Mervyn Bennett boxer

Mervyn Bennett boxer
bouts
23
won
13
lost
10
draw
0
Status
inactive
Division
lightweight
Debut
1981-01-06
Height
5′ 6″/168cm
Reach
-
Age
39
Born
1960-02-20
Death
1999-07-25
Nationality
United Kingdom

Mervyn Bennett (20 February 1960 – 1998) was a professional lightweight boxer from Wales. Born in Cardiff, Bennett was notable for becoming the Welsh lightweight champion in 1993. He successfully defended his title on one occasion before retiring from the sport in 1996.Bennett was a successful amateur boxer, fighting as a featherweight. In 1978, as an eighteen-year-old, he reached the final of the ABA Welsh amateur featherweight final. His opponent was Don George, who he beat on points to take the title.Bennett turned professional in 1981 as a featherweight, and his first pro fight was at York Hall in Bethnal Green, on the undercard of the British light welterweight contest between Clinton McKenzie and Des Morrison. Bennett faced London boxer Geoff Smart in a six-round bout, and stopped his opponent via technical knockout in the final round. Bennett went on to win his next four fights before challenging Don George for the vacant Welsh area featherweight belt. Held at Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre, the bout went the full ten rounds with George declared winner on points decision. The Welsh title fight began a string of defeats which saw Bennett leave the sport in 1983, before returning in 1986.When Bennett returned to the ring in 1986 he had moved up the weights to lightweight. His first fight at his new weight was against Dave Smith at the National Sporting Club in London. Bennett won the fight on points, and followed this up with a victory over Dave Pratt two months later. Bennett then boxed just three more times, before again taking another leave from the sport in 1987. He did not return to boxing until 1992, this time losing his opening fight, to Edward Lloyd at the National Ice Rink in Cardiff. He followed this up with two wins over Mike Morrison at the end of 1992, both on points, which led to a shot at the vacant Welsh area lightweight belt. The fight was held in Cardiff on 27 January 1993, his opponent was Swansea fighter Carl Hook. The contest was top of the bill, and the ten round bout went the full ten rounds before the decision was given to Bennett, making him the Welsh lightweight champion.After becoming champion, Bennett fought just four more times. He beat Vince Burns by knock-out in June 1995 but then lost by points to Dean Phillips in September. In October he successfully defended his Welsh belt when he handed Monmouth based boxer, Gareth Jordan, his first defeat. Jordan, who was 11 years younger than Bennett, was expected to take the title, but Bennett produced the performance of his career to retain his title. Bennett's final fight was in March 1996, a defeat to Karl Taylor.Bennett died in 1998, a victim of cancer.

Date Opponent Last Opponents' Results Place Result
1996-03-20 Karl Taylor LLLLDL City Hall, Cardiff LOST
Points
1995-10-25 Gareth Jordan WWWWWW Star Leisure Centre, Cardiff WIN
Points
1995-09-20 Dean Phillips LWWWWL Rhondda Leisure Centre, Ystrad LOST
Points
1995-06-17 Vince Burns WLLL National Ice Rink, Cardiff WIN
KO
1993-01-27 Carl Hook LLLLWL Star Leisure Centre, Cardiff WIN
Points
1992-12-14 Mike Morrison LLLWLL Star Leisure Centre, Cardiff WIN
Points
1992-10-28 Mike Morrison LLLLWL Star Leisure Centre, Cardiff WIN
Points
1992-05-19 Eddie Lloyd WWWLLW National Ice Rink, Cardiff LOST
Technical knockout
1987-02-16 Ray Newby WWWLWL St Andrews SC,Albany Hotel, Glasgow LOST
KO
1987-01-19 John Mullen WD St Andrews SC,Albany Hotel, Glasgow WIN
KO
1986-10-29 Keith Parry WWWWWL Leisure Centre, Ebbw Vale LOST
Technical knockout
1986-04-10 Dave Pratt LDLLLW De Montford Hall, Leicester WIN
KO
1986-02-17 Dave Smith WWWWWL National Sporting Club, Mayfair WIN
Points
1983-04-18 Keith Foreman LWWLLD Yorkshire Executive SC,Norfolk Gardens Hotel, Bradford LOST
Technical knockout
1983-02-17 Kevin Pritchard WWWWLW Sports Centre, Coventry LOST
Technical knockout
1982-11-24 Jimmy Duncan WWWLWL European Sporting Club, Stoke-on-Trent LOST
Points
1982-10-26 Mick Rowley WWDWWW Tiffany's Night Club, Newport LOST
Points
1981-11-19 Don George WWWWLL Leisure Centre, Ebbw Vale LOST
Points
1981-10-12 Richie Foster DWWWL Bloomsbury Centre Hotel, Bloomsbury WIN
Points
1981-09-25 Alec Irvine WLWDLW Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre, Nottingham WIN
Points
1981-04-07 Philip Morris DLLLWL Tiffany's Night Club, Newport WIN
Points
1981-01-26 Paddy Maguire L Tower Ballroom, Edgbaston, Birmingham WIN
Technical knockout
1981-01-06 Geoff Smart WL York Hall, Bethnal Green WIN
Technical knockout