A BIG ‘THANK YOU’ TO GLENN
IN March this year, my son Iolo was admitted to hospital having been acutely ill. He was passing blood and being sick, and he very quickly deteriorated. He was given heavy-duty steroids along with numerous drips and transfusions which failed to help the situation. Doctors were convinced he had acute severe ulcerative colitis, which would require anti-tnf medication to remedy it. Sadly, after some time we were told it was failing. Surgeons were gathered and the decision to remove his bowel was made as an emergency in order to save him. The decision to remove his bowel was not one we chose but one needed to keep him alive. Everyone involved with his care has been outstanding. His recovery will be a long road, but he is doing well and is so brave.
Post-operation at the Children’s Hospital for Wales, we met a team of hypnotherapist councillors, who suggested that my son meet with one of their therapists. Prior to his illness, my son was an amateur boxer at Dowlais ABC, training three times a week. His trainer, Sean Jones, has been amazing with him and really brought him on as a young man. So when we were told that the therapist was also a former boxer, we were very happy for Iolo to meet him.
I’d like to say a big ‘thank you’ to the therapist/former boxer in question – Glenn Catley – for the effort he made in visiting my son. On the day of the visit, he travelled from an appointment in Leicester back to his home in Bristol to collect his WBC super-middleweight and British middleweight belts. Then he drove to Merthyr Tydfil to meet my son and everyone at the boxing gym in Dowlais. Glenn spent time with my son, the trainers and the other boxers, who all really enjoyed the visit. Glenn was really accommodating, having photos taken with his belts. So again, to everyone who has helped my son along the way, I’d like to say ‘thanks’. And to Glenn, I’d like to say ‘thanks’ again for giving my son a massive boost! Alex Edwards
HALL OF FAME CREDENTIALS
THE article in the June 21 issue about the International Boxing Hall of Fame induction ceremony was great. I have no complaints with this year’s entrants into the Hall of Fame. I am a member of an online boxing forum and I was ridiculed for suggesting that Johnny Nelson and Duke Mckenzie should be inducted into the Hall. Nelson defended his WBO cruiserweight title 13 times, while Mckenzie claimed world belts at three different weights. Respected boxing writer Colin Hart, who has been inducted into the IBHOF himself, agrees with me. I don’t know what the criteria is exactly, but surely these two fine fighters are comparable to at least some of the current entrants. Perhaps in this instance, ignorance is bliss. Mervyn Gee
BRAVE ‘SMIGGA’ I ENJOYED reading the Guest Column from Paul “Smigga” Smith in the June 21 issue. It reminded me of what a brave boxer he was, taking on some of the most feared men around, and in their backyard as well. He gave two gutsy and classy performances against Arthur Abraham in Germany, for which he deserves great respect. The sheer guts and strength of character he showed was very inspiring. I was reminded again of the bravery of boxers while recently watching Anthony Yarde give a fearful beating to the very brave but outgunned Dariusz Sek, who never gave up, despite being dominated. He deserves a round of applause for this. Sparrow Harrison MBE