David Downey

David Downey
Born (1942-02-18) February 18, 1942 (age 82)
Halifax, Nova Scotia
NationalityCanada Canadian
Other namesDave
OccupationBoxer
Statistics
Weight(s)Middleweight

David Downey (born February 18, 1942) is a former two-time Canadian Middleweight Champion and a member of the Boxing Downeys dynasty. He was the son of George Downey and is the father of Olympian Ray Downey.[1][2] He is in the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame and the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame.[3]

Early History

Dave Downey, the youngest of nine brothers, was born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he also attended Joseph Howe School.[4] Growing up, he excelled at many sports including baseball, basketball, swimming, and track and field.

Professional boxing career

He began sparring at the age of fifteen after being observed on the street by Murray Langford, nephew of Sam Langford.[5] Downey had no amateur boxing background.[6] At fifteen years old, Downey's first pro-fight occurred in 1957 at the Forum.[7]

In 1967, Downey won the vacant Canadian Middleweight Boxing title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Jimmy Meilleur in front of over 1600 hometown fans.[8] He remained champion until facing Gary Broughton in August 1970 before regaining the title months later in a December rematch against Broughton.[9] He retained his middleweight championship nine more fights before losing to Lawrence Hafey in 1975.[10]

Downey retired from boxing in 1977.

Professional boxing record

31 fights 24 wins 4 losses
By knockout 16 3
By decision 8 1
Draws 2
No contests 1

Honors and awards

  • Canadian Middleweight Boxing Champion. (1967)[11]
  • Two-Time Canadian Middleweight Boxing Champion. (1970)[12]
  • Inductee of the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame. (1976)[13]
  • Inductee of Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame. (1999)[14]
  • Inductee of Maritime Black Sports and Hockey Hall of Fame. (2006)
  • Inductee of Maritime Sport and Hockey Hall of Fame. (2018)

See also

References

  1. ^ "Forging the "Boxing Downeys"". Government of Canada, National Defence. 24 June 2013.
  2. ^ "Our Roots / Nos Racines".
  3. ^ "David Downey". Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  4. ^ "Heart Like A Glove - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  5. ^ "Former Middleweight Champ Watches Son Advance Down Olympic Road - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  6. ^ "Champ, Challengers On Same Card - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  7. ^ "David Downey | Maritime Sport Hall of Fame". Maritime Sport Hall of Fame. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  8. ^ "Dave Downey Defeats Meilleur For Middleweight Boxing Title - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
  9. ^ "Gary Broughton Loses Title In Split Decision - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  10. ^ "O'Brien, Downey among inductees to Maritime Sport Hall of Fame". CBC.ca. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  11. ^ "Jim Meilleur vs Dave Downey | Boxrec". boxrec.ca. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
  12. ^ "Champ Twice, Downey Seeks to Regain 'Stolen' Ring Title - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
  13. ^ "Celebrating the accomplishments of Black Canada Games alumni". canadagames.ca. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
  14. ^ "David Downey | Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame". Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2024-05-11.

Further reading

  • Robert Ashe. Halifax Champion: Black Power in Gloves. [Life of Dave Downey] Formac. 2005


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