Eddie Thomas MBE former British, Commonwealth and European welterweight champion SIGNED & INSCRIBED "To Reg Best Wishes" black & white 6" x 4" press photo.

Condition very good (slight creasing)

This original photo is stamped with press Copyright and dated 28/8/1947, also attached is an original typed press summary about the 21 year old Welsh welterweight 'hopeful' on reverse.

Price: £45

Eddie Thomas MBE (27 July 1926 – 2 June 1997), former Welsh boxing champion and boxing manager.

Thomas was born in Merthyr Tydfil. After a highly successful amateur boxing career, he turned professional in 1946. He won the Welsh welterweight title in 1948, the British welterweight title in 1949, and the European welterweight title in 1951, retaining it for only four months. He held the British Empire title for a period in the same year.

Retiring in 1954, he became the manager of two of Britain's most successful boxing champions, Howard Winstone and Ken Buchanan.

Thomas had a successful business career for a time, but in 1994 he was forced to resign as Mayor of Merthyr Tydfil.

A BBC TV programme, Champ from Colliers Row, was made about him in 1997, shortly after his death.