A ‘MONSTER’ COUP
AFTER grinding to a halt with the two scheduled supermiddleweight and cruiserweight finals postponed, the World Boxing Super Series has risen from the canvas in confirming four top fighters in the upcoming bantamweight tournament. Naoya Inoue’s inclusion is a “Monster” coup for the WBSS, with the pound-forpound star joining Ryan Burnett, Zolani Tete and Emmanuel Rodriguez in the 118lb competition. A guaranteed three fights for the winner (and runner-up) is great business for these ‘little guys’ of the sport, for whom lucrative deals can often prove hard to come by. Lewis Watson
TWO GOOD MEN
LIFE is too short. That is said at the saddest of times, and it is so true. The boxing world has been saying these words recently due to the sad loss of Brendan Ingle and Dean Francis.
Both of these losses must inspire us, though. Firstly, with Dean. As men, sometimes we ignore symptoms of illness until it can be too late. We are too brave far our own good. An early diagnosis can save a life. We must all learn from those who have gone before us. As well as this, Dean should inspire us to never give up the fight. No matter how bad things get, we must never give up.
Secondly, the awe-inspiring Ingle. Most of us fans didn’t know Brendan. But we always knew one of his fighters as soon as we saw them box. Now the stories will come of his greatness as a human being and not just a trainer. He made lives better. He loved and cared without the need for gratitude. He gave so much of himself to those who needed love. With more people in this world like Brendan, surely it would be a better place. Michael Coverley
REST IN PEACE
IT was so sad to see two quality boxing men in Brendan Ingle and Dean Francis pass away recently. Brendan helped shape the youth of Sheffield, while Dean could have been a world champion if it were not for injuries. Nevertheless, he still achieved so much. May both men rest in peace. Mike Hills
MANOR PLACE BATHS
I’D like to thank those responsible for the books about Manor Place Baths, much championed by Simon Euansmith recently in his weekly EBA column. Reading about Manor Place Baths brought back some wonderful memories for me, as someone who boxed there several times as an amateur in the ‘70s. Any true boxing fan will enjoy these books. Priced at under £25.00, including postage and packaging, they are worth so much more. Bob Kempster
SRR & MURDERERS’ ROW
I READ Springs Toledo’s article about Sugar Ray Robinson in the May 24 issue with interest, and I look forward to reading his book, Murderers’ Row. The Murderers’ Row fighters were certainly short-changed; I don’t think Robinson was so much afraid of them, but it was just that he’d have had to be at his best every time against them. Mark Taha
FRANK AND FURY
FRANK WARREN is a very clever promoter. He will ease Tyson Fury back into the big time against Sefer Seferi, knowing full well that everyone will tune in to see the former heavyweight king’s comeback fight. Frank has a knack of helping ‘problem fighters’ get back to their best, or at least very near to their best. This is good news for Fury. Ian Owen