Gordon Ferris
Irish boxer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gordon Ferris (born 21 November 1952) is a Northern Irish former heavyweight boxer who was both Irish and British champion in the early 1980s.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | British, Irish |
| Born | 21 November 1952 Enniskillen, Northern Ireland |
| Weight | Heavyweight |
| Relative | Finlay Bealham (first cousin once removed) |
| Boxing career | |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 26 |
| Wins | 20 |
| Win by KO | 11 |
| Losses | 6 |
| Draws | 0 |
Career
Born in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, and a lock-keeper by trade,[1] Ferris had a distinguished amateur career, winning a bronze medal at the 1974 Commonwealth Games and five Irish amateur titles.[2][3]
After missing out on selection for the 1976 Olympic Games, Ferris took the decision to turn professional and made his pro debut in December 1977 with a win over Keith Steve Johnson. He won 14 of his first 18 pro fights, leading to a final eliminator for the British heavyweight title in September 1980 against Tommy Kiely, with the Irish and Northern Ireland Area titles also at stake; He won on points over 12 rounds, leading to a fight with Billy Aird for the vacant British title. He won by a 15-round points decision to become British champion.[1][4] He lost the title in his first defence, against Neville Meade in October 1981, losing by a first-round knockout.[1] He attempted to get another shot at the title but was beaten in a final eliminator in June 1982 by David Pearce, after which he retired from boxing.[2]
He subsequently ran pubs in Gloucester and Stoke-on-Trent.[2]
The Irish rugby union player, Finlay Bealham is his first cousin once removed.[5]