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Looking at some of the latest EBA newsletters MOST EBAS produce a newsletter, often containing fascinating articles on boxers past and present. The latter is important – to keep going, EBAS need to attract new blood, and one way of doing this is to support today’s fighters.
The current Central (Midlands) EBA newsletter has an in-depth interview by Craig Birch with Tyson Fury, ahead of his December 1 clash with WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. Naturally, Fury pulls no punches. “People say I’m arrogant,” he says. “I am, because I believe I’m the best. And the best don’t mess.”
He’s confident he’s got the beating of both Wilder and Anthony Joshua. “I can go 12 rounds with any heavyweight in the world, right now. Joshua and Wilder can’t say that… Wilder has been 12 rounds once, Joshua has been 12 rounds once. I’ve been 12 rounds three times.”
There are two pages of pictures from the recent Hall of Fame event, and Chairman Martin Florey congratulates Jason Welborn and Nina Bradley on their September title fight wins (British middleweight and Commonwealth female super-lightweight respectively).
In the North Staffs News section, Secretary Richard Vaughan says visits to other EBAS are planned for the coming months and invites “anybody with a passion for our great sport who wishes to join our friendly, welcoming Association” to contact him on 07985 468 004 or by email at rich0906@yahoo.co.uk
There’s always plenty to read in Mug’s Alley, the Merseyside Former Boxers’ Association newsletter, and the October issue reproduces two fascinating articles from the ‘70s by the late Syd Dye, for many years of the Liverpool Echo.
The first deals with Alf Mcevoy, ringmaster at Liverpool Stadium for more than 30 years. “He was the man who saw that the ring and all its necessary fittings were in order for the once regular Thursday night shows, and until the Board of Control inspectors took over the job, he worked the scales at the weigh-in, helped organise the roster of referees, and saw that the gloves were ready and fitted correctly.” Alf was also a coach, “a man whose opinions and ability to impart knowledge were valued by both the amateurs and professionals alike.”
The other traces the career (amateur and pro) of the late Gerry Costello, who went on to become a committee member of the sadly now-defunct Sefton EBA.
In an interesting snippet we learn that there are 10 boxers with more than 100 Ko/stoppage victories to their credit.
There are three Britons on the list – Billy Bird, George Odwell and Jimmy Wilde. I remember Odwell as an active member of London EBA in its early days (he died in 1995, aged 84). There are some great names on his record, with wins over the aforementioned Bird and Jack “Kid” Berg. Odwell lost two of his last three, on points to future British champions Ernie Roderick and Henry Hall. The picture on the front of the latest
Punch Lines, Essex EBA’S newsletter, shows London and Essex member Pat Thompson (former Central Area light-heavyweight champion) with Fisher ABC’S Sacha Hickey. The caption notes that Pat has given Sacha a few tips – another way EBA members can show their commitment to today’s boxers.
Inside, there’s the good news that former British and European bantamweight champion Johnny Clark attended Essex’s August meeting, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Johnny hasn’t been in the best of health for a while, but these outings are a real tonic for him. I remember he also had a great time at the Manor Place Baths Reunion in April, so well done to Hastings EBA Chairman Dave Harris for bringing Johnny to both events.
There’s also an interesting article on LEBA member Johnny Kramer, who won Southern Area welterweight and middleweight belts in the ‘60s. Johnny never boxed for a British title, but outpointed future British middleweight champion Bunny Sterling in a Southern Area 160lb title defence (losing the return on a cut).