THE MOUGHTONS
Looking back at one of London’s famous ghting families
IHAVE always been interested in boxing dynasties. There have been some very notable families in the rich seam of British boxing history and the Danahars from Bethnal Green stand out. I wrote about Arthur Danahar’s contest with Eric Boon in a previous column. Arthur was the most prominent member of the fighting Danahars, but there were many others, from Tom, active from 1903, to George, who hung up his gloves 80 years later. Between them this family appeared nearly 600 times on fight bills in the capital, boxing regularly at some of the most well-known venues, including Wonderland, the Blackfriars Ring, Mile End Arena and York Hall.
Another London family with an excellent fighting pedigree are the Moughtons, from Stepney. Many older readers will remember Graham Moughton of Monteagle, West Ham and Repton Bc.despite never winning an ABA title, he was still, in my view, one of Britain’s best amateur boxers. In a glittering career of over 300 contests Graham boxed four men who would become professional world champions. John H. Stracey, Terry Marsh, Ayub Kalule and Sugar Ray Leonard all had tough bouts with him. Kalule won by a cut eye stoppage, while Leonard had to settle for a majority verdict when the two fought at the Felt Forum in New York City in an England vs USA match in January 1973.
Graham’s first success came in 1962 when he became National Schools champion. In 1966 he lost in the final of the London Senior Championships at featherweight against future British champion, Jimmy Revie. He put this right by becoming London champion twice, in 1970 and 1978. Graham made his international debut in 1968 and he went on to represent England and Great Britain on 35 occasions. At the Munich Olympics in 1972 he was made the GB team captain. He won his first two fights but was then eliminated by the eventual bronze medallist, Zvonimir Vujin. Despite many offers, Graham did not turn professional and this was mainly because of the frequent problems that he had with injuries to his hands. He would have made a remarkable pro had he turned over.
Graham’s grandfather, Bert, was an outstanding bantamweight in the years leading up to the first world war and in a 13-year career, from 1908 to 1921, he took part in 131 pro contests. Bert started boxing professionally when he was an active serviceman. This was very common at the time as many soldiers and sailors managed to combine a successful career as a professional boxer while also serving King and country. Bert’s early bouts took place in Ireland, where he was serving with the Army Service Corps. Throughout his lengthy ring career Bert was always billed from Dublin and this was because of his army service. He was, however, a true cockney, being born and bred in London’s East End.
Bert took part in the 1909 Army and Navy Championships, reaching the second round of the featherweight tournament before being eliminated by Jack “Dusty” Miller. In 1910 he left the army and he had 18 contests during a seven-week period in February and March. He remained phenomenally busy, taking part in 46 bouts before the year was out. He graduated to 20-round class in 1911, by which time he had become a top-flight boxer. He never quite broke through to championship level. He came up a little short when matched with men of the highest calibre.
When young Graham was starting to make waves as a junior in 1964, Bert, who lived with the family in Barking, passed on a lot of his knowledge and skills to the young lad. Forty-five years later Graham was able to do the same with his nephew, George Moughton. George, who boxed for Newham BC, was a Junior ABA finalist and a London representative. Although he never became as successful as either of his illustrious forebears, he continued to keep the Moughton name in the boxing headlines.
GRAHAM’S GRANDFATHER, BERT, WAS AN OUTSTANDING BANTAMWEIGHT IN THE YEARS LEADING TO THE FIRST WORLD WAR