‘SHARP AS A RAZOR’
Ron Gray turns 80 years old this year
THE latest Central Midlands EBA newsletter provides yet more evidence of their support for today’s scene.
There’s a piece on Wolverhampton Boxing Club, emphasising that the CMEBA is proud to be associated with it, and noting that it “has gone through a massive resurgence over recent years” – largely due to the efforts of former pro Richie Carter. I quote: “Without doubt Richie and his team have completely transformed the place!” One of those team members is trainer Mick Thornton, and over the Christmas period Mick was presented with a trophy in recognition of his voluntary services to the club. “Clubs like ours would not exist without such freely given time and dedication,” says chairman Gary Bate.
There’s also an in-depth article by Craig Birch, on the upcoming Kell Brook vs Amir Khan battle, going into both careers in detail as well as the past history between the two. They’re due to clash at the Manchester Arena on February 19, and this piece really sets the scene.
And I was delighted to read that my old friend Ron Gray will be 80 this year and is “still sharp as a razor!” Ron’s remembered as a pro heavyweight between 1958 and 1967, and also a promoter – and for a time he was also matchmaker for the late Mike Barrett, and was a great help in giving me information when I was writing programme notes.
London EBA recently lost a longtime stalwart, former heavyweight Joe Crickmar – a month before his 92nd birthday. The current Seconds Out, LEBA’S monthly newsletter, reproduces an interview LEBA member (and author) Melanie Lloyd did with Joe in 2014, and it’s fascinating reading. Joe boxed some good people but was plagued by eye injuries, and these eventually convinced him to retire with a record of eight wins (five inside-schedule) against 11 losses. He beat future Commonwealth champion Joe Bygraves twice in their three meetings, and also met future British champions Joe Erskine and Henry Cooper.
In his “Round and About” section, Chairman Bob Cheeseman gives the good news that member Phil Watford is “near to fighting fit once more” after his bout with Covid. Phil has been a regular at LEBA meetings for some time, and I look forward to seeing him again soon. He beat Bob Nicolson for the Southern Area light-heavyweight title in November 1968, but lost it to Dickie Owens in his first defence, being stopped in four rounds on Dickie’s “home turf,” Reading Town Hall –
possibly the most thrilling small-hall fight I’ve ever seen. That was one of only four losses Phil suffered, against 16 wins and a draw.
Elsewhere Bob reproduces the cover of an old Southern Ex-boxer, Croydon EBA’S old magazine. There was always plenty to read – it was edited by the late Gilbert Allnutt, one of the prime movers behind CEBA. Pictured is Battersea centurion Ray Fallone, who now lives on the Isle of Wight but likes to visit both London and Croydon EBAS when he comes to the mainland.
London too supports today’s scene, with their “Young Guns” – and there’s a photo of one of them, Sacha Hickey, who recently became National Youth Champion at 64kgs and was voted “Best Boxer of the Tournament.”
Mike Taub pays tribute to LEBA regulars (and former champions) James
Cook MBE and Sylvester Mittee.
Cook, former British and European super-middleweight champion, was recently drafted in to help Anthony Yarde prepare for his return with former conqueror Lyndon Arthur – and Yarde of course got spectacular revenge, with a fourth-round knockout. “I told him simply to go out, stay close and let his punches go,” Cook said. “He carried out my instructions to the letter.”
Mittee was ABA lightweight champion in 1976 and had a successful pro career, winning British and Commonwealth welterweight belts. He lost them to future world champion Lloyd Honeyghan, and eventually retired with a record of 28 wins (23 inside) and five losses.