Celebrating the 'unsung heroes' of British boxing

[Deserter]

Gents, after reading the amazing tributes on the Dean Powell thread it got me thinking. I didn't know Dean at all and if I'm honest, the impression formed of him based on the posts I'd seen here over the years hadn't left an overwhelmingly positive impression. Therefore it was a real eye-opener to get to find out the 'real' Dean Powell and I felt it was such a shame that a lot of these stories only came out when he'd passed away, when actually it could have meant a lot to him to realize how well thought of he was while he was still with us.
It's easy for all of us to get caught up in specific issues on the forum and get heated over relatively minor disputes in the scheme of things, but something like Dean's death puts things in perspective.
At the moment there isn't really a platform to recognise all the amazing work done by those involved in the British boxing scene, day-in, day-out, and normally for no real acknowledgement or reward. This could be anyone from an actual boxer through to a cornerman or even a promoter.
So, why don't we all take the time to make this a tribute thread to the 'unsung heroes' of the scene by sharing your personal stories of interacting with those people on the scene who've left a great impression on you.
Mods, could even be worth making this a sticky so it can be updated on an ongoing basis?
Who's going to kick things off?

[mickey1975]

Dennis Robbins, Hunslet Boys Club, who lost a fellow great trainer, and man, in Ritchie O'Coy recently. The amount of good fighters they have produced and the not so good fighters they have helped is unbelievable. Am and pro.

[Deserter]

Dennis Robbins, Hunslet Boys Club, who lost a fellow great trainer, and man, in Ritchie O'Coy recently. The amount of good fighters they have produced and the not so good fighters they have helped is unbelievable. Am and pro.

Cheers for starting things off Mickey

[The Law]

Frank O'Sullivan.

Frank has been training fighters for over 50 years in Birmingham and has done endless work to keep youngsters out of trouble. He has nurtured talent such as Robert McCracken and Kal Yafai, amongst many others. He has been in the industry because he loves the sport and enjoys helping people. He barely receives enough membership fees to cover the rent for the gym at times (.... he often lets kids who are struggling financially to use the gym for free). Frank is one of the nicest and most generous guys in the sport. He prefers to stay away from the spotlight but I thought I should give him a mention

[The Insider]

Say what u want about Mike Goodhall but he is the busiest most hard working man in British Boxing, the bloke is an unbelievable grafter. I also know he does a lot of "good deeds" behind the scenes too, keeping shows rolling the length and breadth of the country.

Ernie Draper has whipped shows for FW for 30 years and is also a very hard worker and at 74 years of age hes showing no signs of slowing down. Also a real lovely fella.

There are also a couple of posters on here I know who hold positions within the BBBoC who do tremendous work behind the scenes working with ex-boxers or folk who have been involved in the sport who've fallen on hard times giving both their time and their own finacial resources where needed.

[Coco]

Ernie is a great bloke.

[stevedoc]

last night i met rocky kelly the welter weight from the 80's .rocky was to me the hardest toughest british fighter i had the pleasure to see but no one had a idea who he was at a boxing show i was at , it was great speaking with kelly and he was shocked i knew him or that anyone remembers him but to me he was a legend .


also an old mucker of mine mark reigate who took over from mick carney at the fitzroy lodge as head coach , i know mark went straight into training once he stopped fighting himself abot 10 years ago and i know it's an old story but he has helped so many young lads make something of their lives and all for f@ck all really money wise .

[taffytoon]

Brian Coleman

[WelshJack]

Joe Gallagher used to get a lot of stick I have no idea why. His game plans are incredible and is one of the best trainers in Britain in my eyes.

[palooka]

John Oxenham and Carl Tilley put a lot of time and effort in coaching amateurs in Doncaster and are dedicated and know hat they are doing (both ex pros); Ken Blood has run the Plant Works in Doncaster for about 40 years

[orbtastic]

I was going to mention Ken but felt it rather empty as I've not spoken to him since I was about 14.

[dbflex]

Ace cutman and great character Frank Hopkins is a top fella and made me very welcome when I started at Boxing News.

John Wischhusen is incredibly knowledgeable but also a great guy – always polite and helpful and never seeks the limelight, shuns it in fact. Matchroom would not be anywhere near as powerful without his hard work over the years.

Ken Selleck and Len Whaley. Two local journalists who, in their own small way, help keep boxing's name alive in London newspapers. Ken still submits his copy in handwritten form and even though we've had to type it up I still think he's amazing. Proper old-school gents the two of them.

