Albert Finch (16 May 1926 – 23 January 2003) was a British boxer from Croydon in South London, who was active from 1945 to 1958. He fought as both a middleweight and light-heavyweight, becoming British middleweight champion in 1950.

Albert Finch
Born
Albert Finch

(1926-05-16)16 May 1926
Croydon, England
Died23 January 2003(2003-01-23) (aged 76)
NationalityBritish
Statistics
Weight(s)Light Heavyweight
Boxing record
Total fights103
Wins72
Wins by KO21
Losses21
Draws9
No contests1

He was one of seven children and learnt to box at the age of eight. He had a successful amateur career, winning 63 out of 68 contests.

Professional career

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He had his first professional fight on 14 August 1945 at the Queensbury Club, Soho, London. He fought a draw over six rounds against Eddie Starrs.

He continued to build up a successful domestic record with the odd defeat. In October 1948 he beat Mark Hart for the Southern Area middleweight title, winning on points over 12 rounds.

In April 1948, he fought the promising young middleweight, Randolph Turpin, at the Royal Albert Hall, and inflicted Turpin's first defeat, winning on points over eight rounds.

In June 1949, he challenged Dick Turpin, elder brother of Randolph, for his British and Commonwealth middleweight titles. The fight was held in Birmingham and Turpin won on points over fifteen rounds.

In April 1950, he had a re-match with Dick Turpin, who in the meantime had lost his Commonwealth title. The fight was held in Nottingham and Finch won on points over fifteen rounds after having been knocked down twice. He was now the British middleweight champion.

Finch held the British title for only six months before losing it to Dick Turpin's brother, Randolph in October 1950. They met at Harringay Arena, and Turpin, who had a powerful punch, knocked Finch out in the fifth round.

Finch began to find it difficult to make the middleweight weight limit and so moved up to fight as a light-heavyweight. Following the Turpin defeat, he had a run of seven straight victories against light-heavyweights before fighting Don Cockell for his British and European light-heavyweight titles. The fight was in October 1951, at the Harringay Arena, and Cockell won by a knockout in the seventh round.

He continued fighting as a light-heavyweight and in November 1954 he had another attempt at the British light-heavyweight title when he fought the holder, Alex Buxton, in Birmingham. Unfortunately, he suffered another knockout, this time in the eighth round. By fighting at the heavier weight he was meeting heavier punches and so suffered more knockouts than previously.

In March 1956, he had a third attempt at the British light-heavyweight title when he fought Ron Barton for the vacant title. The fight at Harringay Arena ended with Barton winning by a technical knockout in the eighth round. This was his last title fight.

He continued fighting, with mixed success. One notable victory was a win by disqualification against Jim Cooper, Henry Cooper's twin brother, in Stockholm. He had his last fight in March 1958, losing by a knockout in the third round against Noel Trigg.

Retirement

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After his retirement he worked at a meat market in Croydon and was active in assisting youthful boxers. He died in 2003 at the age of 76 years.

