GENEROUS GESTURE
Ian Martin does his bit for his Association – and then some
CONGRATULATIONS to Croydon EBA member Ian Martin, who has agreed to sponsor CEBA’S monthly newsletter. At the monthly meeting, Chairman Barry Penny drew members’ attention to the imminent raise in postage costs, and asked if anyone knew of a company that might sponsor us. Ian spoke up, and undertook to sponsor the newsletter in the name of his building company, Regional Developments. A terrific gesture. Ian boxed professionally between 1983 and 1986, winning four and drawing one of nine outings. He retired after losing to future British champion (and world title challenger) Gary Stretch.
Every EBA is well aware of rising postage and other costs. One solution is for members with email to receive their newsletters that way. Some EBAS have announced they are raising the annual subscription – not something anyone wants to do, but sometimes there’s no choice. Barry Penny was bullish about the future. Other EBAS have folded – “We’re not going,” he said firmly. He called on members to come up with ideas to raise revenue – something members of other Associations could consider.
There were congratulations, too, for member Dave Cowland, who recently received a Southern Area Council award for services to boxing. Dave’s been involved in the game for many years – he regularly works as a house second at York Hall – and it’s good to see his efforts recognised.
Historian Harold Alderman MBE contacted Croydon with a request – he’s after information on a Croydon boxing family named Rhodes. Apparently there were at least two brothers – Bert and George– who boxed professionally in the 1930s, and George’s daughter is trying to get details of their careers. If any reader knows anything, do let me know.
The meeting agreed to make a donation to the Ringside Rest and Care Home. Barry recalled that the late Nosher Powell had campaigned for years to get the BBBOFC to take a percentage of each boxer’s purse and invest it, so they would have something when they retired. Dave Cowland said that unfortunately many boxers don’t help themselves – he recalled asking boxers for a £3 payment for insurance, only to be told they couldn’t afford it. Then the same boxer would happily spend 10 times that amount in the bar! Looking to the future can be hard when you’re young – the trouble is, so often the future’s here before you know it.
The date of Croydon’s Sunday Roast was confirmed as October 27. Barry said last year’s inaugural event was a good day, and the food was excellent. I’ll second that.
The Merseyside Former Boxers’
Association are also fully behind the Ringside Rest and Care Home, giving it just over a page in the March issue of Mug’s Alley, and expressing the hope that “this worthwhile project gets the backing and support it truly deserves.” The mag also records “another great loss to Merseyside boxing,” with the passing of Ernie Lawrence, aged 81. Ernie founded Lodge Lane ABC out of his own pocket, to help the youth of the local community. He was also trainer and coach with Wavertree, Roseheath, Halewood and Golden Gloves ABCS, and a respected amateur referee. The final paragraph reads: “Rest in peace Ernie, and our sincere thanks for all you did during your lifetime of dedication to boxing. You’ll always be in our thoughts.”
And there’s a tribute to Alan Lynch, who recently retired from his role with England Boxing. “Uncle Al” held the position of medical registrar for the Merseyside and Cheshire region for more than 30 years. He was described as having “gone that extra mile for people on so many occasions,” and “exactly the type of volunteer without which our sport couldn’t function.” A founder member of Salisbury ABC, Lynch received the ABAE Lifetime Achievement Award following 50 years of service to boxing.
There is also a fascinating article on two Liverpool brothers, Ron and Syd Greb, who campaigned professionally in the 1950s. Their real name was Evans, but they were inspired to turn pro after reading Give Him
to the Angels, the story of the great world middleweight champion, Harry Greb – and adopted his name. Another good read from Merseyside FBA.