Dave “Boy” Green: The Lad Who Loved A Dust Up – Part II

By Roy “Sharpshooter” Bennett

In the 1970’s world titles didn’t grow on trees. A cursory glance at the 1977 world rankings reveals the reigning titleholders were mostly quality fighting men. Muhammad Ali, Rodrigo Valdez, Wilfred Benitez, Roberto Duran, Danny Lopez, and Miguel Canto were just some of the boxers who sat at the very top of their respective weight divisions.

Dave “Boy” Green had earned his world title opportunity by beating John H. Stracey – a former champion who was still highly regarded. He had broken Stracey’s heart with his relentless pressure and will to win. Green would eventually face his countryman’s conqueror in Carlos Palomino of Mexico, 21-1-3, 11 KO’s, the reigning WBC welterweight champion.

Palomino had beaten John H. Stracey in June, 1976 in front of 8,000 British fans at Wembley in 12 rounds, scoring two knockdowns from body blows and forcing the referee’s intervention at 1 minute 35 seconds of round 12. As the newly crowned Palomino put the title belt around his waist Stracey touched it – as if for the last time – and wiped his eyes with his bandaged hand. A proud former champion reluctantly conceding his loss.

The revenge angle of the Palomino versus Green showdown added to the considerable buzz Green had built as he had bludgeoned his way up the ranks via the traditional route of British and European titles. This fight was going to be a can’t miss hit at the box office. Indeed the stage had been perfectly set by the circumstances.

War At Wembley

On 14th June, 1977 a wall of sound greeted Dave “Boy” Green as he climbed into the ring at the Empire Pool, Wembley for his 24th professional contest. In the opposite corner stood Carlos Palomino, the defending WBC welterweight champion.

The anticipation of the attending British fans bordered on fever pitch when both boxers came to center ring for the referee’s instructions. Uncharacteristically Green, 146 3/4 lbs, boxed patiently behind the left jab in the early going and mixed in a few overhand rights to test the water, one of which landed with an audible thud and caught the champion’s attention.

When the fighters did come into close range Palomino, 147 lbs, got the better of the exchanges ripping in left hooks to the body and head while making good use of the right uppercut when Green left his head in the danger zone for a split second too long.

Palomino was stoned faced and betrayed no emotion as he focused on the task at hand. Unusual for a Mexican fighter Palomino boxed tall behind his jab. The left lead set up his combination punches, most of which were punctuated with a well placed left hook to the body. This tactic was an investment of sorts and it would pay dividends in the later rounds.

Green continued to turn up the pressure and mixed more left hooks into his attacks as he bore down on the Mexican. “The Fen Tiger” was out working Palomino at this point but the champion had a coolness about him as he continued to probe for weaknesses in Green’s style. A couple of well placed right uppercuts served as a warning to Green that he couldn’t afford to get careless.

In the middle rounds Green stepped the intensity of his attacks and increased his work rate. The Englishman slammed heavy hooks into Palomino’s body and up top but the champion kept his defense tight and his chin tucked into his chest as he ripped off accurate counters at medium and close range to check Green’s momentum.

Green rarely threw a straight punch and Palomino was making him pay for his lack of precision with short jolting counter punches on the inside. A right uppercut and left hook slammed into Green’s chin as he came in on a straight line and didn’t move his head enough. Ominous signs were beginning to emerge that the champion was a top quality operator. If there were any doubts about that fact among Green’s supporters it was time to put those doubts to rest.

Palomino had an elastic quality about him. He was fundamentally sound but very calm and relaxed with it. Offensively he was an accurate puncher who didn’t make big moves. He wasn’t that difficult to land on but he had a way of slightly rolling with most shots that got through which reduced the effectiveness of Green’s punches.

Palomino’s patient earlier work had paid off. He had found the key. He began subtlety slipping inside Green’s punches and ripping off short uppercuts to the chin. Palomino was now showing a pair of surprisingly heavy hands and the punches shook Green as they landed. The action was fierce and the fans continued to roar every success Green had. Palomino was behind on the scorecards but this was a fifteen round fight and he was slowly coming on.

In the 8th frame the champion staged an aggressive rally planting his feet and digging heavy shots into Green’s body and head. Green shuddered and was forced to go into defensive mode for the first time. But as Palomino walked in Green cracked him on the chin with an overhand right and the Mexican’s knees dipped. The crowd roared as Green went after the champion but Palomino weathered the storm and blasted back catching Green on the way in.

It was a bruising affair and the Englishman’s left eye was closing fast. His corner worked feverishly on the injury between rounds. As the bell sounded for the 11th Green came off his stool and marched forward on the attack. He was tiring now and Palomino stayed in close to meet him with slashing hooks and uppercuts. As Green squared up to throw a wide right hook Palomino timed him with a perfect short left hook counter to the jaw that sent Green crashing to the canvas – his head slamming against the boards – out cold.

Green’s world title challenge had been turned back by a thunderous blow he hadn’t seen. But he had thrown caution to the wind and risked it all in battle. He had fought like a warrior to the last and in defeat he had done himself and his country proud.

The Sugar Man and A Bridge Too Far

Nonetheless, the question had to be asked. Would Dave “Boy”‘Green ever be the same? After the defeat to Palomino Green would put together a seven fight winning streak – which included a 10 round decision win over world ranked American welterweight contender Andy “The Hawk” Price, 24-4-3, 7 KO’s, in his first fight back.

“The Fen Tiger” seemed to have found his pugilistic stride again, however, a shock knockout loss in 3 rounds to the Danish puncher Joergen Hansen – in a fight he was easily winning – dramatically upset the proverbial applecart once again. It was time for a rethink. With Green’s aggressive style of fighting and the punishment he absorbed he was never going to be the kind of fighter who had a long career. Green racked up two more wins – including a 10 round decision win over Dick Eklund who had gone the distance with Sugar Ray Leonard in losing a unanimous decision – and was given a world title shot against Leonard in America.

Green – ranked 10th by the WBC – met Sugar Ray Leonard, the reigning WBC welterweight champion, in Landover, Maryland on 31st March, 1980 and would suffer a terrible knockout loss in 4 rounds to the ultra talented former Olympic Gold medalist. After his return to England Green put together a run of four wins over relatively nondescript opposition before losing in 5 rounds to journeyman Reggie Ford, 8-7-1, 1 KO. Andy Smith, Green’s manager, advised him to retire. Green, who had always greatly respected Smith, wisely took his advice and hung up his gloves for good. He was 28 years old.

Green recalls, “He told me to get out and do something else. At the time I didn’t think he was right. I thought I could fight for three or four more years. But he was a great manager. He really cared about me. Boxing has been very good to me. It’s a dangerous sport. You should go in, make as much money as you can, and get out. I’ve been one of the lucky ones. I had a great manager and I think that’s what you really need. I had over one hundred amateur fights. My goal as a professional was to win a Southern Area title in Britain. I far exceeded what I thought I would do. I got two shots at a world title. I’ve been to Carlos Palomino’s home in California for dinner and Sugar Ray Leonard has been to my home and had dinner with my wife and I. It’s been good. I had a great time.”

Read: Dave “Boy” Green: The Lad Who Loved A Dust Up – Part I

 

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