Dick Turpin (boxer)


Lionel "Dick" Turpin was an English middleweight boxer. He was British and Commonwealth middleweight champion, reputedly being the first black fighter to win a British boxing title. He was elder brother and trainer of the more famous Randolph Turpin, who became world middleweight champion after beating Sugar Ray Robinson in 1951.
Dick was the son of Lionel Turpin who had been born in British Guyana and his wife, Beatrice Elizabeth Whitehouse. He had two brothers Jack, who was a featherweight and Randolph, a middleweight.

Professional career

Turpin fought his first professional bout in March 1939 against Jimmy Griffiths, in Coventry. He lost on points over ten rounds.
He went on to build up a domestic record of 86 fights with 68 wins, 12 losses, 5 draws and one no-contest, before his first title fight. This was for the Commonwealth middleweight title, in May 1948, and was against Richard Bos Murphy of New Zealand. Turpin won the fight, at Coventry, by a knockout in the first round to become Commonwealth champion.
In his next bout, on 28 June 1948, Turpin fought Vince Hawkins for his British middleweight title. The fight was held at Villa Park, Birmingham and Turpin won on points over fifteen rounds. He now held both the British and Commonwealth middleweight titles.
During late 1948 and early 1949, Turpin fought European boxers, drawing and then losing on points against Tiberio Mitri, of Italy, then being knocked out in seven rounds in a non-title fight against the then world middleweight champion, Marcel Cerdan, of France. He then won by a disqualification against another Frenchman, Robert Charron.
In June 1949, he defended his British and Commonwealth titles against Albert Finch, winning on points after fifteen rounds.
In September 1949, he defended his Commonwealth title against Australian, Dave Sands. The fight was at Harringay Arena, and Turpin was knocked out in the first round, and so only retained his British title.
Turpin then won his next four fights, losing the fifth, on points to the American, Baby Day, before defending his British title against Albert Finch, whom he had beaten in his previous defence. The fight was held in April 1950, in Nottingham and Finch won on points after fifteen rounds.
Having lost both his titles, Turpin had only two more fights, against the Belgian, Cyrille Delannoit, in Brussels, losing on a technical knockout in the sixth, and finally against his old rival Albert Finch, losing on a technical knockout in the eighth. This last fight was in July 1950.

