Allan Toweel

Allan Toweel (13 May 1931 - 28 November 1995), was a former Welterweight (under 147 lbs/ 66,68 kg) boxer from South Africa. He became one of the finest trainer-managers in the history of SA boxing.
Personal
His father, Michael Joseph Toweel (better known as Pappa Mike), was instrumental in introducing the basics of boxing to Allan and his brothers. Allan was the brother of fellow boxers Willie, Jimmy, Fraser, and Vic Toweel; and uncle of Paul Toweel. Born in Benoni, South Africa, he attended Benoni West Primary, Benoni Convent and Benoni High School.
Career
As an amateur he won 126 out of 134 bouts. In 1946, he won East Rand, Transvaal and SA junior titles.
Fighting at welterweight, he won seven of eight professional bouts, with one ending in a draw. Troubled with asthma problems he turned down an offer from trainer Willie Ketchum, to go to America and unfortunately could not challenge Pat Patrick for the SA welterweight title.
Trainer
Under his father's guidance, he helped to train brothers Vic (who went on to win the World Bantamweight Championship, beating the great Manuel Ortiz who was recognised as one of the greatest bantamweight champions of all time) and Willie, who scored a draw for the world bantamweight crown against Robert Cohen, winning the British Empire lightweight title and achieving national titles in four weight divisions: feather, bantam, light and welterweight. Allan also trained Dennis Adams for his fight against Frankie Jones in October 1957 in Scotland, when the South African won the British Empire flyweight title in what was considered a major upset.
Some of the top fighters he trained were Mike Schutte, Kosie Smith, Pierre Fourie, Patrick Toweel, Bushy Bester, Kokkie Olivier, and Pierre Coetzer. For a while he also trained the South African Gerrie Coetzee (former Heavyweight Champion in 1983).
He died at the age of 64 on 28 November 1995.

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