A GREAT BOXING MAN

The life of Jim Mccarthy remembered

AMATEUR boxing stalwart Jim Mccarthy has passed away.

Jim [inset] boxed his way through his National Service in the Fleet Air Arm and, when he left, he eventually joined Kent Police and moved to join St. Mary’s Amateur Boxing Club in Chatham, a club that is still thriving. He spent many years there working alongside Ernie Magog helping to train young boxers, many of whom went on to achieve boxing honours including Johnny Armour and Ian John Lewis, currently a professional referee. Jim covered every job possible within the sport from his boxing days to coach and trainer (taking his Advanced Coach’s course), Official in Charge of tournaments,

timekeeper, judge and referee. He would do anything to help the sport, his club and the boxers involved, including gloving up, driving a minibus and washing up at tournaments! Much as the unsung heroes of the sport still do today Jim moved into the administration of the sport becoming a committee member then President and subsequently Life Vice President of Kent Amateur Boxing Association for many years. As a result of his association with Kent he was affiliated to Southern Counties ABA and again moved up through the ranks of committee member, Legal Adviser, President and Life Vice President. Jim then moved on to the Amateur Boxing Association of England where he spent the final year of his working life as the General Manager based at Crystal Palace. That year, 2001-2002, coincided with the Commonwealth Games being held in Manchester, and he was honoured to be able to represent his sport at such a prestigious event in his home country, including presenting medals to winners from around the Commonwealth.

He took boxers far and wide from all levels of the sport, to local, national and international tournaments, latterly, as team manager, to places including Finland, Canada and France. Jim’s whole life outside of work (which again was connected to helping people in both the police and then the Probation Service) was totally committed to the support, advancement and furtherance of amateur boxing.