Trainer

Turpin was the trainer of his more successful and famous brother Randolph, who beat Sugar Ray Robinson to take the world middleweight title in 1951.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes
108Loss81–21–5 Albert FinchRTD8 Jul 3, 1950Ice Rink, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England
107Loss81–20–5 Cyrille DelannoitRTD7 May 13, 1950Palais des Sports, Schaerbeek, Bruxelles-Capitale, Belgium
106Loss81–19–5 Albert FinchPTS15Apr 24, 1950Ice Rink, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, EnglandFor BBBofC British middleweight title
105Loss81–18–5 Baby DayPTS10Mar 14, 1950Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England
104Win81–17–5 Ron PudneyPTS8Mar 6, 1950Davis Theatre, Croydon, London, England
103Win80–17–5 Vince HawkinsPTS8Jan 16, 1950Drill Hall, Coventry, West Midlands, England
102Win79–17–5 Ron CooperPTS8Dec 12, 1949Ice Rink, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England
101Win78–17–5 George RossTKO7 Nov 1, 1949Bingley Hall, Birmingham, West Midlands, England
100Loss77–17–5 Dave SandsKO1 Sep 6, 1949Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, EnglandLost vacant BBBofC British and Commonwealth British middleweight title
99Win77–16–5 Albert FinchPTS15Jun 20, 1949St Andrews, Birmingham, West Midlands, EnglandWon vacant BBBofC British and Commonwealth British middleweight title
98Win76–16–5 Robert CharronDQ5 May 30, 1949Earls Court Empress Hall, Kensington, London, England
97Loss75–16–5 Marcel CerdanKO7 Mar 29, 1949Earls Court Empress Hall, Kensington, London, England
96Loss75–15–5 Tiberio MitriPTS12Mar 12, 1949 Idroscalo, Trieste, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
95Draw75–14–5 Tiberio MitriPTS12Nov 29, 1948Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England
94Win75–14–4 Doug MillerRTD7 Oct 18, 1948Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England
93Win74–14–4 Bert SandersPTS8Sep 27, 1948Embassy Rink, Birmingham, West Midlands, England
92Win73–14–4 Vince HawkinsPTS15Jun 28, 1948Villa Park, Birmingham, West Midlands, EnglandRetained Commonwealth British Empire middleweight title
Won BBBofC British middleweight title
91Win72–14–4 Bos MurphyKO1 May 18, 1948Highfield Road, Coventry, West Midlands, EnglandWon Commonwealth British Empire middleweight title
90Win71–14–4 Mark HartPTS12Feb 2, 1948Ice Rink, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England
89Win70–14–4 Bert SandersPTS8Dec 1, 1947Town Hall, Leeds, Yorkshire, England
88Win69–14–4 Ron CooperPTS8Nov 20, 1947Skating Rink, Smethwick, West Midlands, England
87Win68–14–4 Freddie PricePTS10Nov 7, 1947King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England
86Win67–14–4 Billy StevensPTS10Oct 23, 1947New St James Hall, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England
85Win66–14–4 Johnny BoydPTS8Sep 22, 1947Drill Hall, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England
84Win65–14–4 Art OwenRTD2 Sep 18, 1947Assembly Rooms, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England
83Win64–14–4 Vince HawkinsTKO6 Sep 9, 1947Butts Stadium, Coventry, West Midlands, England
82Win63–14–4 Tommy DaviesTKO5 Jul 24, 1947The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England
81Win62–14–4 Bert SandersPTS8Jul 12, 1947Picture House, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England
80Win61–14–4 Des JonesPTS8Jul 5, 1947Skating Rink, Bedford, Bedfordshire, England
79Win60–14–4 Jim HockleyPTS8Jun 23, 1947Drill Hall, Coventry, West Midlands, England
78Win59–14–4 Billy StevensTKO3 May 29, 1947The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England
77Win58–14–4 Norman ReesRTD2 May 23, 1947Judge's Hall, Trealaw, Wales
76Win57–14–4 Jim WellardPTS8May 6, 1947Wembley Town Hall, Wembley, London, England
75Win56–14–4 Gordon GriffithsTKO4 Apr 14, 1947Town Hall, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
74Win55–14–4 Tommy BraddockRTD4 Apr 3, 1947Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England
73Win54–14–4 Frank HayesKO4 Mar 24, 1947Birmingham, West Midlands, England
72Win53–14–4 Ron CooperPTS8Mar 17, 1947Winter Gardens, Malvern, Worcestershire, England
71Draw52–14–4 Bert SandersPTS8Feb 10, 1947Town Hall, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
70Loss52–14–3 George HowardKO7 Jan 14, 1947Seymour Hall, Marylebone, London, England
69Win52–13–3 Billy MayneTKO7 Dec 16, 1946Embassy Rink, Birmingham, West Midlands, England
68Win51–13–3 Johnny BoydKO4 Dec 9, 1946Town Hall, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
67Loss50–13–3 Johnny BestTKO4 Nov 19, 1946Seymour Hall Baths, Marylebone, London, England
66Win50–12–3 Trevor BurtKO3 Nov 11, 1946Winter Gardens, Malvern, Worcestershire, England
65Win49–12–3 Art OwenTKO6 Oct 28, 1946Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, England
64Win48–12–3 Jack LordKO3 Oct 16, 1946Embassy Rink, Birmingham, West Midlands, England
63Win47–12–3 Johnny BlakeTKO4 Oct 14, 1946Town Hall, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
62Win46–12–3 Paddy RochePTS10Sep 30, 1946Corn Exchange, Stroud, Gloucestershire, England
61Loss45–12–3 Johnny BoydPTS8Sep 24, 1946Embassy Rink, Birmingham, West Midlands, England
60Win45–11–3 Jack McKnightKO1 Feb 26, 1946Co-op Hall, Rugby, Warwickshire, England
59Loss44–11–3 Dave McCleavePTS8Mar 18, 1944Drill Hall, Coventry, West Midlands, England
58Loss44–10–3 Arthur 'Ginger' SaddTKO7 Dec 16, 1940Ice Rink, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England
