John Richard Owens (7 January 1956 – 4 November 1980) was a professional boxer from Wales who fought under the name Johnny Owen. His fragile appearance earned him many epithets, including ‘the Bionic Bantam’ and ‘the Merthyr Matchstick’. During his brief career, he held the Bantamweight Championships of Great Britain and Europe and became the first ever Welsh holder of the Bantamweight Championship of the Commonwealth. He challenged champion Lupe Pintor for his version of the World Bantamweight title in September 1980, losing a torturously difficult contest by way of twelfth round knockout. Owen never regained consciousness, fell into a coma and died seven weeks later. A statue commemorating his life and career was unveiled in Merthyr Tydfil in 2002.
Read more about Johnny Owen: Early Life and Career, Professional Career, Final Bout and Death
Famous quotes containing the words johnny and/or owen:
““It’s as plain as plain can be;
This woman shot her lover, it’s murder in the second degree,”
—Unknown. Frankie and Johnny (l. 73–74)
“Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots
But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;
Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots
Of tired, outstripped Five-Nines that dropped behind.”
—Wilfred Owen (1893–1918)