THE RESURGENCE CONTINUES
Leeds continue to do the EBA movement proud
ON SUNDAY, May 14, Leeds EBA held their first social event of the year, and I was delighted to hear from Secretary Paul Abraham that it went very well.
“It was a huge success,” Paul said, “with a large attendance from young and old alike. Attendees included ex-champions Derek Roche, Allan Richardson and John Doherty, legendary coach Terry O’neill, ex-fighter, promoter and manager John Celebanski, former Star referee Dave Parris, and former amateur and professional Leeds boxers Michael Daniels, Gerry Daly and Franny Hogg.
“A successful raffle was held, while many who attended would need to do extra gym sessions owing to the magnificent buffet on offer. All in all, a knockout of a day,with most of the attendees looking forward to September, when Leeds EBA host the British Ex-boxers Hall of Fame event which is already a 800-capacity sell-out.”
That’s so good to hear. The pandemic effectively put a stop to gatherings of this sort – as I’ve said before, Covid is still around, and we can’t be complacent. But it’s wonderful that these socials have started up again – great for the members, and it gives them the chance to take along friends and family members, to show them what EBAS are about. And sometimes these non-boxing people are so taken with the event that they decide to join – you don’t have to have boxed to become an EBA member.
The same day saw London EBA hold their May meeting – postponed a week because of the coronation. Unfortunately, strikes in the previous two days meant public transport was not back to normal, and attendance was slightly down. But Chairman Bob Cheeseman said he was very pleased that so many did make it – there was a great atmosphere, as always, and the raffle raised £265.
Bob paid tribute to the late Steve Hiser, whose obituary appeared in BN last week. As a teenager. Bob joined Fisher ABC where Steve was coach. “He was a good man,” Bob said. “He taught discipline.”
Bob went on to recount how Steve twice beat Johnny Pritchett as an amateur, and author Mike Taub recalled attending the return – on Pritchett’s home turf. “Pritchett was a star in the Midlands,” Mike said, “and he’d improved since their first bout. Hiser’s people didn’t really want the return – what had they got to prove? But the match was made, and Steve won again.” Steve also trained other members of the Cheeseman
family, including Bob’s nephew, Ted, who as a pro twice won the British superwelterweight title.
Today Johnny Pritchett is a LEBA member, though he hasn’t been able to attend meetings for a while – as an amateur he won two ABA titles, and as a pro he became British and Commonwealth middleweight champion, winning a Lonsdale Belt outright. The current Seconds Out – LEBA’S monthly newsletter – has a 12-page supplement on Johnny’s life and career, written by Mike Taub. Thoroughly recommended.
Elsewhere in the newsletter, Taub reports on Michael Watson’s appearance at the recent Arsenal-leeds match, and the terrific reception he received. Thirty years previously Michael had had to be wheeled on to the old Highbury pitch – this time he walked on. A tribute to his terrific fighting spirit.
EBAS support today’s scene. The meeting was delighted to hear that unbeaten heavyweight Jeamie TKV (a recent visitor to LEBA) scored a good win in Poland last month, knocking out local Michal Boloz in two rounds. And LEBA sent congratulations to John Ryder for his tremendous effort against Saul Alvarez.
And EBAS are always willing to support good causes – including, of course, the Ringside Charitable Trust (RCT). Jason Beard, a pro welter in the ’90s, is organising a cricket match on June 25 – Boxers v Essex EBA – to raise money for RCT. This is a great idea, and I hope it’s a success – if Jason, or anyone connected with the project, can give me further details, I’ll happily publish them.