A former sea cadet, Johnny Wright was a member of the Royal Navy when he won the 1948 ABA middleweight title. A few months later, at the London Olympics, he reached the middleweight final, but was outclassed by Hungary’s László Papp, despite showing signs of rallying in the third round, before losing on points. After the contest, Papp’s trainer, who was also the Hungarian team manager, Forray Arpad, kept to his word if Papp won, and leapt fully-clothed into the deep end of the Wembley pool.
Wright turned professional in 1951, and between November that year, and January 1953, engaged in 13 bouts, winning 10. He lost two, and drew one, against Randolph Turpin’s sparring partner Eddie Phillips in 1952. Wright never fought for a British title.
Great Britain