THE CHAMP AND THE CHUMP
JAMES MCNICHOLAS is the grandson of ex-world middleweight champion, Terry Downes. James is a comedian, actor and writer.
He produced a one-man show comparing his life with his grandfather's. Terry was born with nothing, but went on to conquer the world. Jamie was born into privilege and, according to him, has achieved nothing. The stage play was very funny and he subsequently wrote a semi-autobiographical book along similar lines called The Champ & The Chump. It was short-listed for Sports Entertainment Book of the Year. And guess what? He won. Well worth a read, it assaults all emotions. It will make you laugh out loud and shed a tear. As James' grandma Barbara said, "You and Terry are very similar. Except you can't box and he couldn't write". Well done James. The ole man would be proud of you.
Dave Evans
DREAM A LITTLE DREAM
IMAGINE sitting down on a Saturday evening to the excitement of the classic
Big Fight Live music on ITV once again. Sitting there ready for the first of seven fight nights across 12-18 months as the British light-heavyweight version of the Super Series kicks off. Four quarter-finals, two semis, culminating in the final. Callum Smith, Joshua Buatsi, Anthony Yarde, Craig Richards, Lyndon Arthur, Callum Johnson, Dan Azeez and Hosea Burton all in an open draw. The last man standing would be as well known as any fighter in the country and inarguably the best at 175lbs. A golden era has to have great fights more than great fighters. These would be mouthwatering match ups. It seems such an obviously good and simple idea. But is it at all likely? About as likely as Reg Gutteridge commentating on the final.
Steve Hunt
BRING BACK JIM LAMPLEY!
I’VE been meaning to send some kudos your way, and it’s definitely due.
Canelo has no shortage of detractors especially after losing to Dmitry Bivol - and I think he should be given praise instead. No one was asking for him to take on Bivol, who isn’t exactly a household name; other than a belt at light-heavyweight, there wasn’t much in the way of upside. Canelo deserves a lot of credit for taking on a completely unnecessary and difficult challenge.
Now, on to the real Gold Star: The May 5 feature on Jim Lampley was both a welcome surprise and an excellent piece. I can think of a few broadcasts that could use his services right now, and I hope one day soon he’s calling fights again. In the meantime, a big thank-you regarding (as the late, great Harold Lederman would say) Jim!
Rich Archer