Leeds Town Hall

mickey1975 · Post by **mickey1975** » 01 Jun 2013, 03:51

I was there last night for an amateur show and haven't been for a few years, this must be the best small hall in Britain. Proper outstanding venue, I know Steve Wood used it recently but hopefully it can start getting used regularly, when full generates an electric atmosphere, streets ahead of all the leisure centres etc. Geat turn out from ex Yorks fighters too who joined in the ring for a presentation to the Mother and Daughter of the late Leeds pro Tony Silkstone. Amongst others were Henry Wharton, Denzil Browne, Danny Thornton, Garry Atkins, Terry O'Neil and a very large looking Carl Johannesson. Crawford Ashley refused to get in the ring and stormed off to the bar when announced for some reason and I spotted Derek Roache ringside but think he had gone when the presentation took place.

arlovski · Post by **arlovski** » 01 Jun 2013, 03:55

Yeah it's a great venue.

Been used for a lot of muay Thai shows in recent years, and it's always packed with a great atmosphere.

Top location too for grabbing food/drinks before or after the fights.

Which club put the show on mate, any decent talent on display? (boxers not ring girls)

mickey1975 · Post by **mickey1975** » 01 Jun 2013, 04:02

Sharkeys. There was a lot of novices on, first or second bouters. There was an open class bout at the end which was ok but nobody stood out that much for me. I've been to that many now it takes someone red hot to make me take note! Only see a couple a season. Must be getting old!

Bleak · Post by **Bleak** » 01 Jun 2013, 04:04

Rick Manners still around in the sport?

Bard of Boxrec · Post by **Bard of Boxrec** » 01 Jun 2013, 04:07

O/T slightly, but I'm trying to think of any biggish fights that have been in Leeds and am drawing a blank. Any examples?

Parson Cross · Post by **Parson Cross** » 01 Jun 2013, 04:14

Cal Johanneson and Ricky Burns was a stormer.
Who'd have thought after that fight that it would be Ricky where he is now ?
Great venue especially if you're sat high up at the Organ end where the fighters come out.
Also has sad memories for me however.
The Town Hall was the last venue I was at with my good mate Lee Gostolo one of the best whips around at the time who was sadly taken from us far too young.
RIP my friend.

mickey1975 · Post by **mickey1975** » 01 Jun 2013, 04:16

Bleak wrote:Rick Manners still around in the sport?

He got done over his dealings with Carl J. Runs the Amateur Boxing Union Ltd which advertises in Boxing Monthly I think. Colin Manners was in the ring though!

Parson Cross · Post by **Parson Cross** » 01 Jun 2013, 04:18

Didn't Tom Collins have his World title fight at the Town Hall back in 91 ?

mickey1975 · Post by **mickey1975** » 01 Jun 2013, 04:21

Barber-Collins was probably the last World title. Wharton-Castro Smith/Graham-Grant double header at Elland Road live on BBC1 was the last really big one in 92. New arena has just been built though and with Adil Anwar, Damo Jones and a superb crop of young amateurs coming through I think it could be headed for a great period.

Parson Cross · Post by **Parson Cross** » 01 Jun 2013, 04:25

Henry had a few of his early fights at the Town Hall.
I know he fought Rod Carr there at least twice and looking through my progs I went to the Commonwealth title fight against Carr which Im sure was a rematch.

mickey1975 · Post by **mickey1975** » 01 Jun 2013, 04:32

[quote="Parson Cross"]Henry had a few of his early fights at the Town Hall.
I know he fought Rod Carr there at least twice and looking through my progs I went to the Commonwealth title fight against Carr which Im sure was a rematch.[/quote

Parson Cross · Post by **Parson Cross** » 01 Jun 2013, 04:34

OK just had a dig in the ribs.
Guess who fought there in December 1965 ?
The legend that is (Sir) Brendan Ingle.
I salute you Brendan ! - but you did lose !!!

mickey1975 · Post by **mickey1975** » 01 Jun 2013, 04:36

[quote="Parson Cross"]Henry had a few of his early fights at the Town Hall.
I know he fought Rod Carr there at least twice and looking through my progs I went to the Commonwealth title fight against Carr which Im sure was a rematch.[/quote
Yes, twice. First one was a definite FOY, second not bad either until the end! The place was bouncing for Henry back in the day. Even The Barbican in York, which is a similar size, was always sold out and in his hometown couldn't generate the same atmosphere which just shows how big a part the venue itself plays.

pyenest77 · Post by **pyenest77** » 01 Jun 2013, 05:26

I went to the Tom Collins v Leeonzer Barber fight & probably at least one Henry Wharton fight which I cant remember. I do know that it was around the time when a fight with Chris Eubank was being muted as he turned up just behind us like the pantomime villain with his jodphurs & gold tipped cain.

