Two Great British Boxers Trivia Quiz

Answer: December 12, 1945

Turpin was inducted in December 12, 1945 and was sent to the training ship Royal Arthur. Turpin had in fact tried to sign up the year earlier. In theory his job on the Royal Arthur was that of assistant cook but he did in fact spend most of time giving exhibitions for the services in charity tournaments.

Answer: Pneumonia

Freddie Mills went down with pneumonia whilst at RAF Padgate and lost more than a stone and a half. When he had recovered, Freddie was offered a nice cushy number on a physical training course at Uxbridge. Amazingly for a man of such strength and fighting prowess, he quite simply could not handle the most basic excercises such as wall bars and parallel bars.

In his own words, "They'll have me breaking my neck next. This is too dangerous for me".

Answer: Fourth round knock-out

Freddie Mills knocked out Pol Goffaux in the fourth round after flooring him five times.

Answer: Gus Lesnevich

In a somewhat dull contest with both boxers being told by the referee in the tenth round to 'up their work rate', Mills exploded into action by knocking Lesnevich down twice for counts of eight and nine respectively. Although Lesnevich fought back hard, Mills changed his tactics and surprised everyone by out-boxing the champion for the remaining rounds and taking a fifteen round decision.

Answer: True

Although better known as Joey Maxim, Mills' conqueror's real name was Guiseppe Antonio Beradinelli. Beradinelli's manager, 'Doc' Jack Kearns, renamed him Joey Maxim because he considered that his fighter's left jab were like shots from a machine gun. Mills could testify to the effectiveness of Maxim's jab as he lost several teeth during the fight, one of which was hammered deep into his gum.

Answer: Albert Finch

Turpin revenged an earlier loss to Finch by knocking him out in the 5th round on October 17, 1950.

Answer: Sugar Ray Robinson

In a stunning upset, Turpin out-powered an under par Robinson to win the title.

Answer: Carl Olson

In 1951, he lost his title to Robinson Turpin fought Carl 'Bobo' Olson for the title and lost on points. It was an under par Turpin on this occasion and things clearly were not well with the former champion. Many, including J. Onslow Fane, president of the British Boxing Board of Control, wanted Turpin to quit the fight game. Turpin had received no less than 3000 letters asking him what was wrong. Turpin had many personal problems and was rapidly descending into a massive despression.

Answer: Turpin won on a second round KO

Turpin punched Glover (billed as 'Leon Arras from Australia') under the heart in the first round, much to the delight of the crowd who yelled out, "Box 'em Randy - box 'em". In what was probably a choreographed display, Turpin knocked out Glover in the next round. Turpin took lessons from a well known wrestler named Jackie Kidd and went on to wrestle on the circuit.

Answer: They both committed suicide

Both of these men committed suicide. Randy Turpin had gambling problems and was found dead at in a flat above a Fish and Chip where he was working at the time after a visit from a couple of heavies. It would seem that he was co-habitating with the female owner of the shop.

After the 'visit', Turpin apparently decided to end it all. Near to the end of his life he wrote these words: "So we leave this game which is hard and cruel, and down at the show on a ringside stool, we'll watch the next man, just one more fool". Freddie Mills was found shot in his car in Goslett Yard behind his club on the night of July 25, 1965.

The official verdict was suicide. However, unlike Randy Turpin, Mills did not seem to have any reason to kill himself. But there were pressures on him. Various links to gangland types like the Krays, accusations of homosexuality, and an awful accusation that he just might be a certain serial killer that was roaming at the time were just some of his problems at the time. The death/suicides of both these men is still shrouded in mystery.