BOB WILLIAMS
The boxer-turned-ref’s fistic heritage
Sadly, we have to say goodbye to some dear friends
EBA correspondent
ONE casualty of the coronavirus has been that some EBAS haven’t been able to produce their newsletters – at least, not every month. So I was very pleased recently to receive one from Manchester EBA – only their third since March.
Sadly, the newsletter reports the passing of two members – Eddie Sinclair and Brian Doyle. Eddie, MEBA’S former pro, had been battling cancer for some time. As an amateur he boxed for Whitehall ABC in the 1950s, and he is described as “an avid collector of boxing memorabilia and a mine of information on the history of boxing, especially local boxers.” Brian unfortunately couldn’t attend meetings but took a great interest in boxing, especially local boxers and MEBA. The newsletter goes on to say Brian was a great benefactor to the MEBA charity fund, to which he donated several times a year. Both will be very much missed.
The MEBA newsletter regularly includes a piece by boxing historian Lawrence Yearsley, and the latest is on James “Sailor” Field, a bare-knuckle bruiser from the 18th century. Field was a career criminal who would ultimately die on the gallows – but he was also a very good fighter who met, among others, Jack Broughton and Jack Slack. He didn’t beat either of them but both readily acknowledged his power.
Manchester’s president is Tommy Proffitt, who won the ABA bantamweight title in 1948 and went on to compete in the London Olympics that year. He had a fair pro career, too, winning 34 and drawing one of 47 outings between 1948 and 1953. He got as far as a final eliminator for the British title, but was beaten by Peter Keenan – who went on to beat Danny O’sullivan for the title. Tommy also beat Jackie Fairclough in a final eliminator for the Central Area title – but never got a title shot.
Two more deaths to report, unfortunately – this time from London EBA. Sam Soraf was a former LEBA committee member – he stood down a while ago but regularly attended meetings at both London and Essex. Bill Nankeville was not a boxer but a fine middle distance athlete, who also took part in the 1948 Olympics (at 1500km). Bill too was a regular at LEBA meetings, and also got his son, comedian Bobby Davro, interested. Some years ago, I remember, Bobby Davro and the late Kenny Lynch put on a show in aid of
LEBA at the famous York Hall, Bethnal Green – it was a great evening. Sam and Bill were real LEBA stalwarts and they, too, will be sadly missed.
I keep stressing how important it is that EBAS show they care about the current scene, and do not simply dwell on the past. Essex are particularly good at this, and the latest Punch Lines – Essex’s monthly newsletter – has a detailed piece on the recent Joe Joycedaniel Dubois set-to, explaining why Dubois was right to retire with his eye so badly injured. There’s also a piece on recent controversial decisions, and a tribute to the late Danny Enifer.
And there’s a reproduction of an article (with photo) on Essex President Pat Thompson, noting that he and Stoke’s Keith Nugent were Britain’s busiest boxers in 1974, with 12 contests each. Originally from Liverpool, Pat boxed in London a lot – including topping the bill on the last-ever show at Shoreditch Town Hall, in January 1975, where he outscored Terry Armstrong over eight. Between 1972 and 1977 Pat had 72 bouts, winning 37 and drawing five – including a repeat win over Armstrong in March 1976, that earned Pat the vacant Central Area light-heavyweight title. In all Pat and Armstrong clashed six times, including Pat’s debut (which Armstrong won on points). The final score was 4-2 to Pat.
After retiring, Pat became a publican in London and took part in a number of charity runs, as well as keenly supporting the EBA movement.