TWENTY-TWO years ago Welsh boxer Johnny Richard Owen stepped into a Los Angeles ring to challenge Lupe Pintor of Mexico for the world bantamweight title. It was meant to be Owen’s date with destiny, and that’s how, tragically, it turned out.

Knocked out in the 12th round on the night of September 19, 1980, Owen died on November 4, never regaining consciousness.

Owen’s family refused to blame Pintor. Their son died doing what he loved. When Johnny’s father, Dick, met Pintor in the Los Angeles hospital, he embraced him.

This week Pintor travels to Owen’s hometown, Merthyr Tydfil, to unveil a statue in honour of the Welshman. He will also meet Owen’s mother, Edith, for the first time.

“Johnny Owen will stay with me forever. Just before the fight we hugged and wished each other luck. I can’t forget his smile, I can’t forget his face, I can’t forget the way he fought,” Pintor said. “In the ring, we knew only to fight. Now I believe he is in my spirit. He is with me, making me stronger, making me a better man.”

By the time Johnny’s mother arrived in the Medical Center on Hope Street, where her son lay on a life-support machine, the 25-year-old champion had returned to his home in Mexico City, where, every day, he found himself in church, asking forgiveness, praying that Johnny would live, questioning the devastation he had inflicted with his fists.

“When the news came that he had died, I was at home. I was aware by then it was inevitable — but that moment when I was told still took everything out of me.

“I didn’t want to continue boxing. I only continued fighting when his family sent a message of support and friends and my family convinced me this was my way of making a better life.”

The darkest, most shameful moment in the Olympic Auditorium was when Owen’s prostrate body was urinated on while being carried from the arena — a sight cheered wildly by the crowd as a sign of their man’s virtuosity.

Back in the Welsh valleys, Dick Owen and his family came to terms with that shocking experience and the subsequent revelation that Johnny’s abnormally thin skull meant boxing was an activity he should never have pursued.

“I called the Mexicans rotten out there, but over the years I reflected and they were only rooting for their man. I think they were sorry after,” said Dick, now 76. “If he’d had the scans earlier, Johnny might not have boxed.”

For years, his room was maintained as he had left it, his trophies from a distinguished amateur career displayed with the belts he won as a professional and the photos that told the story of his career. But it became too painful. The Owens often speak of him as if he is still around. They do not need reminders that he is not.

When friends started to raise funds to build a life-size bronze of the Matchstick Man in his home town, the Owen family endorsed the project. Dick flew to Mexico with a BBC Wales camera crew who are making a documentary to be shown later this year.

Twenty-two years after they tearfully parted, he and Pintor were reunited on the Mexican’s doorstep. They wept again.

“We fell into one another’s arms. I helped him and he helped me,” Dick said. “He told me he still was carrying John’s spirit with him. I met his family, his wife and his three boys. We sat down and emptied two bottles of whisky between us. I have never held anything against him. He’s a lovely fellow.

“After that night in Los Angeles I had not been to another boxing match until I went with Lupe to an arena nearby where he had a couple of young boys fighting. It was bloody hard, but I couldn’t look away, because I love boxing. So did John. I was introduced from the ring and people came up to shake my hand. I asked Lupe if he would come to Merthyr and he promised he would.”

A service will be held at noon on Saturday in the Welsh Baptist Church. The congregation will then head to the St Tydfil shopping precinct, where Pintor will unveil the memorial.

Owen’s death brought too much suffering for any mother, but Edith Owen will stand side by side with Dick and meet Pintor for the first time. He will see her smile, and something inside this gentle man will touch her soul. Johnny Owen will be home again.

Donations, made out to The Johnny Owen Memorial Fund, can be sent to Fred Rees, Appeal Treasurer, 180 Tyntyla Road, Llwynypia, Rhondda, Mid Glam, Wales CF40 2SP