Dave “Boy” Green is a former British welterweight boxing champion and businessman….boxing under the moniker as the “Fen Tiger”. In his youth at Cromwell School he was into soccer and cross-country….but took up boxing in 1967 after joining the Chatteris Amateur Boxing Club….with his trainer Arthur Binder being the one who had taught Eric Boon, a famous local boxer. Green had 105 amateur contests winning 74 with 41 KO’s. In 1974, Green turned professional under the guidance of Andy Smith his manager. On 1 June 1976, Green entered the ring in a tiger-skin dressing-gown to win the British light-welterweight championship (Lonsdale Belt) against Joey “The Jab” Singleton of Liverpool by landing powerful hooks to the head and body and although Green was receiving stinging jabs….due to the fact that Singleton was the better boxer….but Dave Boy’s power began to show….as the crowd wanted Green to deliver his “muck spreader” punch but his boxing lead to TKO in 6th round. On 7 December 1976 Green took on the Pride of Paris Jean-Baptiste Piedvache for the European light welterweight championship….and even though Green was staggered in the 8th round….Piedvache’s left eye was closing by then….so, with a strong right and left hooks Green TKO’s Piedvache in the 9th round while ahead on points. It was Green’s 22nd straight win with 18 KO’s….then Green fought John H. Stracey on 29 March 1977 at Wembley….as a final eliminator to challenge for the WBC title. Stracey was a former WBC world champion from the tough East End of London….for it was anybody’s fight….but Green’s desire for victory won through as Stracey’s left eye started to close. There could be no doubt Green had earned a shot at the WBC title.
Dave Boy Green took on Henry Rhine….a Jamaican who boxed out of Luton….winning a sellout fight with an all British fight card…..as the bout started at a terrific pace with both men going toe-to-toe….then a solid right to the head of Rhiney ended the fight….and Green was a dual European champion as the first Englishman since Ted “Kid” Lewis in 1920. Dave Boy Green’s first WBC welterweight bout was on 14 June 1977 against Carlos Palomino…losing a superbly fought match by a left-hook KO in 11th round….as this was the first time Green had been floored as a professional. Due to money the WBC champion Wilfred Benitez contracted to fight Sugar Ray Leonard….meant that Green had to defend his European title against the experienced 36-year-old Dane Jorgen Hansen on 28 June 1979….and while looking for a quick finish….Green left himself open being KO in the 3rd round by a vicious right.
In this video seen herewith, Green has his final challenge for the WBC welterweight belt…which happened on March 31, 1980 against the Champ Sugar Ray Leonard at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland….Green suffers 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. The Times Newspaper 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.” Green showed lots of spirit but he did not have the answer to Sugar Ray Leonard’s masterly boxing skill and timing.
His opponent in this fight, Sugar Ray Leonard, is one of the certified boxing legends of the golden age of boxing from 1964 – 1995….who won 17 different NABF, WBA, WBC, IBF, Lineal and Ring titles in the welterweight, light middleweight, middleweight and light heavyweight divisions….while having fought other legends of the golden age of boxing like Thomas Hearns (2), Roberto Duran (3), Marvin Hagler….along with super great boxers like Hector Camacho, Wilfred Benitez, Ayube Kalule and Jose Napoles….in a career that ended with 36 wins 3 losses 1 draw with 25 KO’s.
This fight with Dave Boy Green was a wonderful action fight as long as it lasted…..which is well worth watching….as it presents a keen example of the power that Sugar Ray had…..something that wasn’t always at the front of discussion about this awesome boxing legend.
