A TALE OF GOODWILL
In true Christmas spirit, here is a heartwarming story of generosity towards Cliff Anderson
AS it is Christmas, and a time of goodwill, I am going to recount a tale that demonstrates the integrity, the sense of fair play and the kindness of the staff and the readership of Boxing News in days gone by.
It is 1947 and Nel Tarleton, a threetime British featherweight champion, has finally retired after a long and distinguished career. The division is thrown wide open, but rather than ordering a match between the two leading challengers, Ronnie Clayton and Al Phillips, the Board insist on a series of eliminators. The colour bar is still in operation within British boxing. It was finally lifted later in the year. Cliff Anderson, a highly ranked feather from British Guiana, was therefore not chosen as a participant in the eliminating series.
Instead, Cliff was matched with Phillips for the vacant British Empire title. Anderson had arrived in the UK in 1941 having joined the Merchant Navy as a stoker. He then sailed from his native country to come to Britain to play his part in the war effort. Coincidentally, Phillips was also a Merchant Navy man.
After the war ended, Anderson built up an impressive record. In a highly controversial contest at the Royal Albert Hall, referee Peter Muir adjudged that Phillips had done enough to warrant the decision after 15 rounds. Phillips was decked three times in the fourth, each time for nine seconds, and the referee had incurred the wrath of the crowd by consistently warning Anderson for petty offences. When the verdict was announced, the booing started and it did not subside until well into the contest that followed. The press was unanimous in its condemnation of the decision.
The following week, the editor of Boxing News stated that the paper would instigate and organise a scheme that had been suggested by a London sportsman, George Ingram. The plan was to raise sufficient money to present Anderson with a belt “for the injustice and disappointment caused him through being announced the loser of a contest he undoubtedly won in the opinion of everyone but the referee.”
The Board, meanwhile, held an inquiry into the result of the bout and concluded that the referee had no case to answer and that the result should stand. This only seemed to add fuel to the fire, and contributions to the fund came pouring in. Among the contributors were Will Hay and Bud Flanagan from the world of entertainment, and two MPS from the North East of England. Another contributor was the delightfully named Dosdill Duggleby, an 11-year old boy from Bridlington, who probably donated his pocket money to the fund.
Within a couple of months, sufficient money had been raised to commission a silver belt. A photograph of the belt, around Anderson’s waist, appeared in Boxing News on July 9. This was during Anderson’s preparation for the rematch with Phillips, for the same title, and due to take place a few days later. The award was made by the proprietor of Boxing News, Vivian Brodzky.
Anderson was very grateful for the kindness shown him by Boxing News readers, and as part of his acceptance speech he read a letter from his father which said, “Everyone in British Guiana is waiting to let you see that they respect you, and the way you have been treated in England. Remember Cliff, it does not matter if you win or lose with Phillips, just as long as you play fair.”
In the rematch controversy reigned once again. In the eighth, Anderson threw a well-intentioned body punch. Phillips took a half-turn and the blow landed on his kidneys. The referee disqualified Anderson immediately. Anderson rushed to the stricken Phillips, lay down beside him, put his arms around him, and then burst into tears.
The belt he had been awarded meant a great deal to Anderson, and he was always treated kindly and fondly by the many British fight fans who saw him throughout the rest of his career.