MUGS ALLEY !
Notes and reports on your
own association
Merseyside Former Boxers Association
And
Wirral Ex Boxers Association
March 2006
If you wish to have further information about the Association please contact
Jim Jenkinson , 13 Brooklands Avenue, Waterloo, Liverpool, UK, L22
tel 0151 928 0301
or
Rob Snell at [email protected]
Our web site is
Merseyside and Wirral Ex Boxers
http://www.lmu.livjm.ac.uk/inmylife/Cha ... t/1116.htm
The Swedish Connection
The death was announced a few weeks ago of former Swedish middleweight champion Bosse Hogberg better known to fight fans in this country as ''Bo Hoberg. Hoberg was a formidable fighter with a great KO record and most of his wins were via the KO route. He also had the unique record of having fought both our present and former Presidents in Harry Scott and Johnny Cooke.
Following Hobergs's death our friend and member Harry Otty, author of the recently published superb book on the life of former American middleweight Charley Burley entitled -''Charley Burley and the Black murderers Row' was contacted by a friend of his Per Martensson a sports reporter for the Swedish paper-''HELG''.
Mr. Mertensson brought up the subject of the passing of Bo Hoberg and he mentioned his contest with Harry Scott. Harry Otty informed him that he regularly saw Harry Scott at our monthly meetings and Per Martensson stated that he was wishing to write an article on the fight between Scott and Hoberg as a form of final tribute to the great Swedish fighter. Arrangements were made to visit Harry and to photograph him and the photo was then ''E-Mailed to Per Mertensson in Sweden and a double page article was written covering the contest.
The date of the contest was August 25th 1963, in Karlstad and it was a huge open air event. Harry's wife Brenda recalls the fight in her recently published book ''Almost there” the story of Harry's ring career. Brenda was in hospital following the birth of their daughter Yvonne when Harry together with Tony Vairo travelled to Sweden and when they arrived Harry was suffering from a severe sore throat. and the night before the fight was to take place, Harry was unable to swallow his meal and Tony Vairo suggested that the fight be called off. Both the promoter and Bo Hoberg's manager were desperate that the fight should go ahead and they arranged for Hoberg's doctor to call on Harry to see what he could do for him
.
The doctor gave Harry an injection to ease his throat and told him that he would probably need a further injection the following morning, but he stated that if he gave Harry another then he would probably not be able to fight and so he gave him some tablets with the instruction to take one every few hours. Harry felt terrible but he too wanted the fight to go ahead especially as it has a complete sell-out , with no fewer than 16,000 people having purchased tickets to see their favorite.
Speaking to Harry about the fight he remembers that Hoberg's team felt that Harry was ''dead at the weight” and that this would be an easy night for the Swedish champion but Harry could not believe what happened for he said that ''Hoberg came out of his corner with his hands down by his sides” -a big mistake - for Harry might not have been feeling well but his fighting instincts took over and threw a perfect right hand, and the fight has over in the opening seconds of the first round . It turned out to be one of Harry's easiest wins alongside that of his first round K0 of Yolande Pompey. Harry returned home the following day to spend time With Brenda and his new daughter.
Bo Hobergs contest against Johnny Cooke took place almost exactly two years later on 15th August 1965, in Gothenburg. Hoberg won a closely fought eight rounds points decision over the future British and Empire featherweight champion.
Harry retains fond memories of Sweden for he returned there on 18th March 1966, in Gothenburg and won a 10 rounds points decision over Sugar Boy Nando. He says that he was always made welcome over there and became quite a favourite with the Swedish fight fans and was saddened to hear of Bo Hobergs passing, and sends his deepest condolences to members of his family...
Fights to Remember
Our readers will remember that in last month's issue of Mugs Alley instead of our regular series of reports from the former Liverpool stadiums; I published instead the build up to the contest between Liverpool Tommy Molloy the newly crowned British welter- weight champion, and London's Albert Carroll in Molloy's first defence of his title. This month's issue publishes the full report of the contestant appeared in the October 23rd 1959 issue of Boxing News and the report reads as follows.
Referee Intervenes in Dramatic Twelth Round
UPROAR AS MOLLOY KEEPS CROWN
Liverpool -October 14.
After Paddy Graham of Belfast had stepped in the ring and challenged the winner before the first bell had sounded Tommy Molloy the British welterweight champion, Liverpool ( 10-5 ½ ), retained his title in sensational fashion against Albert Carroll of Bethnal Green, (10-6-14), at the Stadium. Die hard fans are used to breathless thrills and drama at this renowned ''graveyard of champions' but it is pretty safe to say that they have never known such a fantastic finale as this. Most ringsiders believed that Molloy had won by a knockout until the M.C. Nat Basso gave the referee's verdict. It read poignantly for Carroll's bitterly disappointed supporters- Carroll was unable to defend himself and the referee stopped the fight in the 12th rounded”.
