THE GODFATHER

Birmingham City vs Cork show celebrated Frank O’sullivan’s 62 years as a coach, writes Clive Hogben

A superb night of boxing at the Burlington Hotel in Birmingham was held last month in honour of the godfather of Midlands boxing, Frank O’sullivan OBE, who celebrated 62 years as a coach. The Birmingham City ABC director of coaching witnessed his club’s eight to four win for the Jack Doyle trophy in their annual match against a Cork select team.

Boxing in front of many

Birmingham boxing royalty that included Tommy and Paddy Lynch, Bunny Johnson, Pat Cowdell and more. The standard was very high and the bouts were boxed with good technical ability from both camps.

The Dungarvan and Glen BC opposition, led by the very capable Gerry O’mahony and Robert O’driscoll brought together fighting spirit and gutsy performances. But the night belonged to the

modest former Cork man, 81-yearold Frank ably supported by coaches, son Mark and grandsons Mark and Stuart, Pete Williamson and the newly appointed CEO Dr Antonio Farruggia-bochnak.

Newly crowned Commonwealth gold medallist Galal Yafai was in attendance mixing with the crowd having photos taken along with pro brother Gamal by his side. World champion Kal was in the

US and couldn’t make the trip. That just goes to show how Frank is continuing a production line of champions, which was highlighted in the first bout of the night when 15-year-old Muddasar Razzaq boxed Dungarvan’s stubborn Josh Power. He showed City’s typically correct balance and movement.

RESULTS (Birmingham City first) M. RAZZAQ outpd J. Power split, B. LUCAS outpd L. O’rourke split, H. ALI outpd D. Buckley unan, A. LAVDAT outpd J. Veale split, M. L. BROUGHTON outpd O. Mcdonagh split, H. MALONE (Christ the King) stpd P. Walsh 2nd, U. RASCOLL outpd by A. Aberago split, R. Mcallister outpd by F. KONDE split, C. CUMUR outpd F. Buckley split, N. HALL outpd E. Lumanisa split.