Colin Jones was born in Abertawe/Swansea on this day (21 March) in 1959.
Who Was Colin Jones?
Cymru has produced numerous world class boxers from the likes of Jonny Owen to Joe Calzaghe but arguably no Welsh legend hit harder than Colin “The Punch” Jones, who boasts a fight record of 26 wins, 3 defeats and 1 draw.
Until Amir Khan broke the record in 2004, Jones was the youngest British boxer to qualify for the Olympic Games. He qualified for the 1976 games in Montreal and though he was defeated in his second bout by eventual bronze medallist, Victor Zilberman, he left his mark in the tournament and set up a solid career for himself.
In terms of boxing achievements, Jones would win the 1976 and 1977 Amateur Boxing Association British welterweight title and the BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year in 1983. He also won an MBE in 2020 for his service to boxing.
Though never winning a world championship, Jones is often considered to be one of the best boxers (and the best Welsh boxer) to never win one. He’s a proper Welsh legend.
(Image Credits: ExpoSport)
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Niklas is the founder, owner, manager, editor, writer, video creator, voice over artist, and so forth, of Welsh Histories. He is passionate about the preservation of Welsh culture; the rejuvenation of the Welsh language and the promotion of Welsh history. Niklas currently resides in Pune, Maharashtra, with his beloved wife.