COLLINS A JOY
Steve star of the show at Home Counties end of year celebration
I MENTIONED previously that the Home Counties EBA’S Christmas party was a big success, and there’s a report in their latest newsletter that I’d like to quote in part:
“What a day. Great turn-out and a good time had by all. Over £1,000 raised to go towards great causes in the coming year. Thank you to everyone who gave raffle prizes and helped out with our auction.
“[DJ] the Pink Panther was brilliant as always, and we wish him well after a spell in hospital over Christmas.
“Mick Mancini, once again, kept us all entertained with some great tunes, and our new caterers supplied a fantastic spread for us all to enjoy. Special guest Steve Collins was brilliant, offering pictures with everyone, and we hope to see him at a meeting in the near future.”
All good to hear, though I’m sorry to hear about the Pink Panther – and I know readers will join me in wishing him a full and speedy recovery. I was especially pleased about the money raised for good causes. EBAS, and boxing people generally, are very good at looking after their own – but equally they’re ready to give time and money to help anyone in need. Very well done.
The point about raffle prizes is important, too. The monthly raffle is a vital source of income for every EBA, and if prizes have to be bought specially it obviously has an impact.
The newsletter ends by saying, “New year, new members are always welcome and some new faces will be great to see.” Every EBA needs new blood – and, as I keep stressing, you don’t have to have boxed, or even have a connection to the sport. If there’s an EBA near you, go along to a meeting – you’ll be made most welcome.
Home Counties’ next meeting is this Sunday ( January 23) at the Bricket Wood Social Club, Oak Avenue, Bricket Wood, St Albans.
The Scottish EBA’S Christmas party also went well, judging by the photo in the current newsletter.
There’s a detailed look at 1965, with a feature on that great flyweight, Walter Mcgowan. In April that year, he was in Rome, and well outpointed Ghanaian Benny Lee over 10 rounds. I recall watching that live on BBC TV – sadly they didn’t show the main event, which saw Italy’s Salvatore Burruni outscore Thailander Pone Kingpetch for the world 8st title. What a treat that would have been for British fans. Incidentally, the whole bill was packed with talent – future world champions Curtis Cokes and Bruno
Arcari both scored wins, as did novice heavyweight Giuseppe [Bepi] Ros, whom I saw challenge Britain’s Joe Bugner for the European title in October 1973, losing on points. Fourteen months later Mcgowan well outpointed Burruni at Wembley to win the world title (WBC version), and in August he stepped up to bantam to relieve Alan Rudkin of the British and Commonwealth belts.
Featherweight John O’brien won four out of six, the first loss coming against world-ranked Nigerian Rafiu King – on a cut, with O’brien apparently well ahead. Tragically, in September, O’brien knocked out Mexican Jesus Saucedo in four rounds, and Saucedo was taken to hospital and subsequently died. Bravely O’brien boxed on, and won the Commonwealth 9st title on a 13th-round retirement against Ghana’s former world title contender,
Floyd Robertson – he lost it to Australia’s Johnny Famechon, who went on to become WBC champion.
Sadly O’brien was killed in a road crash in 1979, aged just 42.
The newsletter also reports that former ABA featherweight champion Ken Buchanan made his pro debut in September, halting Brian Tonks in two rounds at the National Sporting Club (where he would appear many times – eight of his first nine bouts took place there). Buchanan of course would win British, European and world honours at lightweight. SEBA’S next meeting will be on Sunday, February 13 at Hutchesontown Bowling Club, 9 Oatlands Gate, Glasgow – “Members and visitors welcome.”