Brian Curvis a Credit to Boxing by Ralph Oates Swift who would be defending his British welterweight title against the Welshman at the Ice Rink in Nottingham. Curvis’ Commonwealth title would also be at stake in the match. Swift had participated in 28 fights which comprised of 24 wins 3 defeats and 1 draw. In the contest which took place on the 21 November 1960 the contest went the full route of 15 rounds with Curvis emerging the winner by way of a points decision. (This created a family double for the Curvis family, since on the 24 July 1952 Brian’s older brother Cliff had also won the British welterweight and Commonwealth titles during his career when knocking out the then defending champion Wally Thom in round 9 of 15). On the 8 May 1961 Curvis entered the ring in a return match with Wally Swift at the Ice Rink in Nottingham, both the British & Commonwealth titles were on the line. Once again Curvis won on points over the course of 15 rounds to not only retain his titles but to take his unblemished record to an impressive record of 20 bouts without defeat.
Brian Curvis. Image courtesy of Derek Rowe
Brian Curvis from the off looked like a fighter who could well add to the list of outstanding boxing champions produced in Wales over the years. Curvis (birth name Nancurvis) was born on the 14 August 1937. Curvis, who boxed in the southpaw stance, showed his ability in the amateurs winning the ABA welterweight crown in 1958. The Welshman entered the punch for pay code on the 2 June 1959 with an impressive 2 round stoppage over Harry Haydock in a bout staged at the Empire Pool Wembley, London. Curvis continued his successful run of wins resulting in a much deserved first crack at a major title. This opportunity came in his 14th fight on the 9 May 1960 against Australian George Barnes for the Commonwealth welterweight crown. This was no easy match for Curvis, Barnes the reigning champion was an experienced fighter who was entering the fight with a record of 65 battles winning 43 losing 18 with 4 drawn. The contest took place at Vetch Field in Swansea and to the delight of the many fans in attendance Curvis boxed his way to a 15 round points decision. After a further 2 winning matches Curvis went for his 2nd title against Wally
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Curvis was making excellent progress and was fast becoming a fan favourite. A further 3 fights followed which included two more successful defences of his British and Commonwealth titles. On the 10 April 1962 Curvis suffered his first loss in the professional ranks when he met American Guy Sumlin at the Empire Pool Wembley, being stopped in round 8 of 10 due to a cut eye. This was a setback but the Welsh boxer was soon back in action. On the 11 September 1962 Curvis returned to the Empire Pool and entered the ring to meet Ralph Dupas from the USA who was a tricky opponent with a record of 117 fights winning 95 losing 16 with 6 drawn. Curvis found his way back into the win column when Dupas was disqualified in round 6 of a scheduled 12 for various infringements during the encounter. (Dupas later went on to capture a world title in the super-welterweight division in 1963 when defeating the then defending champion Denny Moyer.) Curvis put on the gloves again on the 16 October 1962 and gained revenged over the first man to defeat him, Guy Sumlin, when he boxed his way to a 10 round points decision at the Empire Pool, Wembley. On the night of the fight with Curvis, Sumlin had a slate of 30 bouts consisting of 22 wins 7 defeats and 1 drawn. On the 12 February 1963 Curvis defended his British and
