GET WELL SOON, MICKEY
Amateur star Abrams undergoes surgery
NICE to start with some good news – all being well, London EBA should be able to hold their first meeting in a year on March 7, at the Sports Bar and Grill, Old Street. It will be great to get together again.
To quote Secretary Ray Caulfield in the latest Seconds Out, LEBA’S monthly newsletter, “Not been a great year for any of us, but we have not lost any of our 100+ attending members to the virus … and we have had only about eight members who caught the virus and have recovered. Well done to you all for keeping to the rules – you are an example to all the nation.”
Well done, indeed. It’s due to some people not behaving responsibly that things have got worse after apparently getting better. It’s vital that everyone takes the long view. I said above “all being well,” and we can’t take anything for granted. For instance, Home Counties EBA hoped to hold a Christmas party this Sunday (December 20), but have reluctantly decided to cancel. A tough decision, but definitely the right one.
Going back to LEBA, among those who caught the virus and have recovered are my good friend and fellow-committee member Bob Cheeseman and his wife, Lynda – and it’s worth noting their experience. “We thought we had bad colds,” Bob says, “but strict instructions from our daughters made us shoot to the testing centre. Two days later we were another two to make up the numbers.” Which shows that none of us can be too careful.
Bob adds: “We would like to thank everyone for calls of support – greatly appreciated – especially Barbara
O’sullivan, who has phoned every day.” Well done, Barbara – and well done all EBA members who have taken the trouble to phone, and keep up with, members and friends in these difficult times. When people are on their own, and unable to go out, a friendly call is so welcome.
In his “Out and About” feature, Bob records the passing of loyal member George Ashbolt, and Danny Enifer, from the famous fighting family. Danny sadly died from Covid – he was a fine amateur whose career was cut short by a sparring injury. My condolences to their families and friends.
Bob also records that member Mickey Abrams has recently undergone brain surgery. As an amateur, Mickey won three ABA titles at light-flyweight, and a bronze medal at the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games in 1970 – and he’s been a regular
at LEBA and BEBA meetings. Everyone wishes him well in his latest battle.
Like so many EBAS, London strongly supports the current scene – and there are two articles by Mike Taub on today’s fighters. In the first, he congratulates Denzel Bentley on winning the British middleweight title, and recalls Terry Downes doing the same in 1959. The connection? Both Bentley and Downes boxed as amateurs for the Fisher Club.
Downes of course went on to win the world title – and in later years he was a staunch member of LEBA, and President of Home Counties EBA. Bentley is trained by LEBA member Ray Bull, who credits two other members – Steve Hiser and Colin Lake – for their help when he was starting out.
Mike goes on to give an account of the recent Joe Joyce v Daniel Dubois heavyweight clash, and his thoughts on the result. He describes Joyce’s performance as “impressive,” and extends LEBA’S best wishes to Dubois in his comeback.
There’s a letter from Ross Minter, thanking LEBA for the tribute to his late father, Alan, in October’s Seconds Out, and the report of Alan’s funeral.
Ross writes: “My Dad loved going to and being a part of LEBA, where he enjoyed catching up with friends and boxing folk alike.
“Please let me know when your meetings start up again as I want to come up and thank all the members personally for their great support.” Hope to see you on March 7, Ross.
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