Dennis Powell

Dennis Powell (12 December 1924 – 27 May 1993) was a Welsh boxer who fought between 1946 and 1954. Powell became Welsh area champion in both light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions in 1949, holding onto the heavyweight title until beaten by Tommy Farr in 1951. He remained Welsh light heavyweight champion throughout his career and in 1953 he challenged for the British light heavyweight title vacated by Randolph Turpin, taking the belt after defeating George Walker.

Boxing career Powell began fighting professionally in the mid-1940s and his first recorded fight was against Tommy Smythe of Ireland on 17 December 1946. During 1947 he fought on four occasions, mainly in the Midlands and Liverpool area of England, despite remaining based in the village of Four Crosses in Wales. His early career was fairly successful, finishing 1947 without loss. He continued this success into 1948 with a victory over Jack 'Red' O'Hara on 8 January, but then lost to Jeff Morris of Mansfield who, despite having never won a fight in ten attempts, put Powell down ten times in a four-round bout. Powell fared no better in his next two matches, losing both on points, before knocking out Danny O'Brien in Chester in February.

On 16 February 1948 Powell faced Gerry McDermott, who later that year would become Irish heavyweight champion. Powell failed to last a round, being counted out. His form continued to fluctuate throughout the rest of the year, failing to string two wins together until he defeated Allan Cooke and Len Bennett in December. Just seven months after taking the title, Powell was challenged for his British title by Alex Buxton. The fight failed to reach the distance, with Powell losing by technical knockout in the tenth. He fought professionally just twice more, ending his career with a loss to Polly Smith in July 1954.