SPONSORED WALK FOR JENNER
Hastings EBA are raising money for an ex-fighter in need
BOXING people will always turn out to help their own. Graham Jenner was a pro super-middleweight from Hastings. He boxed initially from 1985 to 1986, then came back after a five-year gap and fought on until 1994. In all he had 19 bouts, winning seven, and he tackled some good people, including future champions Ensley Bingham, Andy Till and Sam Storey. He twice beat former Southern Area titlist Paul Mccarthy.
Now Graham is battling prostate cancer, and has had to give up work – and Hastings EBA Chairman Dave Harris is organising a sponsored walk to raise money for him. This will take place on Sunday June 3. It starts at 11am at the Bo-peep in St. Leonard’s, and finishes at The Fisherman’s Club at the Hastings Old Town Fish Market, where there’ll be a buffet.
“It’s only about three-and-a-half miles,” Dave said, “but you’ve got to remember that most of our members are at least 60, and some are in their 70s and 80s.
“We’ve had a very good response. We’ve got sponsorship, and we’re out to raise as much as we can. Some people will be dressing up, for instance as Batman or Robin or the Joker – we want to make it a fun day.
”We’re working in conjunction with the local hospital, and we’re hoping some nurses will come on the walk. We’re not only doing this for Graham – we want to get the message across that prostate cancer affects so many men, and it’s vital to get tested for it.”
Dave has a personal involvement in this – he used to manage Graham. “He was one of the nicest boys I ever managed, and we’ve continued to have a very close relationship after he retired. He’s very well respected – and he’s a fighter.”
Anyone wishing to know more – perhaps make a donation, or take part in the walk – can contact Dave on 01424 539 921.
As many of you know, Dave has also been fighting cancer – and been nothing but positive all the way through. “I’ve got one more scan, and hopefully they’ll give me the all-clear,” he said.
I’m sure everyone will join me in wishing Dave and Graham well, and I hope the walk’s a tremendous success.
The plans for the Croydon EBA Summer Buffet have had to be changed, because of a clash of dates at the Masonic Hall.
Croydon will now hold a Sunday Roast Lunch there on October 28. I’ve heard that the Masonic Hall’s Sunday Roasts are
excellent, and judging by what they used to serve at Croydon’s Annual Dinner, I can believe it. Tickets will be £25 per head.
Croydon are hoping for a good response not only from their own members, but other EBAS too. For further details, contact Chairman Barry Penny on 0208 651 2742.
Most EBAS actively support today’s fighters, and there’s a nice story in the current Central (Midlands) EBA newsletter about a contingent of CMEBA members attending a boxing dinner show at the Burlington Hotel, Birmingham, where Birmingham City Boxing Club took on an Irish contingent from Dungarven and a Glen Boxing Club Select.
Among those present was CMEBA President Bunny Johnson – the former British heavy and light-heavyweight champ. The evening was brilliantly MC’D by Dr Antonio G. Farruggia Bochnak, and Birmingham won the match 8-4.
The newsletter also has news of North Staffs EBA, who recently held their AGM. All the current officers were voted in for a further year, and a new position was created – Official Timekeeper for meetings. This went to former Board of Control Timekeeper Harry Foxall, who officiated at the first Nigel Benn-chris Eubank WBO middleweight title bout at Birmingham’s NEC in November 1990. The newsletter reports: “Although [Harry] retired from Board duties some eight years ago he certainly has not lost the art of ringing a bell.”
North Staffs are hoping to visit other EBAS in the coming months. I hope they manage it – visits between Associations are so important. The piece ends by saying: “Should there be anybody with a passion for our great sport who wishes to join our friendly, welcoming Association, please feel free to contact Secretary Richard Vaughan on 07985 468 004 or by email at rich0906@yahoo.co.uk.”