SORELY MISSED
ON behalf of all the family, we’d like to thank everybody who has sent messages of sympathy and condolence following the death of our dad, grandad and brother, Jim Evans. We’re sure he would’ve been humbled by the amount of people who have expressed their sorrow at this time. Two Justgiving pages have been set up in memory of Jim, should anybody wish to donate. One of the pages is for Prostate Cancer UK (https://www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/jimevans-boxingicon) and the other is for the Ringside Charitable Trust (https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ jimevans-boxingiconringside). Many thanks from all of Jim’s family. Lara, Graham and Jay
FOND MEMORY
I WAS saddened to read about the recent death of tough scrapper Danny Mcalinden. I only met Danny once, but he left a great impression on me. I was in London with boxing judge Harold Lederman, who was in town for an event. One morning we went to the Lonsdale shop to meet Dennie Mancini and buy some merchandise. Later on we headed to Oxford Street to buy Harold’s wife a gift. While in a posh department store, I noticed a physically impressive older man eyeing our Lonsdale shopping bags. As we were leaving the store, this man approached us and asked if we recognised him. I couldn’t quite put a name to him, but it was Danny Mcalinden.
We stood and talked for a long time with Danny about his career and his sparring trips with George Foreman, among other things. Danny kept Harold and myself enthralled with his exciting stories. What a nice man he was and what a story he could spin. I often think back fondly on that encounter with Danny. Rest in peace, champ. Mike Hills
MEADE AND GRANDHAM
I REALLY enjoyed reading Tom O’toole’s letter in the February 25 issue regarding Welshman Neville Meade’s two fights with American Bruce Grandham. I found myself grinning from ear to ear after reading the letter, as I was also at The Stadium in Liverpool for both of those fights in the late 1970s – the rematch was dramatic!
Meade made a fast start in the first round, out-jabbing Grandham. In the second, Meade landed his trademark right hand and Grandham went down heavily. I don’t know how Grandham’s rubbery legs got him to the end of the round, but then his body punches finished an exhausted Meade in the third. Meade, though, was so close to stopping Grandham that night. Meade made his mark in boxing but could’ve achieved so much more. Grandham’s association with The Stadium and its fans is another interesting story! John Eaton