MANOR PLACE BATHS REUNION
The fight fraternity gather to remember a famous venue
FORTY years after Manor Place Baths were demolished, fight people from all over the country gathered in Southwark to recall this famous venue. The event was the brainchild of Essex EBA Chairman Tommy Burling, and a joint venture between Essex and London EBAS. Among those who played a part were Essex Secretary Raymond Lee and LEBA’S Charlie Wright, Bob Cheeseman and Robbie Wilson.
As well as the introductions and awards (medals and certificates for those who had boxed there), there were seven exhibition bouts featuring boys (aged eight to 12) from Newham ABC. “Champions of the future,” MC Steve Holdsworth said. EBA members of the future, too, perhaps?
Leeds President Allan Richardson never boxed at Manor Place, but made the trip down and was reunited with old foe Vernon Sollas. The pair met twice, both ending in eighth-round stoppages – but whereas Sollas won the first, in February 1975, Richardson got revenge in the return, relieving Sollas of the British featherweight title he had won in his next outing.
Sollas described Richardson as “one of the greatest fighters I ever boxed as a pro,” and it was great to see the mutual respect between these two former opponents. Incidentally, Sollas boxed once at Manor Place, beating South Africa’s Bashew Sibaca in May 1974. He had previously outpointed Sibaca at the Albert Hall – this time a shoulder injury resulted in a sixth-round retirement.
Former IBF super-lightweight champion Terry Marsh was a welcome attendee. He never boxed at Manor Place, but was invited to make a couple of presentations. Hastings Chairman Dave Harris brought along former European and British bantamweight champ Johnny Clark. Johnny boxed out of Walworth, but surprisingly appeared at Manor Place only once – his last bout, a points win over Italy’s Luigi Tessarin in May 1974. There were hopes of a world title bout but, sadly, he had to retire because of a detached retina.
Johnny was called into the ring together with another fine bantam from the same era – Tony Humm, former Southern Area titlist and currently an active LEBA member. I had the honour of presenting them with their medals and certificates. Steve Holdsworth asked Tony if he’d have liked to have boxed Johnny. “He would have been too good for me,” Tony modestly replied. “You can’t say that!” Johnny said. “We never did it in the
ring, so we can’t know!”
I was delighted to meet former Southern Area super-welter champion Tony Hudson, whom I covered many times in the 70s. “I boxed here eight times, and never got beaten!” Tony said proudly.
Steve Holdsworth is best-known as a TV commentator, but in the past he has been a BN staffer, pro referee, promoter and pro boxer. And he appeared twice at Manor Place, beating Sylvester Gordon on points in 1977 but losing on the scorecards to Billy Jeram in 1978. He had just one more contest after that, a draw with Robbie Robinson in Heathrow – and Paddy Sower, who refereed that bout, presented Steve with his medal.
As mentioned, Essex Secretary Raymond Lee was one of the prime movers behind this project and, in a nice gesture, Raymond was called into the ring so that his wife, Teresa, could present him with the medal for his late cousin, George Dormer, who boxed between 1955 and 1961 and appeared at Manor Place in April 1956, beating Robert Meunier on points. And LEBA’S Barbara O’sullivan, together with son Jamie, were called in to receive Barbara’s late husband Mickey’s certificate from Johnny Clark. Mickey – long-time LEBA Chairman – appeared at Manor Place six times, winning four, drawing two.
This is an important point. Obviously, many fighters who appeared at the Baths are no longer with us – the first show there was in 1908. But medals and certificates, where applicable, have been prepared for everyone, so if you have a relative who boxed there, or know of someone who boxed there, or boxed there yourself, do contact either Raymond Lee (raymond.lee9@btinternet.com) or myself.
Congratulations, once again, to everyone whose hard work made the day possible.