Category: A Boxing Memory

A Boxing Memory: Battling Siki

A Boxing Memory: Battling Siki By Garry White There are probably two words that best sum up the life of Louis M’Barick Fall, known forever to the boxing world by his chosen ring name of Battling Siki (60-24-4, 31KOs). The first of these would have to be: fearless. An attribute adequately characterised by his travelling as … Continue reading A Boxing Memory: Battling Siki →

Billy Aird: “I had money and I put my money to work. So I’ve had a good life and I’ve got no complaints.”

Billy Aird: "I had money and I put my money to work. So I’ve had a good life and I’ve got no complaints.” By Melanie Lloyd Loveable Liverpudlian, Billy Aird, was born in Merseyside on 15th March 1946. Raised during the post-war years, Billy has only warm memories of his early family life. “I was a war baby, … Continue reading Billy Aird: “I had money and I put my money to work. So I’ve had a good life and I’ve got no complaints.” →

A Boxing Memory: Vassiliy Jirov

A Boxing Memory: Vassiliy Jirov By Cain Bradley Kazakhstan has turned itself into somewhat of a boxing superpower. It produces brilliant results in the amateur scene whilst Gennady Golovkin is the trailblazer for some great young talents. Before Golovkin emerged though, there was a different man who represented Kazakh boxing admirably. That was Vassiliy Jirov, … Continue reading A Boxing Memory: Vassiliy Jirov →

Hagler vs Leonard: An Illusion of Victory?

Hagler vs Leonard: An Illusion of Victory? In the bitter aftermath of the scoring controversy, we forget that there were genuine fears for the eyesight and indeed the health of Sugar Ray Leonard leading up to his fight with Marvelous Marvin Hagler in 1987. Some even labelled it a public execution and not a competitive … Continue reading Hagler vs Leonard: An Illusion of Victory? →

A Boxing Memory: Salvador Sanchez

A Boxing Memory: Salvador Sanchez A pub quiz back in the day posed the question of which Mexican world featherweight champion was tragically killed in a car crash. The answer the quiz master gave was Wilfred Benitez. There were many flaws with his answer. I pleaded my case with much ferocity trying to reclaim a … Continue reading A Boxing Memory: Salvador Sanchez →

A Boxing Memory: Sugar Ray Robinson

A Boxing Memory: Sugar Ray Robinson By Garry White ‘You never got me down, Ray.” Did he say it? Not a chance. On the wrong end of the white heat of Ray Robinson’s lightning rod punches, it is doubtful whether he was capable of saying anything at all. That Valentine’s Day in 1951 proved to … Continue reading A Boxing Memory: Sugar Ray Robinson →

A Boxing Memory: Mike Tyson vs Danny Williams

A Boxing Memory: Mike Tyson vs Danny Williams Danny Williams had a pre-fight dream that he would knock out Mike Tyson. In truth, that looked all it could ever be. A dream, a fantasy not born on any semblance of reality. Three fights before Matt Skelton had outpointed Williams. The two fights after offered little … Continue reading A Boxing Memory: Mike Tyson vs Danny Williams →

Ryan Rhodes: “It was my goal to become British champion and anything after that was a bonus.”

Ryan Rhodes: “It was my goal to become British champion and anything after that was a bonus.” By Matt Elliott In the mid to late nineties, the Ingle gym in Sheffield was flying. Senior pros such as Fidel Castro Smith, aka Slugger O’Toole and Herol ‘Bomber’ Graham were coming towards the end of their careers, … Continue reading Ryan Rhodes: “It was my goal to become British champion and anything after that was a bonus.” →

Prince Naseem Hamed: The Final Dance

Prince Naseem Hamed: The Final Dance Prince Naseem Hamed brought drama, excitement and noise, and plenty of it when he was showboating his way to the pinnacle of his sport. But his career ended with little fanfare, retirement seemingly unannounced, and unnoticed. In many ways, Hamed had outstayed his welcome. And you suspect he knew … Continue reading Prince Naseem Hamed: The Final Dance →