NEVER FORGOTTEN
Paying tribute to those who have recently passed away
EBA correspondent
NO meetings for the foreseeable future, but the EBA newsletters keep coming. Which is great – in these difficult times it’s vital that members stay in contact. Sadly, the latest London newsletter (Seconds Out) deals largely with reports of deaths – four due to the coronavirus.
Bill Fleming passed away after picking up the virus while on holiday in Spain in March. He was 87. As a youth, Bill boxed for West Ham BC. In later years he was a keen LEBA member who loved attending meetings and rubbing shoulders with his boxing heroes and his contemporaries.
Billy Walker (former fly and bantamweight) was another coronavirus victim. He was 82. Billy – another LEBA regular – was born in Glasgow, but the family moved to London when he was still a small child. Between February 1959 and September 1961 he had 16 bouts, winning 11. His final bout was a three-round loss to Brian Cartwright, later to challenge for the British superfeatherweight title.
Other coronavirus deaths recorded were Colin Webster and Les Stevens. Colin was a dedicated member of Finchley and Islington BC, and in his tribute, LEBA President Stephen Powell described him as “a well-respected, much-loved character on the amateur circuit. He was a great asset to amateur boxing, one of the unseen army of helpers and supporters that are the very soul of the fight game.”
I remember Les Stevens, from Reading, as a fine pro heavyweight – 23 wins in 28 contests. He lost a British title eliminator to current Central (Midlands) EBA President Bunny Johnson (who went on to become British champion at both heavy and light-heavyweight) – but in his next bout Les beat Tim Wood to become Southern Area champion.
In February 1974, he took on reigning European, Commonwealth and British (and future world) light-heavyweight champion John Conteh at the Albert Hall. Conteh had been mowing opponents down inside the distance, but Stevens put up a gallant show for the full 10 rounds. The newsletter records that Les’ family contacted John while Les was in hospital, and asked him to send Les a message to wish him well. John promptly obliged with a video message that Les was able to share with the nurses. Just another example of the bond that exists between former opponents.
There’s also a tribute to Freddie Mccarthy, who has died at the age of
99. Freddie was the older brother of former British featherweight champion Sammy, who of course died this year. Freddie was a fine amateur, winning the Navy featherweight title, and it was he who introduced Sammy to boxing. And there are tributes to late LEBA members Johnny Kidds, Ron Bebbington, Billy Graydon, Pat Gutteridge and Duncan Chalmers. My condolences to all their families and friends.
I was sorry to read that member Bernie Khan is in hospital, having had a fall at home and broken his right leg in two places. With the coronavirus, he’s not allowed any visitors other than his grandson, Paul, who lives with him, and I’m sure everyone will join me in wishing Bernie a full and speedy recovery.
On a happier note, there’s a comprehensive report of LEBA’S Annual
Awards Lunch in February, which as always was a great success. All the winners are named and there are several photographs – more than one featuring John Conteh, who is a great supporter of the EBA movement.
The current Central (Midlands) EBA newsletter includes an in-depth feature on Scott Quigg, written by Craig Birch. Quigg recently retired after a fine career that saw him win the WBA superbantamweight title. There are plenty of revealing quotes from him, and I think the most apt is: “Boxing has given me and my family a better life.” That’s true for so many boxers – and something the anti-boxing brigade can’t or won’t accept.
EMAIL simonoldtimers@googlemail.com with your ex-boxer association news.