Boxing and boxers

Here is his record, Kaga

Midland Red, thank you, three Coventry boxers fought him - amazing.

In the mid 70s we drove down to the Albert Hall to watch Danny McAlinden on a Joe Bugner fight card. Also on that card was John H Stracey and I think John Conteh. I think it was that night he won the British title. My memories are a little hazy these days but I remember it was very entertaining night of boxing. McAlinden had this huge haymaker swing, it was like watching a drunk swinging at everything. Also on a very sad note I worked for a time at the Homefire plant at Keresley Colliery in the late 60s. One of labourers on our crew was Mick Leahy, a real nice man, but the punishment he had taken from boxing had left him in bad shape. He was an excellent fighter in his time, but he paid a huge price for his moment of fame.

My son is just about to step into the ring to 'ref' a fight between a Welshman and a Chinese, light middleweights - whoever he announces the winner will be in the top six of world class boxers.

I'm sorry to hear Micky Leahy (he won the British title) wasn't so good near the end, spent many a happy time with Micky (he was quite funny at times), as I did with Les Allen and Jimmy Lynas. The golden age for Coventry boxing was in the fifties when Coventry had three good middleweights, and I was privileged to be friends with all three.

Dave Owens. But they were nowhere near the league of three London boys in the late 80's beginning 90's, Benn, Watson and Eubank. Seems strange that the three boys, all worthy world champions, grew up at the same time, and had to meet each other. The best British boxing middleweights I ever saw, and they hit the headlines right at the time TV started to show fights. Later I met and watched hours of sparring and fights of the Eubank brothers and met that wonderful man Ronnie Davies (trainer/manager).

For those interested in boxing there was an informative film about Randy Turpin's life on Talking Pictures a week ago. I have looked to see when it is repeated as it is almost sure to be but can't find it in the schedules for the next two weeks. It is titled Sixty Four Days Hero, A Boxers Tale. It is also available on the BFI site free.

Thank you Argon, I'll keep an eye open for that, yeh I saw him a couple of times at the races, and at the opera house were we both watched the film of his triumph.

Kaga, It's a very revealing film about all his childhood and the time of his way up and downfall, interviews with his manager, second wife, and business partner 'warts and all'

Kaga, I have just found it on YouTube as well, only it's labelled 'Randolph Turpin documentary'

My mum used to tell us she grew up near the Turpin family and they were about the same age as her. She said she used to be afraid of them and was told to stay away from them.

Argon. Thanks for the info. Just watched YouTube, took me back some. To me, if he had been allowed to continue as before the title fight I think he would have been ok, but he could not stand the pressure put on him. Those men with money controlled everything - if you didn't do their bidding, you did not get the chance, but once things were not right they forgot you, you no longer meant money to them. There's a lot behind the scenes the public never hear about. They showed the fight at the Opera Cinema a few days later. Randy sat in front of me, alone. I spoke to him, we talked of boxing and Robinson. Until that time I think the Mayor of Leamington would have had a different opinion of him.

Kaga, Yes, it seemed to me from the reporter's research that a lot of the problems were caused by big money men in all departments, and there were some pretty dark hints about who they were.

Argon, If you're interested you could look at Terry Marsh boxing career.

Thanks Kaga.