{{short description|Tunisian-British boxer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox boxer |name=Charlie Magri |image= |image_size= |caption= |realname=Carmel Magri |nickname=Champagne Charlie |weight=Flyweight |height=5 ft 3 in |reach=64 in |nationality=British Tunisian |birth_date={{Birth date and age|1956|07|20|df=y}} |birth_place=Tunis, Kingdom of Tunisia |style=Orthodox |total=35 |wins=30 |KO=23 |losses=5 |draws= |no contests= }}
'''Carmel Magri''' (born 20 July 1956), who boxed under the name '''Charlie Magri''', is a British former professional boxer. He is from a Tunisian family that settled in Limehouse, London, where he grew up. During his professional career he held the WBC and lineal flyweight titles.
==Early life== Born Carmel Magri in Tunis, Tunisia in 1956 to Andre and Rose Magri, both of whom were born in Tunisia and had some French-Maltese heritage via their grandparents,<ref name="Magri-1">Magri (2007), p. 1</ref><ref name="Magri-3">Magri (2007), p. 3</ref> Magri moved with his parents and six siblings to England in 1958, and Magri was raised (after moving house a couple of times) on the Burdett Estate in East London.<ref name="Magri-3" /><ref name="BBC">"[https://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/image_galleries/boxing_people_places_gallery.shtml?23 History of London Boxing]", BBC, 28 October 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2017</ref><ref>"[http://www.londonexboxers.org.uk/boxing_lives_detail.php?boxer_ID=22 Charlie Magri]", London Ex-Boxers Association. Retrieved 26 December 2017</ref> Charlie Magri went to St Philip Howard RC Secondary School in Upper North Street in Poplar. It has been demolished and is now a housing development.
==Amateur career== After playing for the Millwall F.C. youth team, which was captained by Jimmy Batten, who was already boxing regularly, Magri decided to take up boxing.<ref>Magri (2007), p. 14</ref> As an amateur he boxed for Arbour Youth Boxing Club in Stepney Green and was trained by Jimmy Graham, who arranged for the name on Magri's ABA registration to be changed to Charlie when he was 11.<ref>Magri (2007), p. 5</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Charlie Magri |work=Birmingham Daily Post |date=10 June 1974 |accessdate=26 December 2017 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002135/19740610/429/0014| via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
Charles first ever amateur bout was against Chris Genkins of the Orpington Boxing Club.
He gained the following ABA titles: *ABA Youth Champion (Class A) - 1972 *ABA Youth Champion (Class B) - 1973 *ABA Light-flyweight Champion (48 kg) - 1974 *ABA Flyweight Champion (51 kg) - 1975 *ABA Flyweight Champion (51 kg) - 1976 *ABA Flyweight Champion (51 kg) - 1977
He also won a bronze medal at the 1975 European championships,<ref>{{cite news |title=Russians Take Six Golds |work=Aberdeen Press and Journal |date=9 June 1975 |accessdate=26 December 2017 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000578/19750609/328/0014| via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}</ref> and boxed for Great Britain in the 1976 Summer Olympics losing in the third round to Ian Clyde of Canada.<ref>{{cite news |title=Draw Boost for British Boxers |work=Aberdeen Evening Express |date=17 July 1976 |accessdate=26 December 2017 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000445/19760717/421/0022| via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Big, Big Shock |work=Sports Argus |date=24 July 1976 |accessdate=26 December 2017 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002192/19760724/242/0024| via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
==1976 Olympic results== Below are the results of Charlie Magri, a flyweight boxer, who competed for Great Britain at the 1976 Montreal Olympics:
* Round of 64: bye * Round of 32: was awarded a victory by walkover versus Eric Quaotsey (Ghana) * Round of 16: lost to Ian Clyde (Canada) by third-round knockout
==Professional career== Magri was 5 ft 3 in tall and had an exciting, aggressive style, being a two-handed puncher who did not care much for defence. He was managed by Terry Lawless.
