HEARTFELT THANKS
I HAVE been involved in boxing for many years, and have made some fantastic friends along the way – I’m currently closely associated with Tony Sims and his stable of fighters. I also remember winning a t-shirt for writing Boxing News’ Letter of the Week about 15 years ago!
On January 1 this year, the lives of myself and all of my family were turned upside down when we received the dreadful news that my nephew, Michael, had been found dead in Amsterdam. He was only 25. As I write this, the investigation into his death is still ongoing. Hearing of my family’s situation, my close friends in the gym quickly helped with my quest to raise awareness, and the response from the boxing community throughout the country on social media has been truly exceptional. On behalf of all my family, I would like to convey my heartfelt thanks to every single person who has helped.
From my own point of view, it would be remiss of me not to mention specifically John Ryder, Martin J Ward and Bobby, SAUK, Simon Clayton and Lee Crawford, Thestocktrio. God Bless you all. Bill Moran
A TOUGH WATCH
I LOVE my boxing, but I found the recent bout between Marcus Morrison and Jason Welborn a tough watch. Far be it from me to criticise a trainer as good as Joe Gallagher, for whom I have the utmost respect, but I think this was a rare occasion for him to pull his man out early.
Morrison’s punches were having little or no impact on his teak-tough opponent. Also, he was well behind in the fight and was taking some very heavy shots – as his badly marked-up face would testify. There are times when a fighter knows he is second best, but hangs in there to ‘take his licks’. There are other times, such as this, when a young fighter making his way in the sport can be protected and saved for another day. Tim Farmer, Petworth
SIMPLY SOMETHING SPECIAL
UNFORTUNATELY for the likeable Anthony Crolla, Jorge Linares was just too good on the night in their rematch. I thought Crolla was going to be stopped, but he rose from the canvas in the eighth round and got through the rest of the fight, even having some late success. But Linares is simply something special. His skills and timing are fantastic, and he looked like he had everything under control. Crolla is a tough and proud man, but Linares showed that he is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters. Patch Hammond, Norwich