 Downes lost his first World Title shot to Paul Pender in Boston in January 1961.The following July, however, Downes fought Pender again, this time in London, and defeated the American in front of a raucous Wembley crowd, with Pender retiring at the end of the ninth round with cuts over both eyes.Downes was recognised as world champion by "The Ring" magazine in August 1961, and was named Sports Writers' Association Sportsman of the Year later that year.