TRAILBLAZERS
Essex pay tribute to Turpin, Langford and more
THE latest Punch Lines, Essex EBA’S monthly newsletter, has an interesting two-page feature on black boxers, from bare-knuckle days to the start of the 20th century. There’s special mention of three fine heavyweights who never won a world title – Sam Langford, Joe Jeanette and Sam Mcvey.
It ends with a section on ‘firsts’. I knew the first black fighter to win a British title under BBBOFC rules was Dick Turpin in 1948, but I’d forgotten about Andrew Jephtha (or Jeptha), who won the welterweight belt (under NSC rules) by knocking out defending champion Curley (or Curly) Watson in four rounds in March 1907. Jephtha lost the title back to Watson in the November, but he still made history. And the first black man to referee a world title bout was Zack Clayton, who handled the fifth and last meeting between heavyweights Jersey Joe Walcott and Ezzard Charles in 1952 (Walcott kept his title on points).
There’s a tribute to Michael Watson, MBE, with particular reference to the way he’s fought back since receiving lifechanging injuries in his 1991 return with Chris Eubank – and comments on both the current world heavyweight scene and some recent controversial decisions. I can’t agree with everything that’s said – but, as I’ve said many times, it’s good that EBAS show they take an interest in today’s scene and aren’t simply into reminiscing about the past. And that’s one box Essex ticks consistently.
Essex have produced several scrapbooks on past fighters. These are very good indeed. The newsletter reports that No. 7 is currently in production – the subject being Jimmy Davis of Bethnal
Green, one-time trainer of British featherweight champion Terry Spinks and current LEBA member Johnny Kramer. It’s also reported that the first scrapbook – on former British feather champ Sammy Mccarthy – proved so popular that it’s been reprinted. But once the second lot have gone, that’ll be it – so if you want one, contact Essex Secretary Raymond Lee on raymond.lee9@btinterent.com. Essex are due to meet again on Sunday December 20. I hope it comes off.
I was so sorry to hear of promoter Greg Steene’s death. Greg and his late father, Alex, were great supporters of London EBA and the EBA movement generally. I covered Greg’s first-ever show (a joint promotion with my good friend Harry Holland) at the Lyceum in April 1982. Top of the bill was an absolute war between ex-british super-lightweight
champion Colin Power, from Paddington, who was now campaigning at welter, and Welshman Gary Pearce. It was one of the most exciting bouts I’ve had the privilege of covering, with both giving everything until Pearce’s tank gave out in the sixth round and he was put down for the count.
As mentioned in last week’s obituary, Greg wasn’t so happy with my report of his fighter Dennis Andries’ points win over Tom Collins in January 1984 – but Andries definitely won, to become British light-heavyweight champion at the third attempt, and of course went on to win the WBC title three times. I met Greg and his wife, Jackie, many times – Jackie was normally on the box office at Greg’s shows. My sincere condolences to Jackie – her loss is boxing’s loss, too.
A reader asked me if I had contact details for former light-heavyweight Victor Attivor. Unfortunately I don’t – but if Victor, or anyone who knows him, reads this, please let me know and I’ll forward the email on. I remember Victor – a Ghanaian based in Clapham – as a fine boxer in the 1970s, managed by former British featherweight champion (and current London EBA member) Bobby Neill. His record of 10 wins and two draws in 29 bouts is misleading – he met some of the best, and boxed abroad many times. His best result was a tworound KO of reigning Commonwealth champion Steve Aczel – sadly the title wasn’t at stake, and Victor would twice fall short in challenges against another Australian, Tony Mundine.