Dave Charnley - a year on.

[dalcumly]

I'm just remembering Dave who died a year ago this month.

I was speaking to ex-pro, top class amateur and Chairman of the Leicester ex-boxers, Mick Greaves this week at the Tony Sibson book signing, and he said that in his opinion Charnley was the BEST British boxer at any weight since the second world war! That's his opinion granted, but he's in a very good position to make that comment.

He said that Dave had a split personality. Outside the ring he was the nicest, quietest and most polite person, but inside the ring something came over him. Mick remembers when he was based in London under Sam Burns, Charnley was preparing for his second tilt at the world title when he was asked to go over to the Thomas a'Beckett for a sparring session. Dave's manager offerred Mick £5 a round ,but told him he's get £15 even if he only sparred 1 round. Mick got warmed up, got the gloves on and stepped into the centre of the ring. He reached out with both hands to 'touch gloves' and Dave caught him flush on the side of the jaw with a left hook which burst the inside of his mouth eventually requiring stitches to close the injury. Charnley carried on with the sparring session as if nothing had happened. After it was all over Dave approached Mick and with great sincerity asked him why he'd stuck his gloves out !!!!!

[misterpunch]

nice story charnley was a good 'un and carried a hell of a whack. how we miss him. we'll chat about the man at next weekends london ex-boxers meeting i'm sure.

[Old bones Ian]

Do you think Charnley is overlooked when it comes to rating boxers of old?

[misterpunch]

no doubt in my mind. but on occasions when theres a discussion on really decent brits DC always gets at least a mention

[Old bones Ian]

I have to admit i didn't know too much about Charnley until he had passed away, once i had read up on him and saw a few of his fights , then i realised what a fighter he was.

[dalcumly]

If you go to youtube and type in Dave Charnley the final interview ,you might find it interesting.

[johnnykayo]

not one ex boxer attended daves funeral at the time,which i thought was very sad :(

[misterpunch]

is that right? bloody hell!

[dalcumly]

I was at the funeral and about a third of those in attendance were from the London ex-boxers. I'm assuming some/most had been fighters at one stage. His managers son , Arthur Boggis was there, and I'm not certain but Mark Rowe might also have been there.

[johnnykayo]

yea i seen em from leba but didnt see any ex fighters though,i cant recall seeing mark rowe but could of been their. i cant believe barry mcguigan never turned went cos he only lived a few miles from dave charnley,it was sad i thought .

[jj5000]

Carlos Ortiz told me that Charnley was a fabulous fighter.I would take Charnley over Buchanan in a British dream match!

[misterpunch]

now thats a match up

[bennie]

Charnley licked another legendary Scot, the one and only Dick McTaggart, in the 1954 ABA featherweight final.

[misterpunch]

DC - gets a tight win over kenny in my opinion