93 YEARS YOUNG
Happy birthday to 1948 London Olympian Tommy Prof tt
CONGRATULATIONS to Manchester EBA Life President Tommy Proffitt, who turned 93 last Friday (July 13). Tommy won the ABA bantamweight title in 1948, and went on to box in the London Olympics that year (along with London EBA stalwart Ronnie Cooper). He turned pro soon afterwards, and in a career lasting just over four years packed in 57 outings, winning 34 (18 inside schedule) and drawing one.
In March 1950 he scored his third win over Ron Bissell in an official North Central Area bantamweight title eliminator, but he never boxed for that belt. In September he beat Bobby Boland in a British title eliminator, which set up a final eliminator against the great Peter Keenan, which Tommy lost in two rounds.
In 1951 he defeated Jackie Fairclough in a final eliminator for the Central Area title, but he never contested that belt either. He lost his last four, but all against quality opposition. Tommy took Hogan “Kid” Bassey – future world featherweight champion – to a points verdict in October 1952. Less than three weeks later they met again, with Bassey winning on a seventh-round retirement. Empire flyweight champion Jake Tuli beat Tommy in four, and Tommy retired after a fifth-round defeat to John Kelly, who went on to take the British and European bantamweight titles from Peter Keenan.
Many happy returns, Tommy, and to fellow Manchester members Joe Kirby (80), Joe Royle (79) and former Central Area bantam titlist John Green (52). John won the Central Area belt in his sixth pro outing, outpointing Gerry Mcbride in December 1987.
The Manchester newsletter also has a fascinating article by regular contributor Lawrence Yearsley, on the old boxing booths – with particular reference to Manchester southpaw Les Mccarthy, who took to fighting on the booths towards the end of his ‘regular’ career.
Like most EBAS, Manchester support their fellow Associations, and take an interest in today’s scene. The newsletter notes that a 40-seater coach has been booked for August 12, as Manchester have been invited to visit Wirral EBA. I hope there’s a good take-up – visits between Associations are so important. And there’s a plug for the forthcoming bouts between Dillian Whyte and Joseph Parker, Amir Khan and Samuel Vargas and Kell Brook and Brandon Cook, with the hope that Khan and Brook will “get it on” soon.
Brighton EBA’S another that ticks all
those boxes. Their current newsletter records that they have booked a minibus for the Home Counties EBA Summer Barbecue this Sunday (July 22). I hope all 17 seats are filled. I’ve mentioned before that Leicester are also planning to have a party there – with support from all over, it should be a great day.
As most of you know, Brighton Chairman Ernie Price has had health problems – but happily he’s made a good recovery (he was able to visit Croydon EBA recently) – and he’s on great writing form in the newsletter, with his views on Tyson Fury vs Sefer Seferi. Whether you agree with Ernie’s opinions or not, his ‘A’round and A’bout’ feature is always a good read. As are Terry Francis’ articles on fighters of the past. This time he features Floyd Patterson, the first man to regain the world heavyweight title. I always had a soft spot for Patterson, as he was world champion when I started following boxing.
And there’s a nice mention of Ted Cheeseman’s recent win over Paul Upton – nice because Teddy isn’t a local fighter, he’s one of London EBA’S ‘Young Guns!’ So Brighton don’t care only about their own – they support boxing generally.
The Central (Midlands) EBA newsletter mentions the recent Sam Eggington vs Peter Kramer show at Villa Park, and records that “Midlands boxing is on the up”, with Errol Johnson and his BCB team having four events scheduled for July. They also plug the show at Birmingham Arena on September 8, topped by Khan vs Vargas.
And there’s a comprehensive piece by Craig Birch on former unified world super-middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe, with plenty of input from the man himself. “Boxing has provided me with some wonderful times and amazing experiences,” Joe says. “It’s given me a life I could have never had otherwise.”