Johnny`s Page On 19th September 1980, Johnny Owen, British, European and Commonwealth Bantamweight Champion, outright winner of the Lonsdale Belt, Long Term Champion of Wales, Fought to add the World Championship Title to his magnificent resumé. Unfortunately something went drastically wrong in the ring, and Johnny`s quest came to an end. It is too painful for me to go into detail, but if the fight had been in the UK, it probably would have been stopped much earlier and Johnny would have been the victor. As it was in America, it carried on far too long, with terrible consequences. Johnny went into a coma and spent weeks in intensive care on a life support machine. Sadly we lost him on 4th November, after it was decided to let him go, bring him home to Wales and lay him to rest. The funeral flowers stretched for miles around, there were flowers from family & friends, royalty, politicians sporting heroes and celebrities, as well as from the local communities. In the aftermath of the tragedy, I had the honour of spending a few visits with his grieving family, and we are still in touch today. Johnny was always very special to me, and still is. In the ring he was a mighty warrior, in every day life, a kind, sincere, thoughtful, wonderful person who means the whole world to me. Johnny always was, and always will be my Hero, and Boxing has got nothing to do with it! I will always love him dearly and will Never forget him!.  This is my page in his honour and in loving memory. " He Fought The Good Fight With All His Might " In Loving Memory of Johnny Owen Sadly Gone, but Never Forgotten. Johnny`s Father took these photo`s of me with his belts, trophies and painting. Saturday 2nd November 2002 Today I had the immense honour of joining Johnny`s family and friends, for a wonderful and very fitting memorial service held in Johnny`s chapel in his home town, and to witness the unveiling of a beautiful, very lifelike bronze statue of Johnny. The unveiling was performed by his father and his final opponent, Mexican boxer, Lupe Pintor. Afterwards there was a buffet/refreshments by invitation only. It was a marvelous occasion of which Johnny would have been extremely proud, and Gareth and I felt immensely privilaged to have been invited.  It was great to see his family again, and to have the opportunity to meet and mingle amongst many boxers past and present, as well as other important people from the boxing/sporting world. Unfortunately it rained and was too dark and crowded to get a good photo of the statue, but as I now live only about 20 minutes from it I can go back as aften as I like and get plenty. The weather however didn`t spoil the occasion and Johnny was/is so dearly loved by the whole of Wales and his home town in particular, that nobody minded getting wet in order to see such a wonderful and moving tribute. However I did come away wishing he wasn`t out in the rain and felt like I wanted to wrap him up warm and cosy, but that`s just me and Johnny would find that highly amuzing, I`m sure!!! I would like to take this opportunity to thank Johnny`s parents and family, for inviting Gareth and I today, and congratulate them and "The Johnny Owen Memorial Fund" for all their hard work and dedication in keeping Johnny`s memory alive in such a wonderful way.  Update I have managed to get a photo of the statue since it was unveiled. It has proven a bit difficult to get a good one due to weather conditions, but I plan to go back again and get more as time goes on. I have blurred all background and enhanced the photo to show the statue the best I can. I wish to take this opportunity to thank Johnny`s family for their overwhelming generosity, friendship, hospitality and kindness over the years. A truly wonderful family and I feel proud and honoured to know them. I have made the following graphics and website award in Johnny`s memory. They are for my own personal use on this page, and for use by his family and/or website only. The award might be offerred at a later stage for other boxer tribute sites, but only if / when it is approved by his family. Thankyou JOHNNY`S FATHER Sadly Johnny`s father passed away on 15th December 2005. I will miss him dearly because he was a true friend and like one of my own family. I offer my condolences and best wishes to all the family, and would like to thank them for informing me, and allowing me the opportunity to    join them in paying my respects by attending the funeral. I am sure these two great and wonderful men are now reunited in Heaven. God Bless you both and all your family We all love you. It`s not the size of the man in the fight that matters, it`s the size of the fight in the man!!! For Johnny  © Rainbow 2007 NEW PAGE FOR JOHNNY I have started a new page for Johnny which includes video`s to watch courtesy of "YouTube" and books available via Amazon HERE JOHNNY OWEN APPRECIATION PAGE I have also started an appreciation page for Johnny HERE Please visit the official JOHNNY OWEN Website before you go and why not purchase a print copy of the fantastic lifelike painting "A Tribute To Johnny", featuring Johnny with all his own Boxing heroes whilst you are there :-) (click button above) Disclaimer. This page is intended only as my personal tribute to the most special man I ever met ... Johnny Owen. It is not intended for any publicity purposes. Whilst I do know his family, I respect their privacy. I will never reveal any personal information, their whereabout`s or anything else, so please don`t ask me. The photo`s on this page are protected and those that are not my own are used with permission. I will not enter into any correspondence or publicity out of loyalty to and respect of Johnny and his family. Thankyou.