CAMPAIGN FOR MINTER
The former world middleweight champion deserves an honour READERS may remember that some years ago there was a major campaign to secure an honour for “Paddington Express” Terry Downes, who reigned as world middleweight champion between 1961 and 1962. Many EBAS gave their support, and the campaign was given loads of publicity in BN by the late Ron Olver in his Old-timers column. And eventually Downes was rewarded with a BEM.
Now a similar campaign has been started on behalf of Alan Minter, who also won the world middleweight title, in 1980. And whereas Downes’ victory over Paul Pender took place in Wembley, Minter had to travel to America to meet undisputed champion Vito Antuofermo – and he beat him on points, on his home turf. In a rematch in Wembley, Minter won on an eighth-round retirement, not having dropped a round on any of the cards.
Today, Minter is Life Vice-president of Brighton EBA – Downes was Home Counties President up to his death last year. I totally support the campaign to get Alan an honour, and, like my predecessor, I’ll give it what publicity I can. The form was being circulated at the September Croydon EBA meeting, and just about everyone present signed it. I hope the pattern has been/will be repeated among other Associations.
The Croydon meeting was lively as usual, with the raffle raising £85. Chairman Barry Penny reminded the meeting of Croydon’s Sunday Lunch – set for the Masonic Hall, Oakfield Road, on October 28. This promises to be an excellent do, and great value at £25 per head. I hope there’s a good turnout, from Croydon and other EBAS – for tickets, or more information, contact Barry on 0208 651 2742.
Barry reminded the meeting that Brighton EBA have a new venue – The Romans, Manor Hall Road, Southwick, BN42 4NG. The first meeting there will be this Sunday (October 14) at 12pm, and Barry felt it would be nice if some Croydon members attended – showing support for Brighton at their new venue. It’s vital that EBAS support one another.
I wish Brighton well – changing one’s meeting place can be a bit of a gamble, but we’ve seen it work for many other Associations. London has moved several times in its 47-year existence, and Croydon had to move last year, with The Ivy House being due to be demolished – but members were canvassed for ideas, Pat Doherty (former Commonwealth lightweight champion) suggested The Orchard, and it’s turned out very well. I’ll be interested to hear how Brighton get on
Barry also suggested organising a
minibus for the Home Counties EBA Christmas Party on December 16 at Bricket Wood Sports and Social Club, Oak Avenue, Bricket Wood, St Albans. This is always a good day, and excellent value at £5 per head. I hope the support’s forthcoming, from Home Counties and other EBAS. And other EBAS will be holding Christmas parties, of course – so if yours is, do let me have the details and I’ll publicise them.
A recurring theme in current EBA newsletters is the highly enjoyable visits to EBA and other boxing functions. Manchester lead off with their visit to Wirral and Home Counties describes the recent Hall of Fame Awards as “a great turn of champions past and present in attendance in what is always a great affair.” Leicester leads with the same event, with the headline “Famous Day” – there’s a group photo and also a story on their visit to the Welsh convention.
The theme’s the same, all the way through – thanks and congratulations to the organisers of these events. They don’t just happen – a lot of time and effort is involved, and the appreciation is fully deserved.
But the people who attend can give themselves a pat on the back, too. It can be so disheartening when people put a lot of effort into staging the event, and very few bother to turn up. In many cases, EBAS travelled long distances, organised transport, paid for overnight accommodation – these trips are timeconsuming and often expensive. But enough people thought the effort and expense was worthwhile – and that’s why the events went so well.