Ground Breaking Boxers

Wenton Family

A legendary figure of international vests and championship titles, Golden Gloves ABC boxer, Terry Wenton Snr was regarded as one of the greatest amateur boxers of his time. He is one of four siblings, born to a Sierra Leone father and Liverpool Irish mother. His other three brothers went onto achieve local and national success in the entertainment industry. After a string of amateur title successes, he made his England debut at the age of twenty-two in 1966 and continued to box competitively, up until the age of forty-eight. A lifetime of devotion to his beloved sport brought him, richly deserved successes, in the ring. That devotion was shared through his two sons, Nigel Wenton, born on 6th April 1969, and Richie Wenton, born 28th October 1967, who he introduced to the sport. Their inherent talent and their dad’s tenacity would drive them to the very top in both their amateur and professional careers. Boxing out of Wavertree ABC, Nigel, went onto win 105 out of 110 amateur fights, securing, along the way, numerous domestic schoolboy and international titles. Following his debut at the City Hall Sheffield winning against Steve Taggart with a TKO, he went onto contest thirty-one fights throughout his professional career. He spent several years in America, where he enjoyed considerable sporting success, winning 17 out of 18 professional contests. These achievements brought him to the attention of the internationally reknowned boxing promoter and manager, Frank Warren. Their joint endeavours brought him a shot at the WBO Super Light Welterweight Title against Vibo Valentia. After a spirited performance he was forced to retire from this bout and professional boxing, altogether, at the age of twenty-nine. Following in the illustrious footsteps of his dad, Richie Wenton enjoyed a distinguished career at both amateur and professional levels. A brilliant amateur career saw him win 95 of his one 108 fights. Winning schoolboy and international titles, along the way. The outstanding abilities demonstrated during his amateur career were to extend into his professional career. Victory at British Super Bantam Weight title, at York Hall Bethnal Green on 26th April 1994 against Bradley Stone – who tragically passed away, several days after the contest – winning by a TKO. This was the start of a run of many title contests at British, European and world titles. This included triumphs at Everton Sports Centre Liverpool, against Michael Parris for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental Super Bantam Weight, on 30th June 1995: swiftly followed by the win over Wilson Docherty for the British Super Bantam Weight belt at the Festival Hall Basildon in 1996: his other three hotly contested fights for the European Super Bantam Weight Title, British Featherweight title and the vacant WBO World Super Bantam Weight title resulted in gallant and courageous loses. The outstanding achievements of the Wenton boxing dynasty has to be recognised and applauded as one of Liverpool’s legacy of sporting milestones. Their inclusion in the Guinness Book of Records for their exceptional performance in May 1980 when all three won, on the same card, in England vests, at the Kirkby Civic Suite. This is a mere reflection of this family’s wonderful sporting life.