TRIBUTE TO KING AND SOWER
Remembering two ne gures of the ght game
DESPITE the fine weather, and the Bank Holiday weekend, there was a great turnout at London EBA’S May meeting, with the raffle raising a tremendous £456. The previous month had been the LEBA AGM, so restricted to members only, but this month more than compensated with visitors from Brighton, Essex, Croydon, Home Counties and Bournemouth EBAS.
Sadly, as so often, there was a minute’s silence to commemorate members who had passed on – and this month there were two, Freddie King and Paddy Sower. In his ‘President’s Report’, Stephen Powell paid tribute to both. He said Freddie had been a fine amateur – in fact he had around 150 contests, losing only four, and was one of a handful of men to beat the great Dick Mctaggart. He couldn’t reach the same heights as a pro, but he stayed very much involved with the game – he was the first to instigate amateur dinner-boxing shows.
It was as a pro trainer that he really shone, working with world champions Eamonn Loughran, Paul “Silky” Jones, Steve Collins and Herbie Hide. He was well respected in the boxing game – sadly he suffered from Alzheimer’s in his final years.
Stephen described Paddy as “a good friend to the boxing game.” He was a member of both London and Croydon EBAS. He’d lived on the Isle of Wight for years, but had family on the mainland – and when he came over, he’d always catch a London or Croydon meeting if he could. He was best-known as a pro referee, and I saw him in action many times.
One fight I didn’t see was a middleweight eight-rounder in Southend in December 1976, between Clive Davidson and Mick Hussey (the latter now a regular at Croydon EBA). I got a scathing report of his verdict from my old friend, the late Dennie Mancini, who managed Davidson. “A draw? Ridiculous!” Dennie fumed. “My man won easily. That Paddy Sower – he’s a plumber, and he referees like a plumber!” Some years later I was chatting to Paddy (he was always very affable), and I felt I could risk telling him that story. Paddy roared with laughter. “I remember that fight!” he said. “Unlucky to get a draw? He was lucky I didn’t disqualify him!”
Just days earlier I had chatted with Paddy again, at the Manor Place Baths Reunion. His death was a big shock. My condolences to Freddie’s and Paddy’s families.
The Reunion was of course a joint
venture between Essex and London EBAS, and Essex Chairman Tommy Burling took the mic to thank everyone who had turned up, and everyone who had helped. He repeated that the proceeds were to be divided between Herol Graham and the family of the late Scott Westgarth. The target of £5,000 had not quite been reached on the day, but people had generously donated to make up the shortfall – and, all being well, Herol and some of Scott’s family will be attending Essex’s May meeting at 11am this Sunday (May 20), at the Naval & Military Club, Royal Terrace, Southend, where they will be presented with their cheques.
There was quite a party from Bournemouth, who kindly donated two bottles of wine for the raffle. Acting as spokesman, Dave Toohig introduced his colleagues – and recalled that his uncle, Jim Toohig, had boxed Jack Powell, Stephen’s father and LEBA’S first Secretary. They met at Deptford Arena on June 15, 1936, and Jack won on points over 12 rounds. Jim Toohig incidentally was one of those responsible for getting Croydon EBA started – and Croydon’s current Chairman, Barry Penny, was amongst those present.
There was a welcome for Home Counties Chairman Bob Williams, who had been in action the previous evening – refereeing his first world title bout, Emmanuel Rodriguez vs Paul Butler for the IBF bantamweight belt.
Going back to Manor Place, Essex Secretary Raymond Lee tells me there are still copies of the two books for sale. These are The Manor Place Baths Record
Book and The Smoke Has Gone – The Memories Stay with Us, and each costs £10, plus £2.50 postage. Buy both, and the postage will be reduced. You can contact Raymond at raymond.lee@btinternet.com.