Blackpool urged to name arena after boxer Brian London

[Like a Boss]

Blackpool urged to name arena after boxer Brian London

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-36874219



Councillors in Blackpool are to be asked to rename the resort's sports arena after one of the town's greatest sportsman.

Tory group leader Tony Williams has tabled a motion to name the Stanley Park Sports Arena the Brian London Arena after the heavyweight boxer.

It comes on the 50th anniversary of his unsuccessful attempt to beat Muhammad Ali in a world title fight.

The motion is to be discussed at the next full council in September.

Mr Williams said Blackpool had done "nothing to recognise" 82-year-old London, who was British and Commonwealth Champion and twice fought for the world title.

His call was backed by Kevin Hickey, the coach to the British Olympic boxing team from 1972 to 1988, who said: "I think it is a fantastic idea."

[brilo33]

what about the other great bri

[mickey1975]

what about the other great bri

Adam will be on soon yelling about it. He fell out with me because I said Andrade would stop The Lion.

[Tangerine]

If Blackpool council are organising this then id expect something to happen about christmas 2025..im presuming this is for the athletics ground on Stanley Park rather than the Leisure Centre.Not exactly the greatest "arena" to have named after you,its a running track with a small stand on one side with absolutely no connection to boxing whatsoever.

[Stuarty]

The London arena in Blackpool

[forcefraser]

London looks like a light heavy in that photo. Times have changed.

[Nightmare Roy]

Slightly off topic, my grand parents used to take me to Stanley park when I was a young kid over 30 years ago and I loved it! I rember going on some motor boats and they were ace! Anyway what I want to know is this, should I go back there for a memory lane or just stick with the memories I have. Is it as nice as my 7 year old self thinks or is it a bum hole like most parks outside of London.

[ted822]

London looks like a light heavy in that photo. Times have changed.

Looks like he was in good condition for that fight. He normally had a bit of weight on him,came in at around 15 stone. Quite heavy for an athlete no more than 6ft tall. But Im sure he could haver been cruiserweight if he was boxing today,with some success. Of course,he was no match for Ali. In most of his fights,he gave of his best,and some were against VERY good fighters. But that was a bridge too far,and he knew it before the fight.
Apparently though he was no lover of boxing,he had a house near Stanley Park,which has been mentioned,and in it he had a punch bag. Also used to go running,and was lighter than in his boxing days after he retired. But I did hear he went back to live in County Durham,where he lived as part of his boyhood. Still alive,does anyone know of he's still there?

[calmdown]

Anyway what I want to know is this, should I go back there for a memory lane or just stick with the memories I have. Is it as nice as my 7 year old self thinks or is it a bum hole like most parks outside of London.

Stanley Park is lovely now mate, they've done a great job with it. Nicest part of Blackpool by a country mile.

[roy]

His part in the Porthcawl brawl is one of my favourite childhood memories.

[olij999]

Just call it "The Brian Arena". Then Mr. London and Mr. Rose will both be covered.

[banjo]

The Blackpool Rock Arena

[Sklar]

The Blackpool Rock Arena

Good name. That's what I'd call it.

[ILikeBeer]

The London arena in Blackpool

[Coco]

The Blackpool Rock Arena

After Matthew Ellis?

[Sklar]

The Blackpool Rock Arena

After Matthew Ellis?

No. Mathew's would be called 'The First Billion Dollar Athlete Arena' but it may not happen.

[ILikeBeer]

The Blackpool Rock Arena

After Matthew Ellis?

No. Mathew's would be called 'The First Billion Dollar Athlete Arena' but it may not happen.

Yeah, but did the first dollar fall to the fighter?

[Nightmare Roy]

Anyway what I want to know is this, should I go back there for a memory lane or just stick with the memories I have. Is it as nice as my 7 year old self thinks or is it a bum hole like most parks outside of London.

Stanley Park is lovely now mate, they've done a great job with it. Nicest part of Blackpool by a country mile.

Cheers fella, when I'm back up North I'll check it out, spent loads of time in BP as a kid, great times.