LIVELY DISCUSSION
Croydon debate the recent suggestion that amateur boxing should do away with head shots
CROYDON EBA doesn’t meet in December, so the November get-together was like the Christmas “do” – a free drink for everyone, and loads of bonhomie.
It was particularly nice to see Doreen Beaman, whose late husband, Roy, was a former CEBA committee member – and a real character. As a pro featherweight he campaigned between 1959 and 1962, winning 18 of 24 – all inside the distance! He boxed exclusively in London, and appeared at Wembley several times – including on the undercard of Dave Charnley’s points win over American Len Matthews in September 1961. Roy took on Mick Greaves, now President and Chairman of Leicester EBA – Mick won in two rounds.
Doreen brought along three female friends, all of whom thoroughly enjoyed it – and all signed up as members, and vowed they’d come again. That’s so good. I stress that you don’t have to have boxed to join an EBA – everyone’s welcome.
Chairman Barry Penny brought up a recent news item regarding a government suggestion that it should be made illegal for amateur boxers to be punched in the head. This provoked a very lively discussion, especially among the ex-boxers present. Former British light-heavyweight title challenger Trevor Cattouse said there had to be contact, otherwise it would simply be shadowboxing – and this could have the effect of driving the sport underground. Rob Benson, who came up from Horsham, said that people who have never boxed get dementia, and Dave Cowland said that, because of boxing, he had never smoked. Paul Taylor (there with his daughter, Shannen) said he had always loved boxing and it had kept him off the streets.
Dave Cowland said that few people understood the problems boxers faced when they retire, and Rob Benson said this was one reason why it was so important that the Ringside Rest and Care Home should get up and running. He felt that major promoters should add £5 to the cost of each ticket, as a donation to the Home – he thought fans wouldn’t object. It’s certainly an idea.
All in all, it was a very interesting discussion, with virtually everyone contributing. “We must have more of those,” Barry said afterwards – maybe other Associations could try it.
On the social side, Croydon’s recent fish-and-chip supper, courtesy of Barry’s late partner, Irene, was very enjoyable – good food, great atmosphere. Once this wretched pandemic is behind us, maybe
EBAS generally will start holding social events like this.
I was sorry to read in the latest Manchester EBA newsletter that Ron Richardson has had to resign from the committee because of ill-health. It is noted that Ron “has given many years of faithful service and is a big asset to MEBA.” Also on the MEBA Sick List are members Mick Jones and Andy Royle. I’m sure everyone will join me in wishing them all a full and speedy recovery.
As usual, there’s a fascinating piece by Boxing Scribe Lawrence Yearsley. This time, rather than focusing on an ex-boxer’s career, Lawrence goes into the history of the ring itself – how it gradually evolved into the shape it now is, and why boxers enter from opposite sides. Very interesting. It’s vital that EBAS show they follow today’s scene, and are not simply immersed in the past, and the newsletter wishes good luck to two local (Droylsden) fighters in forthcoming bouts.
In their round-up of 1963, the Scottish EBA newsletter records that John Mccormack, in his first bout since losing to George Aldridge for the vacant British middleweight belt, stepped up to light-heavy, met Liverpool’s Harry Scott at Wembley and was floored seven times prior to being halted in five rounds. Mccormack was described as being “in decline,” but went on to win four in a row (including a cut-eye stoppage of reigning British champion Chic Calderwood) before losing a British title eliminator to namesake Young Mccormack and calling it a day.
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