RE: Paul Baay10 Aug 2023 13:25
Harry Holland was older (and smaller) time I think? I used to "know" Frank B - for example - he was blind as a bat and actually had to have surgery to get his first professional licence - which I did find "confusing" as we were always sight tested at area championship level "back then" anyway, IMHO and just pub talk I hasten to add? Actually I was training in the Thomas A Becket (as a teenager so not that old!) when Bone Crusher Smith was training for Bruno. I was a big fan of Bruno and I can remember my trainer telling me he was in for a kicking from Smith and "bobs your uncle" I think he "surprised" everybody? I remember there was this rock hard little African man in the gym then, who was having his FIRST pro fight and knocked out the current or future British champion Gilbody on the same card I think?
I only mention because I think Terry Downes (a real character) visited the gym that day as well - and was a great mate of one of my trainers and I subsequently met him loads of times, as was Emile Griffiths actually.
Re miserable - when you've worked in DRC - as one example - and see the misery, anarchy and crap in some places like that - it just makes me so thankful I was born in UK at this time - but I'm still miserable though!
PS I thought the Gaay name was an (in haste) typo but do realise now it was just a joke - so official apologies for my other assumptions!
Right no more OT's - but I suppose it's symptomatic waiting for "the" "news"!
Best of luck all.