by Keith Lewis-Jones
Plaque sited at CF47 8LR
Eddie Thomas, 1925-1997, was born in Merthyr.
He was a miner who won the Amateur Boxing Association lightweight title in 1946. He turned professional and became the British, European & Empire welterweight champion from 1949 to 1951. His weight difficulties and injury forced his retirement in 1952.
He became a very successful manager and took both Howard Winstone & Ken Buchanan to World Championships.
He was Mayor of Merthyr Tydfil in 1994 and later became a Freeman of the
Borough.
He was trained by Ephraim Hamer