Arnold Parsons

The son of a London fireman, Arnold Parsons was a panel beater (car body repairer) when he started his wrestling career. He was originally coached by the former British welterweight champion Len Cotland. When he was 17, Parsons won the British bantamweight title and the following year, 1945, won the first of two consecutive featherweight titles. He made his international début against Belgium in 1946, and in 1948 won his fourth national title, again at featherweight. Parsons competed in the 1948 London Olympics, and 1950 British Empire Games, when he won the featherweight bronze medal.