I did know that he was unbeaten before his WBC title shot against then Champion Carlos Palomino in June 1977. Davey (Boy) Green earned his title shot by stopping former champion John H. Stracey, TKO 10. Green was British Empire and European Welterweight Champion. Davey did give Palomino quite a battle before Carlos left hook ended the title bout.
Good info Richard. Yep, he was a decent fighter was Davey Boy. Obviously not world class top level. But no bum.
I think he would have been a better fighter today. He was brought up in the cliché British way of the time. He won the British title, was clearly a level above that, so then beat the best Europe had to offer, which were solid but not spectacular opposition. Then he fought Stracey; which I think was meant as a learning fight, to gain Green experience, and show him where he was career wise. Stracey was not firing on all cylinders, but Green was better than most figured and thus the upset. Green was obliged to go though with what was meant to be Stracey/PalominoII, and we all know how good Palomino was, and thus it was no shame for Green to lose, as he put in a great effort, in an excellent fight. After this Green met Andy Price, the sort of opposition he needed to fight before stepping up to a Palomino. And it looked like Green would comeback strong. But then he lost to a Dane with no real power on paper by knockout, but got the Leonard gig by beating Dick Eklund. After Leonard he seemed to lack the fire and after some wins over journeymen, he called it a day when upset by Reggie Ford, a Jamaican journeyman on a little golden streak which saw him beat Hunter Clay, Green and Kirkland Laing. Sadly for Ford, his reward was a fight with a fellow Jamaican, by the name of Mike McCallum!
Dave Boy fought hard, had spirit and he took it to Palomino and SRL with all he had. But lord when that man got hit with a good left hook he didn’t just go down — he went down like he had been shot by a sniper both times. Like count to 100 KOs.
Davey Boy Green was a really good fighter, who always gave his all. A true contender. He lost to 2 of the Welterweight greats in Palomino and Leonard, no shame in that.
But you know what? Green left in all in the ring. He was always trying to win no matter how much he was getting hit. Never looked to survive and say hey I went the distance with Leonard. He was trying to win. I have the highest respect for that to keep pressing into a fighter who is faster and stronger then you and not giving up.
