SKILLS WITHOUT SPITE
THE recent Steve Bunce piece on Muhammad Ali’s venture to the Soviet Union in the late 1970s (July 30 issue) brought to mind an exhibition I was fortunate to witness while travelling in India in 1980. On a dry, dusty Sunday afternoon, a full house at the National Stadium in New Delhi got to see Ali and Jimmy Ellis display their craft, minus any hurt business. A follow-up bout had Ali tease, to great tumult, the reigning heavyweight champion of India, whose name is missing from the fight poster now framed in my back bedroom. Another episode in Ali’s world peace tour odyssey... it was all great fun. There is a place for boxers to exhibit; I hope that the Mike Tyson-roy Jones Jnr exhibition is just a show of skills, without spite. Mick Moreton
BEAUTIFULLY SCRIPTED
HATS off to Otis Adams! I have just read this author’s very personal, touching and heart-warming story about Tommy Morrison in the July 30 issue. As a lifelong boxing fan and admirer of Tommy, it brought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye. A fascinating piece that was beautifully scripted. It’s not often you read something that instills laughter and sadness in equal measure. BN have done a tremendous job during lockdown and I’m loving all the stories of yesteryear. Sam Samman
FINALLY ESTABLISHED
WOMEN’S boxing has come a long way from the early days of occasional undercard fights, featuring the likes of Christy Martin and Laila Ali. Take the Terri Harper-natasha Jonas fight as an example. It was a headline contest on Sky Sports – two highly skilled Brits fighting for a world title in a tremendous bout that demands a rematch. With the Katie
Taylor-delfine Persoon world title sequel also coming up soon, I think it’s safe to say that women’s boxing is no longer just breaking through in the sport – it is now finally established and has the respect and appreciation it has long deserved. Paul Thorpe
SAD SITUATION
I WAS so sad to read of the plight of one of my favourite fighters of all time and one of the UK’S greatest boxers ever, the wonderful Ken Buchanan (August 6 issue). I recall all of his great fights, in particular his terrific wins over Ismael Laguna and his spirited stand against the legendary Roberto Duran, having been fouled beyond belief, with the referee doing nothing about it. What a sad situation this exquisite fighter finds himself in. The sooner the Ringside Rest and Care Home is up and running the better. Stuart Greenberg