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Randolph Turpin vs. Tiberio Mitri
European (EBU) Middleweight Title
Trieste, Rome, Italy
May 2nd 1954
Attendance: 31,000

After losing to Carl 'Bobo' Olson in a challenge for the World Middleweight title, Randy was looking to re-establish his position as a genuine challenger. As preparation for the fight, he had outpointed Sweden's previously undefeated Olle Bengtsson over ten rounds. Mitri had gone 14 fights undefeated, with his last defeat coming at the hands of Charles Humez in 1951. Like Randy, Mitri had dominated in his own country, held the European title, and also lost in a challenge for the World title.

Why this fight was held in Mitri's hometown of Trieste in Rome, Italy is unknown. All but one of Randy's previous fights with him being defending champion were held in England. I can only assume that he was well paid to make the trip, although he had married for a second time six months earlier and perhaps wanted to take a holiday with his wife.

Randy had lost his previous two fights away from the United Kingdom, to Sugar Ray Robinson and Carl 'Bobo' Olson, both in New York, USA.

The fight begins with both fighters looking for an opening. Randy throws and lands the first punch of the fight, a stiff left jab and Mitri retreats around the ring with Randy following. Mitri makes his first advances of the fight and begins to look for an opening. He lands a left hook which doesn't look like the greatest of punches but it puts Randy down, although Associated Press at ringside reported that Randy "fell hard and his head hit the deck with a thump." It is possible that this heavy collision with mat, injured Randy more than the punch itself.

Randy gets to his feet after a count of 4, but looks very disorientated and immediately stumbles across the ring before falling down into the ropes. Mitri realising this charges across the ring as Randy returns to his feet, but Referee Juan Cervera-Buro stops his advances. Randy is led to his corner and appears to have recovered, he pleads with the Referee to let him continue but the bout is stopped.

Immediately hundreds of Mitri's fans enter the ring to congratulate him. Whilst Randy's manager George Middleton argues with Referee Cervera-Buro about the stoppage. Mitri was not a big puncher with only a 23% knockout percentage going into this fight. He had only knocked out 15 of his 74 opponents, and only 2 of his previous 27. Not fearing Mitri's punch, It is possible that Randy neglected his defence in this fight. Perhaps hoping that he could stand front of Mitri and wear him down, much like Jake LaMotta during their fight.

This defeat was a major setback in Randy's career, and saw an end to his World title dream and a return fight with Carl 'Bobo' Olson.

Winner: Tiberio Mitri (TKO 1)

[Associated Press] reported "A short left hook and then a right to the jaw slammed the 25-year-old Turpin to the canvas," adding "He fell hard and his head hit the deck with a thump."

"It was not right. I'm going to make a formal complaint. The referee should not have stopped the fight at all. I was ready to start fighting again as soon as I got to my feet..." [Randy Turpin]

"It was like a revolver shot. I saw him fall down. Now I'm ready for the world championship." [Tiberio Mitri]

This fight would be Randy's last in the Middleweight division. He returned to the ring over nine months later campaigning at Light-Heavyweight. He went on to reclaim the British Light-Heavyweight title but in the meantime suffered a shock knockout defeat at the hands of Gordon Wallace. This put an end to Randy's World title aspirations and although he did make a slight recovery a 2nd round Knockout against Yolande Pompey in 1958 saw him retire from the ring.

Mitri did not receive a shot at the World Middleweight title following this fight, as he was defeated by Britain's Gordon Hazell less than a month later. He did receive a shot at the European Middleweight title but was beaten by knockout in three rounds by Charles Humez. Mitri retired in 1957 after failing to earn another title shot with several of his later fights being held abroad in places such as Australia, Zimbabwe and Tunisia.

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