While working as a tailor's cutter by day,<ref name="BTW">{{cite news |title=Magri Wins a Cracker |work=Aberdeen Press and Journal |date=7 December 1977 |accessdate=26 December 2017 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000578/19771207/263/0019| via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}</ref> he had his first professional fight in October 1977, at the age of twenty-one; He knocked out Neil Mclaughlin in the second round at the Royal Albert Hall.<ref>''New Statesman'', vol. 100 (1980), p. 10</ref>
In only his third fight he gained the vacant British flyweight title after his fight with Dave Smith was stopped in the seventh round, equalling Dick Smith's 63-year old record for becoming British champion in the fewest fights.<ref name="BTW" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Super '77 |work=Sports Argus |date=31 December 1977 |accessdate=26 December 2017 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0002192/19771231/159/0015| via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}</ref> In December 1977 he was voted Best Young Boxer by the Boxing Writers' Club.<ref>{{cite news |title=Magri Is Voted Best Young Boxer |work=Aberdeen Evening Express |date=15 December 1977 |accessdate=26 December 2017 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000445/19771215/244/0024| via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
In his twelfth fight, in May 1979, having won the previous eleven, he won on points against Franco Udella to take the European flyweight title. He won on points over twelve rounds at Wembley Arena.<ref name="Bunce">Bunce, Steve (2017) ''Bunce's Big Fat Short History of British Boxing'' (Kindle edition), Transworld Digital, ASIN B01KUHG9R0</ref>
In December 1979, he defended his European title against Manuel Carrasco, of Spain, winning on points.<ref>{{cite news |title=Magri Out Until Next Season |work=Aberdeen Press and Journal |date=27 April 1978 |accessdate=26 December 2017 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000578/19780427/183/0020| via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}</ref> In June 1980, he defended it again, this time against Giovanni Camputaro of Italy, winning on a technical knockout in the third.<ref name="Bunce" />
In February 1981, he defended his European title against Spaniard, Enrique Rodríguez, knocking him out in the second round.<ref>Thackrah, John Richard (1983) ''The Royal Albert Hall'', Terence Dalton, {{ISBN|978-0861380121}}, p. 160</ref> In September he fought a re-match with Rodríguez in Avilés, Spain, and again knocked him out in the second.
===World title=== In March 1983, he fought Eleoncio Mercedes, of the Dominican Republic, for the WBC and lineal flyweight titles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/fly.htm|title=Charlie Magri - Lineal Flyweight Champion|publisher=The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia}}</ref> The fight was at Wembley Arena and Magri won the titles when the fight was stopped in the seventh on cuts.<ref name="Fleischer">Fleischer, Nat & Andre, Sam (2002) ''An Illustrated History of Boxing'', Citadel Press, {{ISBN|978-0806522012}}, p. 405</ref>
In September 1983, he defended his world titles against Frank Cedeno, of the Philippines. The fight was at Wembley Arena, and Magri lost his titles when the referee stopped the fight in the sixth, after Magri had been knocked down three times.<ref name="Fleischer" />
===Later fights=== In his next fight, in August 1984, Magri fought for the vacant European flyweight title that he had previously relinquished. He fought Italian Franco Cherchi in Cagliari, Italy. Magri won in the first round when a clash of heads left the Italian so badly cut that the referee had to stop the fight.
In his next fight, in February 1985, he fought for the WBC flyweight title again. Since Magri had lost it, it had changed hands several times and was now held by Sot Chitalada of Thailand. The fight was held at the Alexandra Palace, London and Chitalada won on a technical knockout at the start of the fifth, after Magri's corner retired him due to cuts.<ref>Mee, Bob (1997) ''Boxing: Heroes & Champions'', Book Sales Inc., {{ISBN|978-0785807780}}, p. 71</ref>
In October 1985, Magri fought a re-match against Franco Cherchi, in Alessandria, Italy, winning by a knockout in the second round.<ref>''Britannica Book of the Year 1985'', Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., p. 387</ref>
In May 1986, Magri had his last fight, defending his European title against Duke McKenzie of Croydon.<ref>Harding, John (2016) ''Lonsdale's Belt: Boxing's Most Coveted Prize'' (Kindle edition), Pitch Publishing, ASIN B01LDFM1XY</ref> Magri had relinquished his British flyweight title in August 1981, and McKenzie was now the holder. The fight was stopped in the fifth round when Magri was knocked down and his manager, Lawless, threw in the towel when Magri beat the count.