[Dan Dares]

Ken Selleck and Len Whaley. Two local journalists who, in their own small way, help keep boxing's name alive in London newspapers. Ken still submits his copy in handwritten form and even though we've had to type it up I still think he's amazing. Proper old-school gents the two of them.

x 2

[Dan Dares]

Say what u want about Mike Goodhall but he is the busiest most hard working man in British Boxing

His boy Simon's a good bloke too.

[The Insider]

Say what u want about Mike Goodhall but he is the busiest most hard working man in British Boxing

His boy Simon's a good bloke too.

Yup nice fella.

[spudder56]

There is a board official in the midlands who lives and breathes the sport who in my opinion has done more work for the sport than anybody and all for nothing or very little reward and has never received the praise and respect and indeed the reward he deserves for all his innovative work the guy is les Potts

[Old bones Ian]

Jack Bishop, always a good guy. He's now well into his 80's and keeps going.
I went to a show once and there was a mixup with some tickets, he came out of the venue spoke to me then went back in, couple of minutes later he had our tickets. This was during one of his own promotions, and he had boxers to get ready, work in their corners and make sure the show was running on time.
But he took the time to come out and sort the tickets out, i'd never met him before , so he had no reason to do me a favour. Top bloke.

[The Law]

There is a board official in the midlands who lives and breathes the sport who in my opinion has done more work for the sport than anybody and all for nothing or very little reward and has never received the praise and respect and indeed the reward he deserves for all his innovative work the guy is les Potts

I'm sure you meant me ......

On a serious note Les' contribution to the board is invaluable. He works tirelessly behind the scenes and is very approachable

[Old bones Ian]

Jack Bishop, always a good guy. He's now well into his 80's and keeps going.
I went to a show once and there was a mixup with some tickets, he came out of the venue spoke to me then went back in, couple of minutes later he had our tickets. This was during one of his own promotions, and he had boxers to get ready, work in their corners and make sure the show was running on time.
But he took the time to come out and sort the tickets out, i'd never met him before , so he had no reason to do me a favour. Top bloke.

X2 I still go out for a meal with him once a month he was actually 90 in May he's still at it now not many in his gym now but he thinks he will pop his clogs if he gives it up. Lovely lovely old boy he has many many stories to tell an is still sharp as a razor. Can be a stubborn stuck in his ways old git but at that age he deserves to be

I bet he does have a load of stories to tell, lets hope he keeps going for as long as he can :)

[addi]

Joe Gallagher used to get a lot of stick I have no idea why. His game plans are incredible and is one of the best trainers in Britain in my eyes.

not exactly an unsung hero though is he.

[WelshJack]

Joe Gallagher used to get a lot of stick I have no idea why. His game plans are incredible and is one of the best trainers in Britain in my eyes.

not exactly an unsung hero though is he.

Underrated for sure.

[addi]

Joe Gallagher used to get a lot of stick I have no idea why. His game plans are incredible and is one of the best trainers in Britain in my eyes.

not exactly an unsung hero though is he.

Underrated for sure.

I wouldn't say he's underrated at all, infact i'd go the other way and say he's way overrated, got to be the luckiest coach in Manchester to get that stable together, although it's not luck really, he's defo a great self publicist, gallaghers gym has never even existed.

[jonp]

There is a board official in the midlands who lives and breathes the sport who in my opinion has done more work for the sport than anybody and all for nothing or very little reward and has never received the praise and respect and indeed the reward he deserves for all his innovative work the guy is les Potts

Should be running the board to be fair.Would be the perfect man for the job

[The Insider]

There is a board official in the midlands who lives and breathes the sport who in my opinion has done more work for the sport than anybody and all for nothing or very little reward and has never received the praise and respect and indeed the reward he deserves for all his innovative work the guy is les Potts

Should be running the board to be fair.Would be the perfect man for the job

All day Jon. The problem is if he was in charge we would all discover how antiquated the Board is so they feel threatened by him. Les is a top bloke.

[addi]

I wouldn't say he's underrated at all, infact i'd go the other way and say he's way overrated, got to be the luckiest coach in Manchester to get that stable together, although it's not luck really, he's defo a great self publicist, gallaghers gym has never even existed.

Not unsung at all but gets far too much stick I love listening to him in the corner very knowledgable trainer[/quote]
I wouldn't say i'm giving him stick, I don't rate him as a coach, it's not stick it's an opinion, you enjoy listening to him I don't. as for very knowledgeable not so sure, his fighters have no defence.