Cuthbert TAYLOR

Born to an English father of Caribbean heritage and a Welsh mother, Cuthbert Taylor earned his trip to the Olympic Games in Amsterdam by winning the Amateur Boxing Association flyweight title early in 1928. He became the first black boxer to compete for Great Britain and only the 3rd black British Olympian after Harry Edward and Jack London. After defeating an Argentine fighter in his first bout he was outpointed by Armand Apell of France in the Olympic quarter-final.

Taylor turned professional in December 1928 and, in only his second professional fight, fought a draw with future world champion Jackie Brown. By 1929 he was Welsh bantamweight champion but although he was recognised as one of the best in Britain in his weight category he was denied a chance to fight for the British title due to a rule that prohibited non-white fighters from challenging for the championship. Taylor fought from 1928 to 1944 and then made a brief comeback in 1947. His career record, which may be incomplete, is listed at 151 wins, 68 defeats, 22 draws and 5 no-contests.