Professional boxing record

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72 Wins (21 knockouts, 50 decisions, 1 DQ), 21 Losses (9 knockouts, 11 decisions, 1 DQ), 9 Draws, 1 No Contest[1]
Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Loss 72–21-9 (1)   Noel Trigg KO 3 17 March 1958   Cheltenham Town Hall, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Draw 72–20-9   Ron Redrup PTS 8 3 February 1958   Leyton Baths, Leyton, England
Draw 72–20–8 (1)   Jack Whittaker PTS 8 13 January 1958   Cheltenham Town Hall, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Win 72–20–7 (1)   Tony Dove PTS 10 3 October 1957   Corn Hall, Norwich, Norfolk
Loss 71–20–7 (1)   Willie Armstrong PTS 8 21 August 1957   Ice Rink, Paisley
Loss 71–19-7 (1)   Manuel Burgo KO 2 29 July 1957   Engineer's Club, West Hartlepool, County Durham
Win 71–18-7 (1)   Jim Cooper DQ 7 19 May 1957   Johanneshovs Isstadion, Stockholm
Win 70–18–7 (1)   Terrence Murphy PTS 12 26 March 1957   Streatham Ice Arena, Streatham, England BBBofC Southern Area Light Heavyweight Title.
Loss 69–18–7 (1)   Erich Schoppner PTS 8 3 February 1957   Westfalenhallen, Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia
Win 69–17–7 (1)   Serge Leveque PTS 8 28 December 1956   Masshallen, Gothenburg
Win 68–17-7 (1)   Andre Cottyn TKO 10 8 September 1956   Ostend, West Flanders
Loss 67–17-7 (1)   Ron Barton TKO 8 13 March 1956   Harringay Arena, Harringay, London BBBofC Light Heavyweight Title.
Draw 67–16-7 (1)   Uwe Janssen PTS 8 22 January 1956   Westfalenhallen, Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia
Win 67–16–6 (1)   Charles Colin PTS 10 30 October 1955   St. Nazaire Stadium, Saint-Nazaire, Loire-Atlantique
Draw 66–16-6 (1)   Fred Powell PTS 8 4 October 1955   Streatham Ice Arena, Streatham, England
Loss 66–16–5 (1)   Alex Buxton KO 8 9 November 1954   Embassy Sportsdrome, Birmingham, West Midlands BBBofC Light Heavyweight Title.
Win 66–15–5 (1)   Marcel Limage TKO 9 18 May 1954   Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London
Win 65–15–5 (1)   Arthur Howard TKO 8 23 March 1954   Earls Court Arena, Kensington, London BBBofC Light Heavyweight Title Eliminator.
Win 64–15-5 (1)   Joe Bygraves PTS 8 23 February 1954   Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London
Win 63–15-5 (1)   Billy Dean TKO 5 3 November 1953   Harringay Arena, Harringay, London
Win 62–15–5 (1)   Dave Williams TKO 7 20 October 1953   Streatham Ice Arena, Streatham, England
Draw 61–15–5 (1)   Arthur Howard PTS 8 13 October 1953   Earls Court Arena, Kensington, London
Win 61–15–4 (1)   Jimmy Davis PTS 8 6 October 1953   Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London
Loss 60–15–4 (1)   Dennis Powell PTS 10 8 September 1953   Park Hall, Oswestry, Shropshire
Loss 60–14-4 (1)   Wim Snoek PTS 10 18 May 1953   Empress Hall, Earl's Court, Kensington, London
Win 60-13–4 (1)   Charles Colin PTS 10 25 April 1953   St. Nazaire Stadium, Saint-Nazaire, Loire-Atlantique
Loss 59–13–4 (1)   Gerhard Hecht TKO 9 20 March 1953   Funkturm Berlin, Westend, Berlin
Win 59–12–4 (1)   Johnny Barton PTS 8 16 February 1953   Leyton Baths, Leyton, England
Loss 58–12-4 (1)   George Walker DQ 5 2 December 1952   Empress Hall, Earl's Court, Kensington, London BBBofC Southern Area Light Heavyweight Title.
Loss 58–11-4 (1)   George Walker KO 6 28 October 1952   Empress Hall, Earl's Court, Kensington, London
Win 58–10–4 (1)   Brian Anders PTS 8 14 October 1952   Streatham Ice Arena, Streatham, England
