Amir Khan adds to tributes
CHAMPION boxer Amir Khan, who dropped in to visit his ‘oldest fan’ at her home back in 2008, has joined in community tributes to Ada Gibson.
The former light-welterweight world champion said he had a very clear recollection of meeting Ada at her then home on Grange Street.
He said: “It was nice to meet somebody who was such a big fan at the age she was. She was probably my oldest fan.
“She was over the moon when she opened the door. We had a really good chat, she was so nice and it was amazing that she understood everything about boxing at the age she was. She was telling me about hoping she’d make it to 100 and saying she’d still watch me fight then. It made me really happy to meet someone like her and put a smile on her face.”
Boxing fan Ada even gave Khan some advice for future fights.
He added: “She told me to keep my hands up, she said sometimes you get too brave and need to keep your guard up to stop getting hit. I remembered that.
“She was a very sweet lady. She said every time she saw me get hit it hurt her as well.
“If I wasn’t in London I would be at the funeral to pay my respects. I will be sending flowers and my respects to her family.”
Ada’s daugher Barbara said meeting the Bolton fighter was one of the highlights of her mum’s life. She explained: “She was absolutely thrilled to bits, she couldn’t believe that somebody so famous would come to her house and speak to her. Since then she looked on him as a son.”
Mayor of Hyndburn Coun Tim O’Kane also paid tribute.
He said: “I’ve known Ada all my life and she attended my parents’ wedding in 1953. She was a charming woman who raised Clayton’s profile with her many charity events in later life.
“When other people put their feet up to enjoy their retirement she did the opposite. Only Ada could learn to swim at an age when she qualified for a free TV licence! She talked the town up with her letters to the Observer and always had a ready smile.”
Cathy Yates, the acting manager at Hope House where Ada spent her final years, said she was a “wonderful and well known” woman. She added: “She will be sadly missed by everyone.”