was declared the new Commonwealth Bantamweight Champion. read The Ring report
European Title
farce
Just four months later, with his dedicated
army of followers from the
valleys, Johnny went to Almeria, Spain to challenge Spaniard Juan Francisco
Rodriguez for the latter's European Bantamweight title. In his first fight on
foreign soil the Welshman completely out boxed the title holder for 15 rounds- and LOST !!
It was a shameful hometown decision the like of which discredits the good name
of boxing. His first loss hurt, not least because of the manner in which
it occurred, but Johnny came through the episode with dignity and his
resilience and self-belief intact. readThe Ring report
Johnny takes European
Title
Going on to record 7 straight wins
after the
Spanish fiasco, the European title dream was back on when Rodriguez
was brought over to Wales to defend his title, almost a year later. The fight again
went the distance, however , this time there would be no controversy
surrounding the decision. Rodriguez was out boxed yet again and Johnny
Owen was rightfully proclaimed Bantamweight Champion of Europe. read The Ring report
World Title
challenge Before the fateful challenge for Lupe
Pintor's World Bantamweight Title,
Johnny Owen had secured a Lonsdale Belt outright and was the holder of the
Welsh, British, Commonwealth and European titles with a record of 25
wins, 1 loss & 1draw. He wanted that World title and who was to say that
he wouldn't get it. He
had overcome all manner of obstacles and defied the odds not just in his
boxing career but all his life. Yes, he was still shy, modest, unassuming,
skinny and with looks that were deemed not to be conventional but in his heart
he was a man of beauty. And inside the ring he was accomplished, skillful and
relentless with an indomitable fighting spirit. Sadly it was not to be......
After 9 rounds Johnny was ahead on points although the 10th and 11th
rounds had seen Pintor's heavier blows take effect before Johnny was knocked
out in the 12th round.
read The Ring report
Johnny's last
battle
The date was 19th September 1980; Johnny was taken from
the ring to a Los Angeles hospital where he lay in a coma fighting for his
life until 4th November 1980 when he lost his last battle. He was 24 years
old. During his short life John Richard Owens had achieved so much but more
importantly he had touched so many peoples hearts.
Everyone loved him - the
young admired him and wanted to emulate his achievements, for here was a true
role model. The older generation loved him for his throwback style and
impeccable characteristics. Everything he ever did was for his family, friends
and Wales.
Gwîr Fab O
Gymru - True Son of Wales
The ensuing years have seen numerous articles written about Johnny Owen
with the phrase 'tragic Johnny Owen' featuring in almost all of them. There
was nothing tragic about Johnny Owen, he died doing what he loved - boxing;
fighting to achieve the ultimate pinnacle in his sport. To become World
Champion. The only tragedy is that he did not accomplish his goal. For he has
gone on to a better place. The real tragedy is ours, those of us he has left
behind whose lives for all too short a time he touched.
class family of eight
children in the South Wales valleys town of Merthyr Tydfil. As a child
John was quiet, shy, kind, unassuming and generous - not
characteristics
normally associated with most boxers. However, these traits he carried forward to his adult life. He never changed; success did not change him. He was
a champion in the truest sense of the word, both a champion boxer and a
champion amongst men. His appearance and character were in total contrast
to what he would become once he had stepped inside the ropes of a boxing
ring. For once inside the ring he was a formidable opponent with
determination and strength that seemingly were impossible to summon from
such a frail looking body.
at the age of eight), unbeknown
to his schoolmates he was quietly making a name for himself in Welsh amateur
boxing circles. He did not excel academically or on the sports field but in
the local boxing gymnasium he was becoming somewhat of an enigma. Quiet and
reserved outside of the boxing ring but a
determined and fierce exponent
within it. In a distinguished amateur
career John had 124 contests, wining 106. He represented Wales on 17
occasions, winning 15. Fiercely proud of being Welsh, even though he went on
to become Welsh,
British, Commonwealth and European Champion he always took greatest pride in
the fact that as an amateur he had represented his country and as a
professional he had won the Welsh bantamweight
title. 
assured when in his first professional bout (Sept.30th 1976) he
defeated the no.3 contender for the British bantamweight title, George
Sutton, of Cardiff. A win he was to repeat in his sixth contest thereby,
securing the coveted
Welsh Bantamweight Title. After only 9 fights, and with a growing reputation as a dedicated, tenacious boxer of unparalleled stamina,
Johnny Owen seized the British Bantamweight Title from seasoned
pro, Paddy Maguire with an 11th round stoppage in a bruising contest. A Welsh boxer had
not held the British Bantamweight Title for 64 years and a Welsh boxer had never
held the Commonwealth Bantamweight Title, which was the next
target........ 
wins & 1 draw
to date - against world rated Australian, Paul Ferreri. An accomplished
and skilful boxer with a considerable pedigree, Ferreri had fought at the
highest level and was thought to be too experienced and knowledgeable for
the relatively inexperienced Owen. In a gripping contest of skill from
both boxers with Johnny pursuing his usual 'in yer face at all times'
style the fight went the full distance of 15 rounds. In a clear decision
Johnny Owen was declared the new Commonwealth Bantamweight Champion. 
army of followers from the
valleys, Johnny went to Almeria, Spain to challenge Spaniard Juan Francisco
Rodriguez for the latter's European Bantamweight title. In his first fight on
foreign soil the Welshman completely out boxed the title holder for 15 rounds- and LOST !!
It was a shameful hometown decision the like of which discredits the good name
of boxing. His first loss hurt, not least because of the manner in which
it occurred, but Johnny came through the episode with dignity and his
resilience and self-belief intact. 
Pintor's World Bantamweight Title,
Johnny Owen had secured a Lonsdale Belt outright and was the holder of the
Welsh, British, Commonwealth and European titles with a record of 25
wins, 1 loss & 1draw. He wanted that World title and who was to say that
he wouldn't get it. He
had overcome all manner of obstacles and defied the odds not just in his
boxing career but all his life. Yes, he was still shy, modest, unassuming,
skinny and with looks that were deemed not to be conventional but in his heart
he was a man of beauty. And inside the ring he was accomplished, skillful and
relentless with an indomitable fighting spirit. Sadly it was not to be......
After 9 rounds Johnny was ahead on points although the 10th and 11th
rounds had seen Pintor's heavier blows take effect before Johnny was knocked
out in the 12th round. 