Win 57–10–4 (1)   Garnett Denny PTS 10 23 February 1952   Ulster Hall, Belfast
Win 56–10–4 (1)   Michel Lapourielle TKO 8 13 February 1952   Brighton Dome, Brighton, Sussex
Win 55–10-4 (1)   Gene "KO" Fowler TKO 5 21 January 1952   Leyton Baths, Leyton, England
Loss 54–10–4 (1)   Don Cockell KO 7 16 October 1951   Harringay Arena, Harringay, London BBBofC/EBU Light Heavyweight Titles.
Win 54–9–4 (1)   Billy Wood TKO 5 29 May 1951   Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace, London
Win 53–9-4 (1)   Dave Williams TKO 5 16 May 1951   Maindy Stadium, Cardiff
Win 52–9–4 (1)   Paddy Slavin PTS 10 30 April 1951   Empress Hall, Earl's Court, Kensington, London
Win 51–9–4 (1)   Johnny McGowan TKO 9 19 March 1951   Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire
Win 50–9–4 (1)   Don Mogard PTS 8 26 February 1951   Leyton Baths, Leyton, England
Win 49–9–4 (1)   Jackie Harris PTS 8 12 February 1951   Leyton Baths, Leyton, England
Win 48–9–4 (1)   Reg Spring PTS 8 22 January 1951   Leyton Baths, Leyton, England
Loss 47–9–4 (1)   Randy Turpin KO 5 17 October 1950   Harringay Arena, Harringay, London BBBofC Middleweight Title. Finch knocked out at 1:02 of the fifth round.
Win 47–8-4 (1)   Albert Heyen PTS 10 27 September 1950   Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd
Draw 46–8–4 (1)   Cyrille Delannoit PTS 10 21 July 1950   Ostend, West Flanders
Win 46–8–3 (1)   Dick Turpin TKO 8 3 July 1950   Nottingham Ice Stadium, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Win 45–8–3 (1)   Eli Elandon PTS 10 26 June 1950   Town Hall, Northampton, Northamptonshire
Win 44-8-3 (1)   Juan Torrecillas TKO 3 12 June 1950   Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace, London
Win 43–8–3 (1)   Dick Turpin PTS 15 24 April 1950   Nottingham Ice Stadium, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire BBBofC Middleweight Title.
Win 42–8–3 (1)   Joe Beckett PTS 10 29 March 1950   Norwich, Norfolk
Draw 41–8–3 (1)   Mel Brown PTS 10 13 March 1950   Streatham Ice Arena, Streatham, England
Draw 41–8–2 (1)   Allan Cooke PTS 8 21 February 1950   West Ham Baths, West Ham, England
Loss 41–8–1 (1)   Baby Day PTS 10 7 February 1950   Empress Hall, Earl's Court, Kensington, London
Win 41–7–1 (1)   Jimmy Ingle KO 4 5 December 1949   Leeds Town Hall, Leeds, Yorkshire
Win 40–7-1 (1)   Albert Heyen PTS 10 14 November 1949   Davis Theatre, Croydon, London
Loss 39–7–1 (1)   Bert Hyland PTS 8 24 October 1949   Leyton Baths, Leyton, England
Win 39–6–1 (1)   George Ross PTS 10 4 October 1949   Empress Hall, Earl's Court, Kensington, London
Win 38–6–1 (1)   Bert Sanders PTS 8 18 August 1949   Stadium, Dartford, Kent
Loss 37–6–1 (1)   Dick Turpin PTS 15 20 June 1949   St Andrew's, Birmingham, West Midlands BBBofC/Commonwealth Middleweight Titles.
Win 37–5–1 (1)   Bob Cleaver KO 7 24 May 1949   Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace, London
Win 36–5–1 (1)   Bert Hyland PTS 8 21 April 1949   Manor Place Baths, Walworth, London
Win 35–5–1 (1)   Des Jones PTS 8 10 March 1949   Caledonian Road Baths, Islington, London
Loss 34–5–1 (1)   Luc van Dam PTS 10 24 January 1949   Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London
Win 34–4–1 (1)   Doug Myers TKO 6 13 December 1948   Manor Place Baths, Walworth, London
Win 33–4–1 (1)   Mark Hart PTS 12 11 October 1948   Acacia Hall, Croydon, London BBBofC Southern Area Middleweight Title.