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » 01 Jun 2013, 05:26

Hopfeully Josh Warrington has a few fights there and builds up some support.

Jakemilo · Post by **Jakemilo** » 01 Jun 2013, 05:30

Naandrew wrote:Hopfeully Josh Warrington has a few fights there and builds up some support.

Think he's back there in September it was a great atmosphere for his first defence

maley1984 · Post by **maley1984** » 01 Jun 2013, 05:40

Jakemilo wrote:
Naandrew wrote:Hopfeully Josh Warrington has a few fights there and builds up some support.
Think he's back there in September it was a great atmosphere for his first defence

yeah 13th september defending his english title.

mickey1975 · Post by **mickey1975** » 01 Jun 2013, 05:46

pyenest77 wrote:I went to the Tom Collins v Leeonzer Barber fight & probably at least one Henry Wharton fight which I cant remember. I do know that it was around the time when a fight with Chris Eubank was being muted as he turned up just behind us like the pantomime villain with his jodphurs & gold tipped cain.

Sipho Moyho, he was useless! Just checked spelling on here and it says the fight took place in Stoke on Trent!

Wake up call · Post by **Wake up call** » 01 Jun 2013, 12:56

Brilliant venue. Great atmos and probably the most stunning decor of anywhere that hosts boxing.

The_Don1 · Post by **The_Don1** » 01 Jun 2013, 16:34

The town hall is a great venue, it was buzzing for the Warrington fight, will be back there in Sept, I saw Wharton a couple of times there - those were the day he had it rocking, also saw him at York Barbican with a young Calzaghe on the undercard!

The only problem with Leeds is, aside from Johannesson it hasn't had any real title holders, hopefully Warrington will move things on and maybe the new Arena will invite some big fights, but with it being a theatre style arena I'm not sure it's suited to boxing as there'll be no crowd to one side of the boxers.

mickey1975 · Post by **mickey1975** » 01 Jun 2013, 16:51

Crawford Ashley and Tom Collins, get the point though. I think Anwar will fill the Town Hall if he wins next month. Jones could be good, too.

Wake up call · Post by **Wake up call** » 02 Jun 2013, 10:58

Five years from now I can see boxing in Leeds being on a real high, mainly because of the good amateurs that are coming though.

Jack Bateson and Qais Ashfaq are now established Team GB boxers while Jack Daniel and Oliver Simpson are coming along nicely.

Adil Anwar could soon be British champion, while one would expect Josh Warrington to get a shot within the next 12 months.

Then there's some really good prospects in former ABA champion Damo Jones and Justin Newell - who is flying a million miles under the radar but looks a tidy boxer with fast hands.

People also forget about the boxers from nearby towns that can add to the Leeds scene such as Gary Sykes and Tony Aicheson. Danny Price, while from Scarborough, is now Leeds-based as is Bob Ajisafe.

Ashley Vanzie, younger brother of Bobby and an ABA finalist this year, is considering going pro and even though he's from Bradford originally, he's lived in Leeds for years.

pyenest77 · Post by **pyenest77** » 02 Jun 2013, 11:00

It would be great. I live between Leeds & Manchester & being honest for all my boxing requirements I drive west. But I would love to see a thriving Leeds scene.

mickey1975 · Post by **mickey1975** » 02 Jun 2013, 14:59

Wake up call wrote:Five years from now I can see boxing in Leeds being on a real high, mainly because of the good amateurs that are coming though.

Jack Bateson and Qais Ashfaq are now established Team GB boxers while Jack Daniel and Oliver Simpson are coming along nicely.

Adil Anwar could soon be British champion, while one would expect Josh Warrington to get a shot within the next 12 months.

Then there's some really good prospects in former ABA champion Damo Jones and Justin Newell - who is flying a million miles under the radar but looks a tidy boxer with fast hands.

People also forget about the boxers from nearby towns that can add to the Leeds scene such as Gary Sykes and Tony Aicheson. Danny Price, while from Scarborough, is now Leeds-based as is Bob Ajisafe.

Ashley Vanzie, younger brother of Bobby and an ABA finalist this year, is considering going pro and even though he's from Bradford originally, he's lived in Leeds for years.

Loads of young guys coming out of the juniors too. Like the look of Dexter Thomas and MC Lowther.

jadesilky92 · Post by **jadesilky92** » 04 Oct 2014, 03:40

It was a honour to receive the award for my Dad! And it's a honour to look back a year on and see such lovely comments about the night

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