Randolph Adolphus Turpin was born in Leamington on 7th June 1928, the son of Lionel Fitzherbert Turpin and Beatrice Whitehouse. Lionel was the first black man in Leamington, after Boxing was in the family, and Randy's elder brother Dick turned professional when Randy was nine years old. Randy the youngest ever ABA champion and also the first black boxer to win an ABA Championship.
Randy began 1951 by destroying Dutchman Luc Van Dam in 48-seconds to win the European Middleweight title. His success continued with another defeat to be avenged, this time Jean Stock. Randy defeated Stock by knockout in round five, the same round in which he had lost some three years before. Three more knockout victories would follow, including the defeat of the highly rated Jan de Bruin.
Randy having now avenged both of his defeats and beaten some high calibre opposition was handed a World title fight. His opponent the seemingly invincible Sugar Ray Robinson, in Earls Court, London. Robinson was reaching the end of a European tour, which had seen him defeat a selection of hand-picked opponents. Throughout the tour Robinson had suffered numerous setbacks including Jan de Bruin walking from the ring, and a Disqualification loss (which was later changed to a no-contest). Robinson arrived in Britain in an open-topped Pink Cadillac, accompanied by 53 cases and an entourage of eight including a hairdresser, odd-job man, and a midget whose job was to be a court jester.
Randy would receive a purse of $28,000, whilst Robinson would receive treble Randy's purse with $84,000. Randy out-punched, out-muscled, and dominated Robinson on his way to becoming World Middleweight Champion. Randy instantly became a British hero, and in front of thousands was paraded around his hometown of Leamington in an open top car. While many shock defeats have appeared over the years, they are almost always by a lucky punch. Randy's win was different, he out-boxed and out-fought the champion for the entire contest, leaving the result in no doubt. Sugar Ray acknowledged that he was soundly beaten with by stating:
"You were real good. I have no alibis. I was beaten by a better man" Sugar Ray Robinson
Robinson used a clause in the contract that guaranteed a re-match. Robinson's preparation was much improved and he added 3lbs of weight after being bullied around the ring in England. Randy purse would be vastly improved from the first fight, as he earned $207,075. Robinson despite being the challenger would receive more with $248,491. The return fight was held at the Polo Grounds in New York and drew 61,370 spectators, a record for Middleweights. Despite his dominance in their first fight, Randy would still be a 6-to-4 underdog.
Randy fought just like he did in the first fight and was getting to Robinson. Going into the tenth round the fight was even on the referee's scorecard, with four rounds each and one even. Midway through the tenth round, a right-hand Randy split Robinson's left eye so badly the fight could have been stopped. Fearing the stoppage Robinson threw everything he had at Randy, who chose the unwise move of fighting back rather than defending.
Robinson landed a series of good body punches, followed by left and right hooks. A huge right cross put Randy down for a count of seven, before Robinson landed a barrage of punches with Randy pinned to the ropes, with only seven seconds of the round to go the fight was stopped by referee Ruby Goldstein. Randy's reign as Middleweight boxing king had ended after just 64 days. Randy was unhappy with the stoppage stating:
Randy retire from the ring after a career spanning twelve years.
With many troubles in his life Randy committed suicide on May 17 1966, aged just 37. Following his death Randy has received an induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. In 2001, exactly 50 years after his victory over Sugar Ray Robinson, a statue of Randy was erected in Warwick town square.
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Tags: TURPIN LEAMINGTON SPA BOXING