Win 32–4–1 (1)   Bert Sanders PTS 10 10 August 1948   Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace, London
Win 31–4-1 (1)   George Dilkes PTS 8 11 June 1948   Belle Vue Zoological Gardens, Belle Vue, Manchester
Win 30–4–1 (1)   Frederick Jock Taylor TKO 7 8 June 1948   Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace, London
Win 29–4–1 (1)   Randy Turpin PTS 8 26 April 1948   Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London
Win 28–4–1 (1)   Pat Mulcahy TKO 6 15 December 1947   Leyton Baths, Leyton, England
Win 27–4-1 (1)   Geoff Heath PTS 8 10 December 1947   Acacia Hall, Croydon, London
Win 26–4–1 (1)   Al Marson PTS 8 28 November 1947   Plumstead Baths, Plumstead, England
No Contest 25–4–1 (1)   Jack Johnson NC 4 1 July 1947   London Olympia, Kensington, London
Win 25–4-1   Freddie Price PTS 8 28 April 1947   Green Pond Road, Walthamstow, England
Loss 24–4–1   Mark Hart PTS 12 16 April 1947   Manor Place Baths, Walworth, London BBBofC Southern Area Middleweight Title.
Win 24–3–1   Jimmy Ingle PTS 8 11 March 1947   Seymour Hall, Marylebone, England
Win 23–1–1   Bert Hyland TKO 6 11 February 1947   Regents Crest Hotel, Marylebone, England
Win 22–3–1   Arthur Sadd PTS 8 21 January 1947   Seymour Hall, Marylebone, England
Win 21–3-1   Tommy Braddock PTS 8 17 December 1946   Beckenham Baths, Beckenham, England
Win 20–3–1   Paddy Roche PTS 8 3 December 1946   Margate, Kent
Win 19–3-1   Frank Hayes PTS 8 28 November 1946   Ramsgate, Kent
Win 18–3–1   Alby Hollister PTS 8 19 November 1946   Seymour Hall Baths, Marylebone, England
Loss 17–3-1   Mark Hart PTS 12 23 October 1946   Grand Theatre, Clapham, London
Win 17–2–1   Paddy Roche TKO 8 14 October 1946   Beckenham Baths, Beckenham, England
Win 16–2–1   Harry Groves PTS 10 9 October 1946   Grand Theatre, Clapham, London
Loss 15–2–1   Vince Hawkins PTS 8 17 September 1946   Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England
Win 15–1–1   Jim Hockley PTS 8 9 July 1946   Town Hall, Willesden, England
Win 14–1–1   Jimmy Stewart PTS 8 25 June 1946   Brighton Dome, Brighton, Sussex
Win 13–1–1   Johnny Blake PTS 8 31 May 1946   Agricultural Hall, Maidstone, Kent
Loss 12–1–1   Harry Watson TKO 5 25 March 1946   Greenwich Baths, Greenwich, London
Win 12-0–1   Frank Hayes PTS 8 19 March 1946   Beckenham Baths, Beckenham, England
Win 11–0–1   Billy Cottrell PTS 8 25 January 1946   Manor Place Baths, Walworth, London
Win 10–0–1   Paddy Roche PTS 8 24 January 1946   Assembly Rooms, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Win 9–0–1   Billy Cottrell TKO 5 16 January 1946   Beckenham Baths, Beckenham, England
Win 8–0–1   Jim Hockley PTS 8 7 January 1946   Caledonian Road Baths, Islington, London
Win 7–0–1   Jim Laverick PTS 8 18 December 1945   Queensbury Club, Soho, London
Win 6–0–1   Jack Lewis PTS 6 3 December 1945   Plumstead Baths, Plumstead, England
Win 5–0–1   Jack Lewis PTS 8 13 November 1945   Caledonian Road Baths, Islington, London
Win 4–0–1   Cyril Johnson KO 2 6 November 1945   Queensbury Club, Soho, London
Win 3–0–1   Jim Hockley PTS 6 20 October 1945   Kingston Baths, Kingston, London
Win 2-0-1   Ted Baxter PTS 6 9 October 1945   Caledonian Road Baths, Islington, London
Win 1–0–1   Gordon Griffiths PTS 6 11 September 1945   Queensbury Club, Soho, London
Draw 0-0-1   Eddie Starrs PTS 6 14 August 1945   Queensbury Club, Soho, London

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "BoxRec - Albert Finch".
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