WIDE VARIETY
The London EBA September meeting attracts both boxing and music stars
THERE was another good turnout at London EBA’S September meeting, with the raffle raising a very healthy £422. Among those welcomed were former world flyweight champion Charlie Magri; long-time member Len Bateman, over from America; and Jan Mack and husband Luddy Samms, the latter a one-time member of top music group, The Drifters. Jan was previously married to the late Freddie Mack, an American who boxed as a heavyweight from 1954 to 1965, and appeared in the UK several times (he was the first to KO British light-heavyweight ruler Chic Calderwood).
For many years Jan lived in Scotland and organised their annual Hall of Fame weekend. London EBA President Stephen Powell recalled that there was always a party from LEBA present, and invariably well looked after. Nowadays Jan and Luddy are based in the Caribbean.
Chairman Charlie Wright called on Tommy Mulholland, who said the annual Gary Davidson Golf Classic (held on the third Wednesday in August) was very successful. “We could have sold the venue out twice,” Tommy said. He thanked former world light-heavyweight champion John Conteh for a “brilliant” job as auctioneer. Beneficiary this year was Dave Smith of Eltham, who boxed Charlie Magri for the vacant British flyweight title in December 1977.
The Annual Boxing Memorabilia Fayre takes place on Saturday October 13, 1.30pm to 5.30pm, at the new Dick Collins Hall, Robert Street, London, NW1 3FB (about 200 metres from the original Hall). There’s free parking, with licensed bar and snacks, and many stalls selling a wide range of boxing memorabilia, including books, magazines, programmes, photographs, bric-a-brac and more. Having been myself for the first time last year, I can thoroughly recommend it. Lots of boxing people attend, with representatives of a good many EBAS. For more information, phone Chas or Kymberly Taylor on 01707 654 677 or 07956 912 741, or email kymberlytw@ aol.com.
The current LEBA newsletter, Seconds Out, includes a poem by member Ricky Porter, a tribute to the great Joe Louis (world heavyweight champion 19381949). Ricky regularly makes the trip up from Swindon to attend LEBA meetings.
I was pleased to see Ricky featured in BN’S Yesterday’s Heroes recently. He was a true pro who always gave 100 per cent. “I came to win!” he once told me. For instance, I saw his eight-rounder with
then up-and-coming John H Stracey, won by the latter by only a two-round margin.
The first time I saw Ricky box was at Reading Town Hall in 1969. In the chief support Ricky took on the unbeaten Pat Mccormack. They waged war from the opening bell, with Mccormack being halted on a cut in the second round.
In September 1972, Ricky beat Des Morrison for the vacant Southern Area welterweight title. As a ticket-buying fan, I couldn’t attend the bout (at the ‘members-only’ World Sporting Club), but at a show in Shoreditch the next night Ricky was called into the ring. Afterwards he was holding court in the foyer, happy to chat to fans. I asked why he and Mccormack had never fought again, given that their first bout was a war and ended so unsatisfactorily. “We couldn’t agree on the weight,” Ricky explained. Mccormack went on to become British super-lightweight champion in 1974.
Brighton EBA have a new HQ. As from next month, they’ll meet at The Romans, Manor Hall Road, Southwick, BN42 4NG. The Romans is just opposite the venue in Southwick where BEBA was founded in 2007! There’s ample parking, both on site and in surrounding roads, and Southwick train station is only a short walk away (about 10 minutes).
Brighton meet on the second Sunday of the month. Their current newsletter includes loads of photos from their successful Summer BBQ and the Wales Reunion. Plus some caustic comments from Chairman Ernie Price on the current heavyweight situation!