“Tink one of the best amateur boxers I’ve ever seen”: Johnny Lewis
WHEN boxing trainer Johnny Lewis speaks, everybody listens.
And when he rates our local boy, 1976 Olympian Brian Tink, as being in the “top three or four I have seen”, then we all sit up.
The sprightly 74-year-old Australian sporting legend will be in Dubbo on Saturday night as a special guest for the Kara Toomey Ultimate Fight Tribute Night.
“I’ve been to Dubbo many times over the years for tournaments and to do some coaching at the Police Youth Club,” Johnny told me.
“I am honoured to come back out west to assist in the fundraising efforts for a wonderful family. Kara and Gummy Toomey work as a team and with their own two kids to help others improve their lives. It is a tribute to their generosity and care that many others have better opportunities in life, and I want to show my support for them as they now face serious life challenges,” he said with conviction.
“Gummy Toomey is like a lot of country boxers. He has over-achieved given the fact he’s had to often train on his own and without wellmatched sparring partners. He’s had to travel all over the place to get fights and he has done exceptionally well. But what I most admire is he’s chosen to stay out in Dubbo with his people and work towards helping others achieve their goals.
“Kara is an exceptionally giving person. I think now it is her time to have us show our love and gratitude. She has a serious illness and the treatment she needs and the disruption to her family life is substantial, so we need to help out as best we can financially,” the humble man of sporting honours shared.
The dinner to be held this Saturday night (May 26) is at the RSL Club. Tickets are available from the club – but you will need to get in fast as there is a strict limit.
Johnny Lewis is hoping to catch up with “Tinky”, Graham Williams, and “my old mate” Bomber Carney over the weekend.
“When Martin Cook from the Men of League Foundation called me, I had no hesitation in accepting to come out (to Dubbo for the night). Bomber Carney used to live at my mum’s house when he came to the city to fight and I have a great love for him and his family, as I have for Graham, Tinky, Gummy and all the others.”
Before he hung up, Johnny quipped, “I heard Bomber’s boy has opened a fishing shop and he loves football as well. Good combination – a fishing tackle business!” •••
Top of his game:
Brian Tink, pictured right, has been named as one of Australia’s best amateur boxers by the legendary Johnny Lewis. PHOTO: DUBBO PHOTO NEWS.