Skip to main content
The Merthyr Matchstick
JOHN WIGHT looks back at the career and tragic early death of Welsh bantamweight champion Johnny Owen
Johnny Owen

IN 1977, when Welsh bantamweight Johnny Owen challenged for the British title in what would be his 10th professional fight, a pint of bitter cost 27 pence, a pint of lager 32 pence, while a pint of milk and a loaf of white bread set you back 11p and 22p respectively.

A Ford Cortina, for those with the means, cost around two and a half grand, while the average house price was £13,000.

Labour’s James Callaghan, Sunny Jim, was prime minister in 1977, and in the workplace the average wage of full-time manual worker was 70 quid for men and 43 quid for women. When it came to entertainment, among the top TV shows at the time were Citizen Smith, Mind Your Language, Robin’s Nest, George and Mildred, and Rising Damp. In the world of football, Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest stormed to the English First Division title in the 1977-78 season, seven points ahead of the previous season’s champions, Liverpool, managed by Bob Paisley.

Morning Star call for advertising
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
George Foreman yells, Oct. 15, 1974, in N'Sele, Kinshasa, Za
Men’s Boxing / 28 March 2025
28 March 2025
JOHN WIGHT pays tribute to the late great George Foreman who defied the odds throughout his life and career to become a household name and legend of the sport
John H. Stracey, right, who is to defend his European welter
Men’s boxing / 14 March 2025
14 March 2025
JOHN WIGHT writes about the fascinating folklore surrounding the place which has been home to some of the most ferocious bareknuckle and unlicensed fighters throughout history
Gross: Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman’s face in li
Men’s Boxing / 27 February 2025
27 February 2025
JOHN WIGHT questions how legend of the sport Roberto Duran is lending credibility to the sportswashing circus that is Riyadh Season — and at what cost?
25-11-2023 of John Cooney celebrating with his team after wi
Men’s Boxing / 14 February 2025
14 February 2025
Following the untimely death of 28-year-old Irish boxer John Cooney, JOHN WIGHT explores how the sport can be made ‘safer’ than it is at present