Until then there had been bedlam and a regular hullabaloo between the rival factions who literally swarmed into the ring and surrounded referee, Billy Jones, of Wales who was officiating in his first championship fight at the Stadium.
Carroll’s manager and seconds protested heatedly against his decision. It appeared as though Carroll has still sufficiently alert and capable of continuing although he had narrowly survived two counts of “nine''.
It was one of those stark controversial decisions which will be debated for years. And yet the greatest excitement of the fight was concentrated in two rounds- the 11th and 12th. Until then Carroll was faster, smarter, and more convincing and was almost coasting to a comfortable points win. He was continually beating Molloy to the punchers was moving inside, scoring all the time with his flashing straight left to the jaw. The champion looked worried and perplexed with his left eye cut and swelling and Carroll jabbed and hooked with accuracy as they broke from the clinches.
Time and again Carroll stopped Molloy in his tracks with that ramrod straight leftward his prospects were rising high, for the champion showed little sparkle or confident aggression in his work. He was surprisingly slow and hesitant when openings presented themselves
It was obvious that Molloy and his seconds, conserving his stamina and strength, realised that a determined last dying effort was required, and Tommy certainly provided it in the 11th round. He fought back with astonishing courage and resolution. He cut loose and trapped Carroll against the ropes with a fierce barrage of lefts and rights to the head and body.
Several left hooks found Carroll’s stomach, and he staggered and tottered on his feet. Molloy slammed away and Carroll went down for ''nine” .The bell came to his rescue just as Molloy was preparing to close in, but this unexpected turn around proved the decisive factor.
Amid a continuous roar from his supporters Molloy again moved inside with punishing effect. Carroll also hit t back like a trapped animal, but his normal strength was waning- and Molloy had him in serious distress alongside the ropes. Another hectic battery of lefts and rights saw Carroll slump to the canvas. He rose at “Nine” and referee Jones intervened ..
Brian Curvis of Swansea, (10-3 ¼ ) treated the ringsiders to a classical two fisted display in stopping Ron Jackson of Newcastle (10 6 ½ ) in the fourth round. They thought of Ernie Roderick as Brian pivoted and wheeled around with tip top speed, skill and confidence. Jackson may have been overawed by Brian’s reputation, but he was continually “On the spot” before the referee intervened.
Johnny Cunningham of Huddersfield (11-8 ½ ) found his narrow points win over Derek Liversidge of Nottingham, ( 10-9 ½ ) , loudly booed after their rousing eight rounds contestant. It was another critical outburst against the ''third man'' but Cunningham was clearly the stronger and more aggressive puncher when he reached close quarters.
Johnny was definitely lucky to snatch the honours against a pleasing scientific boxer who is already anxious for a return, and was able to counteract Cunningham's fast and furious body attacks.
Although his stylish opponent Roy Jacobs of Nigeria, ( 9-3 ¾ ) got another disputed points decision, Eric Brett of Retford ( 9-3 ¼ ) shook hands with referee Jim Mahoney at the end of their lively eight rounds bout. It was their third meeting and Jacobs is now leading 2-1 but he had several first class shocks in the last session.
Game and menacing to the last second Brett lashed out with both gloves and he staggered Jacobs with a vicious right cross to the chin. Jacobs fell back in obvious trouble and Brett tore inside like a frenzied demon hooking and jabbing while the coloured boy fought desperately to defend himself. His punches landed crisply and with solid effective was an unhappy night for Brett who came in overweight and paid forfeit but the audience loved his grand fighting spirit, and Jacobs was severely extended by Brett’s fierce full-blooded rallies...
After his seconds had patched up his first round eye injury, Malcolm Worthington of Crewe (11-9) kept his unbeaten record against Scottish exile , Al Bereti , ( 11-6 ¼ ) in their six- rounder.. Worthington scraped through with an extremely close points decision, which was not well received . lt was a tough bruising scrap all through with Bereti cracking home many heavy right crosses to Worthington's chin.
Bereti had a glorious ''shiner'' an ominous looking black eye, in the fourth session and both boys battled on furious1y,with Bereti appearing to take a slight edge on the proceedings but Worthington rallied again and his crushing body slamming must have influenced the referee....
In the closing four-rounder Billy Nelson of Lancaster (9-6) made a praiseworthy recovery to outpoint his taller opponent , Johnny Fitzpatrick of Sheffield (9-4),who set a hot pace in the early stages.
_________________