Randolph Turpin

July the tenth in nineteen fifty one that was Randolph Turpin's day
He became the world middleweight boxing champion by outpointing the great Sugar Ray
He was then the toast of Britain their professional world boxing king
Artists lined up to paint his portrait and singer songwriters his praises did sing.

Two months later in the Polo Grounds Sugar Ray Robinson regained his title through K O
But for ten hard rounds Leamington Spa's Randolph slugged it out with him toe to toe
In what is still seen as a boxing classic Randolph Turpin lost his crown
To the greatest all time boxer he so gallantly went down.

Randolph's brothers Dick and Jackie were also champion boxers the Turpin's were raised the hard way
Yet they made a name for themselves in the boxing ring fighting for pay
On that July night in Earl's Court Randolph Turpin rose to fame
And in the annals of the fight game his is a legendary name.

Randolph Turpin the black boxer to a nation brought great pride
Yet he died in his late thirties as a victim of suicide
All of those who knew the famous boxer told of one who was good and kind
And that a better person than him would be surely hard to find.

He was such a noble champion and world wide acclaim he won
And he will always be remembered as the Pride of Leamington
And the mighty Randolph Turpin only fought the very best
And he was not found to be wanting when he was put to the test.