57Win44–9–3 Pat O'ConnorPTS10Aug 24, 1940Highfield Road, Coventry, West Midlands, England
56Win43–9–3 Albert O'BrienKO2 Jul 13, 1940Rugby Football Ground, Northampton, Northamptonshire, England
55Win42–9–3 Paddy RochePTS10Jun 10, 1940Skating Rink, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England
54Win41–9–3 Tommy DaviesPTS10Jun 3, 1940Plasmarl, Swansea, Wales
53Win40–9–3 Jim BerryPTS10May 27, 1940King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England
52Loss39–9–3 Eddie MaguirePTS10May 20, 1940Tower Ballroom, Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands, England
51Win39–8–3 Tommy SmithTKO10 Apr 14, 1940Arena, Coventry, West Midlands, England
50Draw38–8–3 Eddie MaguirePTS10Apr 1, 1940Tower Ballroom, Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands, England
49Win38–8–2 Sid WilliamsPTS10Mar 15, 1940Town Hall, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
48Win37–8–2 Dave McCleaveKO5 Mar 4, 1940Tower Ballroom, Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands, England
47Win36–8–2 Arthur 'Ginger' SaddPTS10Feb 25, 1940Arena, Coventry, West Midlands, England
46Win35–8–2 Maurice DennisTKO7 Jan 24, 1940Arena, Coventry, West Midlands, England
45Win34–8–2 Ben ValentinePTS10Dec 24, 1939Arena, Coventry, West Midlands, England
44Win33–8–2 Ben ValentinePTS10Dec 10, 1939Arena, Coventry, West Midlands, England
43Loss32–8–2 George HowardPTS10Nov 26, 1939Arena, Coventry, West Midlands, England
42Win32–7–2 Charlie ParkinPTS10Oct 30, 1939Skating Rink, Northampton, Northamptonshire, England
41Win31–7–2 Harry AinsworthPTS12Aug 18, 1939Arena, Coventry, West Midlands, England
40Win30–7–2 George RobeyTKO11 Aug 7, 1939Shipston-on-Stour, Worcestershire, England
39Win29–7–2 Nat FranksPTS10Jun 4, 1939The Arena, Mile End, London, England
38Win28–7–2 Jack MilburnPTS15May 22, 1939Northampton County Ground, Northampton, Northamptonshire, EnglandWon vacant BBBofC Midlands Area middleweight title
37Win27–7–2 Wally PackPTS8May 7, 1939Devonshire Club, Hackney, London, England
36Win26–7–2 Alf BishopKO?Apr 29, 1939Colston Hall, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England
35Loss25–7–2 George RobeyPTS10Apr 21, 1939Banbury, Oxfordshire, England
34Win25–6–2 Jimmy GriffithsPTS10Apr 17, 1939Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England
33Loss24–6–2 Jimmy GriffithsPTS10Mar 30, 1939Drill Hall, Coventry, West Midlands, England
32Win24–5–2 Ted CarrollPTS10Mar 25, 1939Evesham, Worcestershire, England
31Win23–5–2 George RobeyPTS10Mar 17, 1939Spencer Stadium, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England
30Win22–5–2 Jack HammerPTS12Mar 13, 1939Town Hall, Northampton, Northamptonshire, England
29Win21–5–2 Johnny ThorntonTKO5 Mar 6, 1939Bingham Hall, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England
28Win20–5–2 Jack BeechKO2 Feb 27, 1939Colonnade Skating Rink, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England
27Win19–5–2 Mick MillerPTS10Feb 24, 1939Banbury, Oxfordshire, England
26Loss18–5–2 Ernie Butcher GascoignePTS10Jan 28, 1939Public Hall, Evesham, Worcestershire, England
25Win18–4–2 Walter RankinPTS10Jan 19, 1939Town Hall, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, England
24Win17–4–2 Alf BishopPTS10Dec 26, 1938Colonnade Skating Rink, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England
23Loss16–4–2 Charlie ParkinPTS10Dec 10, 1938Public Hall, Evesham, Worcestershire, England
22Win16–3–2 Jack McKnightPTS10Nov 21, 1938Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England
21Loss15–3–2 Charlie ParkinPTS10Nov 14, 1938Arena, Coventry, West Midlands, England
20Win15–2–2 Trevor BurtKO5 Nov 7, 1938Colston Hall, Bristol, Avon, England
19Win14–2–2 Mick MillerKO2 Oct 10, 1938Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England
18Draw13–2–2 Alf BishopPTS10Oct 3, 1938Kingsholm Rugby Ground, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England
17Win13–2–1 Johnny ClarkPTS10Aug 11, 1938Kingsholm Rugby Ground, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England
16Loss12–2–1 Rex WhitneyPTS10Jun 11, 1938Graziers Arms, West Haddon, Northamptonshire, England
15Win12–1–1 Sid FitzhughPTS8May 23, 1938Semilong Working Men's Club, Northampton, Northamptonshire, England
14Win11–1–1 Trevor BurtPTS8Mar 28, 1938Public Hall, Evesham, Worcestershire, England
13Win10–1–1 Frankie SmithTKO4 Mar 19, 1938Drill Hall, Coventry, West Midlands, England
12Draw9–1–1 Bob HartleyPTS8Mar 7, 1938Co-op Hall, Rugby, Warwickshire, England
11Win9–1 Walter RankinPTS8Feb 28, 1938Skating Rink, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England
10Win8–1 Bill BlythlingTKO4 Feb 19, 1938Evesham, Worcestershire, England
9Win7–1 Ray ChadwickKO4 Dec 18, 1937Public Hall, Evesham, Worcestershire, England
8Win6–1 Frank GuestKO6 Dec 13, 1937Embassy Rink, Birmingham, West Midlands, England
75–1 Eddie HarrisND4 Nov 21, 1937Public Hall, Evesham, Worcestershire, England
6Win5–1Phil ProctorKO2 Nov 20, 1937Public Hall, Evesham, Worcestershire, England
5Win4–1Trevor BurtPTS4Nov 15, 1937Arena, Coventry, West Midlands, England
4Win3–1Frank GuestPTS4Nov 1, 1937Sparkbrook Stadium, Birmingham, West Midlands, England
3Win2–1Eddie HarrisTKO6 Oct 16, 1937Public Hall, Evesham, Worcestershire, England
2Loss1–1Trevor BurtKO3 Oct 4, 1937Arena, Coventry, West Midlands, England
1Win1–0Eric LloydTKO6 Sep 27, 1937Co-op Hall, Rugby, Warwickshire, England