Terry Spinks

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameTerence George "Terry"•Spinks
Used nameTerry•Spinks
Nick/petnamesThe Golden Boy
Born28 February 1938 in West Ham, England (GBR)
Died26 April 2012 in Chadwell Heath, England (GBR)
AffiliationsWest Ham ABC, London (GBR)
NOC Great Britain
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

It was the early ambition of East Londoner Terry Spinks to become a jockey and he gained his first ring experience in stable lads’ competitions before going on to win the English Schoolboy’s championship. In 1956, his first year of senior competition, he scored an exciting win the flyweight division at the ABA championships and despite the fact that a number of selectors held the view that he was too young to be exposed to international competition, Spinks made the team for Melbourne Olympics. In the Olympic final Spinks gave a classic display of boxing to outpoint Mircea Dobrescu, a hard-hitting Romanian, who was never quite quick enough to catch Spinks with his heavy punches. Early in 1957, shortly after his 19th birthday, Spinks turned professional and in September 1960, in his 37th fight as a pro’, he won the British featherweight title by defeating Bobby Neill in seven rounds. After successfully defending his title against Neill he lost the crown when forced to retire after ten rounds against Harold Winston in May 1961.

Professional Record: W – 41 (KO 13); L – 7 (KO by 4); D – 1.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1956 Summer Olympics Boxing GBR Terry Spinks
Flyweight, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold