A STERLING CAREER
The current Brighton EBA Newsletter looks back on Bunny’s time in the ring BOURNEMOUTH EBA held their AGM this month, and as a result there are some changes to the Committee. It had been agreed that Chairman Dave Toohig would stand down and Vice-chairman John Dickinson would take over. However, John explained that, because of health issues, and his responsibilities with the Bournemouth ABA, he was not able to take on this additional duty – and he was also standing down as Vicechairman.
A paper ballot was held, and Dave Toohig was re-elected Chairman, with Ken Honniball being elected Vicechairman. Peter Judge said that after 10 years as Treasurer he felt it was time for someone else to assume the role. Stan White said he was willing to take this on, and members unanimously agreed. A vote of thanks was given to Peter for all his work over the last 10 years.
Secretary Glenda Toohig was asked to stay in the role, and agreed. This is good news – Glenda does a great job – but how important that, when people stood down, there were others ready and willing to take their places. As I’ve said before, Associations need people willing to take on the administrative side if they’re to survive – and individuals can’t go on for ever. Clearly Bournemouth has the structure it needs.
Most EBAS have to deal with the situation where some members cannot regularly attend meetings and other functions – and one solution is to set up a ‘two-tier’ membership. At their AGM, Bournemouth agreed to do this – the membership subs would stay at £25, but in extenuating circumstances there could be an associate membership of £10. This associate membership would not include a Christmas dinner. This sounds a good idea to me, and I hope it works – as I say, most EBAS have members who can’t attend meetings, either through health issues or because they’ve moved away, but they still want to keep in touch.
I’ve said this before, too – it’s vital that EBAS show they’re involved with presentday boxing. One way Bournemouth (among others) do this is by instigating awards for local fighters. Bournemouth award a trophy each year to the best senior amateur and best junior amateur.
Recently they decided to combine the trophy presentation with their Annual Reunion – and President David Fry said that this year that would happen on Saturday July 28 at Chapel Gate, East Parley. Admission will be free, and members of other EBAS will be welcome
– this is always a good afternoon.
I was pleased to hear that Home Counties EBA’S May meeting was well attended. Membership Secretary Terry Clarke said the raffle raised over £100, which enabled HCEBA to make donations of £300 to various good causes.
HCEBA’S annual barbecue takes place on July 22 at their headquarters – Bricket Wood Sports & Social Club, Oak Avenue, Bricket Wood. This is another good day. “Like all EBAS,” Terry said, “we are always looking for new members – and with that in mind, if any ex-boxers or fans of our sport wish to join us they will be made most welcome.” Home Counties’ next ‘regular’ meeting will be at noon on Sunday June 17 at Bricket Wood.
The current Brighton EBA Newsletter includes an interesting article by Terry Francis on former European, Commonwealth and British middleweight champion Bunny Sterling. There’s a photo of Bunny with former world champions Muhammad Ali and John Conteh – Bunny never boxed for a world title, but he was certainly world class, and beat a former world champion (Luis Rodriguez) and a future one (Maurice Hope).
A slick boxer, Bunny became the first immigrant to win a British title, halting reigning champion Mark Rowe in four rounds on cuts at Wembley in September 1970. Some felt the stoppage was premature, so they met again at the Albert Hall in April 1973 – and Sterling put on a polished display to win over 15 rounds. It was Rowe’s last fight.
In between, Sterling scored stoppages of Don Mcmillan and dangerous puncher Phil Matthews in Lonsdale Belt defences, and successfully defended his Commonwealth crown (which he had also won from Rowe) in Australia and Canada. He would go on to win the European title by stopping German Frank Reiche in 13 rounds – in Germany.
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