==Professional boxing record==
{{BoxingRecordSummary |draws= |nc= |ko-wins=23 |ko-losses=5 |dec-wins=7 |dec-losses=0 |dq-wins= |dq-losses= }} {|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%" |- !{{abbr|No.|Number}} !Result !Record !Opponent !Type !Round, time !Date !Location !Notes |- |35 |{{no2}}Loss |30–5 |align=left|Duke McKenzie |{{small|RTD}} |{{small|5 (12)}} |{{small|1986-05-20}} |align=left|{{small|Wembley Arena, Wembley, England, U.K.}} |align=left|{{small|Lost European flyweight title}} |- |34 |{{yes2}}Win |30–4 |align=left|Franco Cherchi |{{small|KO}} |{{small|2 (12)}} |{{small|1985-10-30}} |align=left|{{small|Palazzetto dello Sport, Alessandria, Italy}} |align=left|{{small|Retained European flyweight title}} |- |33 |{{no2}}Loss |29–4 |align=left|Sot Chitalada |{{small|RTD}} |{{small|4 (12)}} |{{small|1985-02-20}} |align=left|{{small|Alexandra Palace, Wood Green, England, U.K.}} |align=left|{{small|For WBC and ''The Ring'' flyweight titles}} |- |32 |{{yes2}}Win |29–3 |align=left|Franco Cherchi |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|1 (12)}} |{{small|1984-08-24}} |align=left|{{small|Cagliari, Italy}} |align=left|{{small|Won vacant European flyweight title}} |- |31 |{{no2}}Loss |28–3 |align=left|Frank Cedeno |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|6 (12)}} |{{small|1983-09-27}} |align=left|{{small|Wembley Arena, Wembley, England, U.K.}} |align=left|{{small|Lost WBC and ''The Ring'' flyweight titles}} |- |30 |{{yes2}}Win |28–2 |align=left|Eleoncio Mercedes |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|7 (12)}} |{{small|1983-03-15}} |align=left|{{small|Wembley Arena, Wembley, England, U.K.}} |align=left|{{small|Won WBC and ''The Ring'' flyweight titles}} |- |29 |{{yes2}}Win |27–2 |align=left|Jose Torres |{{small|PTS}} |{{small|10 (10)}} |{{small|1982-11-23}} |align=left|{{small|Wembley Arena, Wembley, England, U.K.}} |align=left| |- |28 |{{yes2}}Win |26–2 |align=left|Enrique Rodríguez |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|2 (12)}} |{{small|1982-09-18}} |align=left|{{small|Pabellón Deportivo de La Magdalena, Aviles, Spain}} |align=left|{{small|Retained European flyweight title}} |- |27 |{{no2}}Loss |25–2 |align=left|Jose Torres |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|9 (10)}} |{{small|1982-05-04}} |align=left|{{small|Wembley Arena, Wembley, England, U.K.}} |align=left| |- |26 |{{yes2}}Win |25–1 |align=left|Ron Cisneros |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|3 (10)}} |{{small|1982-04-20}} |align=left|{{small|Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, England, U.K.}} |align=left| |- |25 |{{yes2}}Win |24–1 |align=left|Cipriano Arreola |{{small|PTS}} |{{small|10 (10)}} |{{small|1982-03-02}} |align=left|{{small|Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, England, U.K.}} |align=left| |- |24 |{{no2}}Loss |23–1 |align=left|Juan Diaz |{{small|KO}} |{{small|6 (10)}} |{{small|1981-10-13}} |align=left|{{small|Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, England, U.K.}} |align=left| |- |23 |{{yes2}}Win |23–0 |align=left|Jose Herrera |{{small|KO}} |{{small|1 (10)}} |{{small|1981-06-20}} |align=left|{{small|Empire Pool, Wembley, England, U.K.}} |align=left| |- |22 |{{yes2}}Win |22–0 |align=left|Enrique Rodríguez |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|2 (12)}} |{{small|1981-02-24}} |align=left|{{small|Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, England, U.K.}} |align=left|{{small|Retained European flyweight title}} |- |21 |{{yes2}}Win |21–0 |align=left|Santos Laciar |{{small|PTS}} |{{small|10 (10)}} |{{small|1980-12-08}} |align=left|{{small|Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, England, U.K.}} |align=left| |- |20 |{{yes2}}Win |20–0 |align=left|Enrique Castro |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|1 (10)}} |{{small|1980-10-14}} |align=left|{{small|Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, England, U.K.