FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT
Plenty of good work coming out of London EBA
THERE was a good house for London EBA’S July meeting, with the raffle raising £315.
We were delighted to welcome a group from Brighton EBA, also Essex EBA Chairman Tommy Burling and Secretary Ray Lee. Ray brought copies of his excellent British Boxing Journal 2022 - very generously, he donated one for the raffle, and half the proceeds of those he sold to Ringside Charitable Trust. Tommy’s and Ray’s fourth LEBA scrapbook, covering the years 20022011, is now out, and well up to the standard of the previous three – and Tommy is planning a book on “Fighting Publicans,” and would be delighted to hear from anyone who has any photos, or information.
President Stephen Powell couldn’t make the June meeting as he was in the throes of moving out of his pub - The Globe, in Hackney. For many years that was the regular venue for LEBA committee meetings, and several boxing functions were held there. Stephen came down from his new home in Colchester, and began his President’s Report by paying tribute to the late Carlos Ortiz, the former world lightweight champion.
Stephen recalled meeting Carlos at a convention in Bloomsbury in the mid90s, organised by Bernard Hart – a great LEBA benefactor. He described Carlos as a “true gentleman.” I can endorse that - I was at that convention, and was able to have a long talk with Carlos about his career. Fascinating. I also met former five-time world champion Emile Griffith, and former heavyweight Freddie Mack, a larger-than-life character who sat and talked for hours, breaking off to hail everyone who came by. Four great characters no longer with us – but who’ll never be forgotten.
Chairman Bob Cheeseman introduced several people, including Jason Walker (whose late father, flyweight Billy, was a loyal member who rarely missed a meeting) and Georgie Masters who, as an amateur heavyweight, met John L. Gardner and Leroy Timothy. Both turned pro - Gardner became British and European champion, Timothy (who changed his name to Ishaq Hussein) boxed for the Southern Area title, losing a close verdict to Denton Ruddock.
Bob also confirmed that the Boxing Champions Golf Day (formerly the Henry Cooper Golf Classic) would be taking place – this is always a good day, and an important fund-raiser for the Association (the proceeds subsidise LEBA’S Annual
Awards Lunch).
Like most (if not all) EBAS, LEBA is always ready to help members in need. In his Secretary’s Report, Secretary/ Treasurer Ray Caulfield said that in the last month alone we had given around £2,000 in donations but we never publicised the names, preferring to respect people’s dignity. People as a rule don’t like to ask for help, he said, and urged members who knew of anybody in need to let him, or another committee member, know. I remember the late Bob Paget, who did so much for people in need, had a motto: “Do someone a good turn, and don’t get found out!” Quite a contrast with a former promoter, who helped out a high-profile boxer, and when asked to do the same for another one, replied: “I wouldn’t get my name in the paper for him.”
Ray pointed out that it’s not always money that’s needed – often it’s company. People on their own really appreciate a visit, or phone-call. Or perhaps they need something specific, like clothes – LEBA willingly help with that, too.
As I’m constantly stressing, it’s vital that EBAS show they care about the current scene, not just the past – and Ray was full of praise for Joe Joyce after his win over Christian Hammer the previous night. He pointed out that there were currently six British heavyweights in the world’s Top 10 – a far cry from the days when we were derided for our “horizontal heavyweights!” – and compared Joyce with ex-world champion George Foreman. He speculated whether we would ever see Joyce v Anthony Joshua, and what a fight that would be.