Terry Marsh (boxer)

Terry Marsh was born on 7 February 1958, in Stepney, East London, England, but later moved to Basildon, Essex, England. He was a highly talented amateur and professional boxer. His career was cut short when he was forced to retire due to illness at the age of 29, only 4 months after winning a world title. He is the only English boxer ever to retire as an undefeated World Champion.

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Marsh was a Royal Marines Commando and later a fireman prior to turning professional as a boxer and would have returned to the profession if it were not for the medical reason for his retirement.

Professional career

He held an undefeated career record of 26(10)-0-1 and was the International Boxing Federation (IBF) World Light-Welterweight champion for four months in 1987 (Undefeated is also the name of his autobiography). He won the IBF title from American Joe Manley on the 4th March 1987 and defended it against Japanese fighter Akio Kameda on July 1, 1987.

Personal

Marsh had to make the tough decision to retire in December 1987 after he was diagnosed with epilepsy. At this point, his life changed in a number of ways. In 1989, his manager Frank Warren was shot in London and Marsh was tried for his attempted murder. He was subsequently acquitted.

Marsh was celebrated in Pitsea, Essex in the late 1980s with the Terry Marsh Leisure Centre named in his honour. However, subsequent squabbles between local councillors have seen this renamed the Eversley Leisure Centre, although the plaque bearing his image remains.

Since then, Marsh has attempted to enter politics, first for the Labour Party. However, when Labour announced they would have a female-only short-list for Basildon, he stood for the Liberal Democrats at the 1997 General Election, but was unsuccessful.

Marsh was forced to remove himself from politics soon after, as he was charged with fraud and deception for allegedly having fraudulently claimed two student grants after going back to university at the end of his boxing career. He was later cleared of the offence.

He has since written and published his autobiography, Undefeated.

Amateur achievements

• 1978 ABA Lightweight champion
• 1980 ABA Welterweight champion
• 1981 ABA Welterweight champion
• 1981 Multi-Nations Gold Medalist - Manila