}} |align=left| |- |19 |{{yes2}}Win |19–0 |align=left|Alfonso López |{{small|PTS}} |{{small|10 (10)}} |{{small|1980-09-16}} |align=left|{{small|Conference Centre, Wembley, England, U.K.}} |align=left| |- |18 |{{yes2}}Win |18–0 |align=left|Giovanni Camputaro |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|3 (12)}} |{{small|1980-06-28}} |align=left|{{small|Empire Pool, Wembley, England, U.K.}} |align=left|{{small|Retained European flyweight title}} |- |17 |{{yes2}}Win |17–0 |align=left|Aniceto Vargas |{{small|KO}} |{{small|3 (10)}} |{{small|1980-01-22}} |align=left|{{small|Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, England, U.K.}} |align=left| |- |16 |{{yes2}}Win |16–0 |align=left|Manuel Carrasco |{{small|UD}} |{{small|12 (12)}} |{{small|1979-12-04}} |align=left|{{small|Empire Pool, Wembley, England, U.K.}} |align=left|{{small|Retained European flyweight title}} |- |15 |{{yes2}}Win |15–0 |align=left|Candy Iglesias |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|3 (10)}} |{{small|1979-10-23}} |align=left|{{small|Conference Centre, Wembley, England, U.K.}} |align=left| |- |14 |{{yes2}}Win |14–0 |align=left|Raul Pacheco |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|6 (10)}} |{{small|1979-09-25}} |align=left|{{small|Empire Pool, Wembley, England, U.K.}} |align=left| |- |13 |{{yes2}}Win |13–0 |align=left|Freddie Gonzalez |{{small|KO}} |{{small|3 (10)}} |{{small|1979-05-29}} |align=left|{{small|Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, England, U.K.}} |align=left| |- |12 |{{yes2}}Win |12–0 |align=left|Franco Udella |{{small|SD}} |{{small|12 (12)}} |{{small|1979-05-01}} |align=left|{{small|Empire Pool, Wembley, England, U.K.}} |align=left|{{small|Won European flyweight title}} |- |11 |{{yes2}}Win |11–0 |align=left|Mike Stuart |{{small|KO}} |{{small|3 (10)}} |{{small|1979-02-20}} |align=left|{{small|Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, England, U.K.}} |align=left| |- |10 |{{yes2}}Win |10–0 |align=left|Filippo Belvedere |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|1 (8)}} |{{small|1979-01-23}} |align=left|{{small|Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, England, U.K.}} |align=left| |- |9 |{{yes2}}Win |9–0 |align=left|Mariano Garcia |{{small|KO}} |{{small|3 (8)}} |{{small|1978-12-05}} |align=left|{{small|Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, England, U.K.}} |align=left| |- |8 |{{yes2}}Win |8–0 |align=left|Claudio Tanda |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|1 (8)}} |{{small|1978-10-24}} |align=left|{{small|Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, England, U.K.}} |align=left| |- |7 |{{yes2}}Win |7–0 |align=left|Sabatino De Filippo |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|7 (8)}} |{{small|1978-09-12}} |align=left|{{small|Conference Centre, Wembley, England, U.K.}} |align=left| |- |6 |{{yes2}}Win |6–0 |align=left|Manuel Carrasco |{{small|PTS}} |{{small|8 (8)}} |{{small|1978-04-25}} |align=left|{{small|Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, England, U.K.}} |align=left| |- |5 |{{yes2}}Win |5–0 |align=left|Dominique Cesari |{{small|RTD}} |{{small|3 (8)}} |{{small|1978-04-04}} |align=left|{{small|Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, England, U.K.}} |align=left| |- |4 |{{yes2}}Win |4–0 |align=left|Nessim Zebelini |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|3 (8)}} |{{small|1978-02-21}} |align=left|{{small|Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, England, U.K.}} |align=left| |- |3 |{{yes2}}Win |3–0 |align=left|Dave Smith |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|7 (15)}} |{{small|1977-12-06}} |align=left|{{small|Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, England, U.K.}} |align=left|{{small|Won vacant British flyweight title}} |- |2 |{{yes2}}Win |2–0 |align=left|Bryn Griffiths |{{small|TKO}} |{{small|2 (8)}} |{{small|1977-11-15}} |align=left|{{small|York Hall, Bethnal Green, England, U.K.}} |align=left| |- |1 |{{yes2}}Win |1–0 |align=left|Neil McLaughlin |{{small|KO}} |{{small|2 (8)}} |{{small|1977-10-25}} |align=left|{{small|Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, England, U.K.}} |align=left| |}
