Dave Needham dies at 57...

[rob237 89]

Champion boxer Dave Needham, subject of some recent discussion within the forum, has died...

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/Dou...il/article.html

Cheers

Robt P.

[Beefsteak 305]

RIP Dave Needham

[mick2me 3,033]

An early death too.

Sad. I wonder if there will be a Statue of him put up somwhere?

[radfordred 6,284]

A look back at his career from the Post.

BOXING purists will tell you that Nottingham's David Needham – who has died at the age of 58 – should have done better.

That he retired too early at the age of 28.

That the aptly-named "Artful Dodger" should have won more than his two British titles.

The truth is that he probably would have, but for his propensity to suffer cuts around the eyes.

A colourful character who liked a drink, he fell foul of the long arm of the law on several occasions – usually for motoring offences. Indeed, in 1987 he was sentenced to two months in jail following a high-speed car chase , fortunately, he was equally nippy around the ring.

Many people don't realise that although Needham retired at a relatively early age, he had a long career.

As well as having 39 pro fights (won 30, drew one) he was also a top amateur.

Joining the Nottingham School of Boxing at the age of 11, he won the ABA title in 1969 and defended it the following year against Paddy Maguire. They were to cross swords again in the pro ranks.

Needham boxed 26 times for England and won Commonwealth gold in Scotland. It was England's first boxing gold in 36 years and added to the silver medal he won in a multi-nations tournament in Czechoslovakia.

Needham turned pro in 1970, at the age of 19, under another local favourite, Johnny Pritchett.

He made his debut the following January in sensational style, knocking out Jimmy Killeen inside the first round at the Anglo-American Sporting Club in Piccadilly.

It sparked a run of 24 wins, culminating in a points win over Maguire for the vacant British bantamweight title.

Needham boxed superbly that night – over 15 thrilling rounds at the Nottingham Ice Stadium in December, 1974 – to protect a cut over his right eye.

The following year, Needham travelled to France to challenge Daniel Trioulaire for the European title. It was not quite as prestigious as Needham had expected and he ended up fighting in a car park in the Frenchman's home town. Most thought Needham had won, but he only came away with a draw.

The disappointment he felt over that was nothing compared to his mood after his next fight, when he lost his British title in a re-match with Maguire in Mayfair.

This time Needham was stopped on a cut after 14 of the scheduled 15 rounds.

Three more defeats followed for cut-prone Needham – now managed by Micky Duff – including a fifth round TKO by Alan Richardson, in a British featherweight title eliminator.

Needham got back on track by beating the highly-rated Vernon Sollas in seven at the Civic Hall in Wolverhampton.

It set him up nicely for a return with Richardson at the World Sporting Club in Piccadilly and the Nottingham man duly lifted another Lonsdale belt after 15 absorbing rounds– despite being cut as early as the first round.

Suddenly there was talk of a step up into the big time and a clash with WBC champion Danny Lopez.

Instead, Needham travelled to Spain and was stopped in five by pugnacious Spaniard Roberto Castanon. A £7,000 purse was some compensation for missing out on the European title.

The following year, Needham beat George Sutton on points over eight rounds in Nottingham. It was his first appearance in his hometown for four years as he topped the bill at the inaugural Great International Sporting Club (Midlands) show at the Commodore run by Mick Pownall and Chris Gibson.

It was a good warm-up before Needham defended his title against Pat Cowdell in Wolverhampton.

He looked to have lost to the local man and there was consternation when referee Sid Nathan gave him a 147-146 verdict.

It almost sparked a riot and the referee had to be given a police escort. The British Boxing Board of Control ordered a re-match – at the Royal Albert Hall – and this time referee Jim Brimmell gave Cowdell the nod by a single point.

Needham was retired after five rounds against Charm Chiteule in Zambia when he challenged for the Commonwealth crown. It followed a draining ten-and-a-half-hour flight after a lengthy delay in London.

There were no training facilities and no sparring and Needham soon fell victim to the scorching heat in Lusaka.

Disillusioned, Needham decided to retire after losing his rubber match with Cowdell on a 12th round TKO. He was only 28.

After that, he concentrated on the family motorcycle business with his brother in Nottingham.

Needham died last month from liver problems at a hospital in Thailand, where