BOXERS WEIGH IN AT AGES 84 & 75
Olympic veteran John back in ring
A BOXER who fought at the 1968 Olympic Games is preparing to step back into the ring at the age of 75 to take on an 84-year-old opponent.
John McGonigle represented Britain in Mexico in the men’s flyweight division.
But more than 30 years after John’s last bout he is set to pull on his gloves for an exhibition match against Mick Auberbach, nearly 10 years his senior.
A grandad of six and great grandad of two, John started boxing at nine years old and had more than 100 amateur bouts.
He said: “I don’t know if I’ve bitten off more than I can chew. He’s a couple of stones heavier than me. I’m going to have to move around.”
John added: “Boxing has been good to me. It has kept me young. I have a scrapbook full of memories.”
Meanwhile, opponent Mick only had his first fight five years ago.
He said: “I had been going to the gym for years and I wasn’t really interested in boxing until my son Mark started. I went to the gym with him and decided to give it a go.
“I’ve had five fights now and it’s a thrill to get in there in front of people and raise money for charity.”
Promoter Neil Tidman, who will stage the fight in Bulkington, Warks, on April 11, said: “John is an amateur referee and still very active.
“He goes running and hits the bags at my gym.
“He offered to referee the fights on my show, but Mick was bothering me to get on the show and I thought: ‘They could box each other in an exhibition.’
“They both went for it. They are both in unbelievable condition for their age.
“Mick, he would fight every week if he could. He’s asked to go on another show the week after mine.”
Neil added: “Every time someone new comes to the gym Mick makes friends with them and then starts sparring with them.”