==After boxing== Magri was the manager for super-featherweight boxer, Dean Pithie. Magri owned a sports shop on the Bethnal Green Road and later owned the Victoria pub in Bow, east London.<ref name="BBC" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/BN08/detail.asp?id%3D116 |title=Boxing News |accessdate=2009-12-25 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100622015820/http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/BN08/detail.asp?id=116 |archivedate=2010-06-22 }}</ref>
In 2017 he became a coach at Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College's boxing academy.<ref>King, Samantha Lauren (2017) "[https://feweek.co.uk/2017/09/24/former-world-champion-boxer-charlie-magri-is-new-head-coach-at-colleges-boxing-academy/ Former world-champion boxer Charlie Magri is new coach at college’s boxing academy]", feweek.co.uk, 24 September 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2017</ref>
==See also== *List of world flyweight boxing champions *List of British world boxing champions
==References== {{Reflist}}
==Sources== *Magri, Charlie (2007) ''Champagne Charlie'', Pennant Books, {{ISBN|978-1906015091}}
==External links== *{{Boxrec|id=42462}} *{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070208130336/http://www.britishboxing.net/boxers_281-Charlie-Magri.html British Boxing website – Fight stats]}} *[http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/cmagri.htm "Champagne" Charlie Magri - CBZ Profile]
{{s-start}} {{s-sports}} {{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Amateur boxing titles}} {{s-before|before=Michael Abrams}} {{s-ttl|title=ABA Light-Flyweight champion |years=1974}} {{s-after|after=Michael Lawless}} {{s-before|before=Maurice O'Sullivan}} {{s-ttl|title=ABA Flyweight champion |years=1975 – 1977}} {{s-after|after=Gary Nickels}} {{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Regional boxing titles}} |- {{s-vac|last=John McCluskey}} {{s-ttl|title=British flyweight champion |years=6 December 1977 – 1977<br>Vacated}} {{s-vac|next=Kelvin Smart}} {{s-bef|before=Franco Udella}} {{s-ttl|title=EBU flyweight champion |years=1 May 1979 – 1982<br>Vacated}} {{s-vac|next=Antoine Montero}} |- {{s-vac|last=Antoine Montero}} {{s-ttl|title=EBU flyweight champion |years=24 August 1984 – 1984<br>Vacated}} {{s-vac|next=Franco Cherchi}} {{s-bef|before=Franco Cherchi}} {{s-ttl|title=EBU flyweight champion |years=30 October 1985 – 20 May 1986}} {{s-aft|after=Duke McKenzie}} {{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=World boxing titles}} {{s-bef|rows=2|before=Eleoncio Mercedes}} {{s-ttl|title=WBC flyweight champion |years=15 March 1983 – 27 September 1983}} {{s-aft|rows=2|after=Frank Cedeno}} {{s-ttl|title=''The Ring'' flyweight champion |years=15 March 1983 – 27 September 1983}} {{s-end}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Magri, Charlie}} Category:1956 births Category:Living people Category:Tunisian male boxers Category:Boxers from Tunis Category:English male boxers Category:Boxers from the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Category:England Boxing champions Category:Olympic boxers for Great Britain Category:Boxers at the 1976 Summer Olympics Category:British Boxing Board of Control champions Category:European Boxing Union champions Category:World flyweight boxing champions Category:World Boxing Council champions Category:The Ring (magazine) champions Category:People from Mile End