Parry Dando

A South Wales miner from Pontypool, Parry Dando was a multiple National Coal Board light-welterweight champion. He also won the Welsh title and made his international début for Wales against Ireland at Dublin in 1948. He went on to represent his country on seven more occasions and, at the Empire Pool in 1952, Dando was in the Great Britain team in the match against Spain, but lost on points to Gregorio Morante.

Despite being a Welsh champion, the nearest Dando came to an ABA title was in 1952 when he was beaten in the light-welterweight semi-final by Peter Waterman, who got the decision on points. Dando avenged that defeat less than a month later, however, when he beat Waterman in the Wales – England match at Cardiff. Dando was selected for the Olympics that year as a reserve to Waterman.

Dando, who had served as a gunner with the Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment of the Royal Artillery, became a professional boxer in 1953 and between then and 1959 had 14 bouts, winning five and losing nine. His début was a win over fellow Welshman Teddy Best, and his 14h and last bout was also against Best, but he was beaten on that occasion. Dando only once fought for a title as a professional, the vacant Welsh lightweight title in 1954, but lost to Willie Lloyd when disqualified in the eighth round.