A Tony Sibson Story

[dalcumly]

8 months after losing to Marvin Hagler for the world title, Tony was still demoralised. His manager Mickey Duff took him out to Atlantic City to fight the 'new' star in the middleweight division, John Collins, who was being lined up for a crack at Hagler. George Francis was brought along as Sibson's trainer, and his 'real' trainer Ken Squires was left at home.
Sibson had never felt as lonely or insecure in all his life. THe day after they arrived Duff took him down to a local gym for sparring. All Tony could see was 'black' faces none of which he recognised. The first sparring partner came in and all the gym were watching out the side of their eyes. Sibson was hopeless, and Mickey Duff called the session off. That night Tony was all for heading home. He phoned his dad in Leicester who basically told him to 'man up'. 'Something' in him changed. THe next day when Duff asked for sparring partner volunteers there was a queue from welterweights to heavyweights desperate to get in the ring. THe first, probably a cruiserweight got in, and within a minute was on his back and finished. The next came in and sixty seconds later Duff had to call off the sparring. That night Duff found a bookmaker and put a lot of money on a Sibson knockout.
THe next night the 'new' superstar lasted less than six minutes, and Duff was very much a richer man.
What Tony remembers though is a lot different. With him was John Mugabi who Tony thought was a 'poor soul' and didn't seem to have a penny to his name. Everyday he told Tony about how he admired George Francis's lovely green tracksuit. When they were all packed up to leave Francis's bags were full and the tracksuit couldn't fit in. He offered it to Mugabi - and the poor lad had to buy it. Sibson is certain that the tracksuit had been donated to Francis by the manufacturer ( Adidas/Nike). THAT was Sibson's lasting memory of the trip.

[JimJim2009]

8 months after losing to Marvin Hagler for the world title, Tony was still demoralised. His manager Mickey Duff took him out to Atlantic City to fight the 'new' star in the middleweight division, John Collins, who was being lined up for a crack at Hagler. George Francis was brought along as Sibson's trainer, and his 'real' trainer Ken Squires was left at home.
Sibson had never felt as lonely or insecure in all his life. THe day after they arrived Duff took him down to a local gym for sparring. All Tony could see was 'black' faces none of which he recognised. The first sparring partner came in and all the gym were watching out the side of their eyes. Sibson was hopeless, and Mickey Duff called the session off. That night Tony was all for heading home. He phoned his dad in Leicester who basically told him to 'man up'. 'Something' in him changed. THe next day when Duff asked for sparring partner volunteers there was a queue from welterweights to heavyweights desperate to get in the ring. THe first, probably a cruiserweight got in, and within a minute was on his back and finished. The next came in and sixty seconds later Duff had to call off the sparring. That night Duff found a bookmaker and put a lot of money on a Sibson knockout.
THe next night the 'new' superstar lasted less than six minutes, and Duff was very much a richer man.
What Tony remembers though is a lot different. With him was John Mugabi who Tony thought was a 'poor soul' and didn't seem to have a penny to his name. Everyday he told Tony about how he admired George Francis's lovely green tracksuit. When they were all packed up to leave Francis's bags were full and the tracksuit couldn't fit in. He offered it to Mugabi - and the poor lad had to buy it. Sibson is certain that the tracksuit had been donated to Francis by the manufacturer ( Adidas/Nike). THAT was Sibson's lasting memory of the trip.

[GlobalBox]

Loved Sibbo, he was fantastic to watch.

[Horse]

Thanks for that.

[bripez]

Is that from Sibsons autobiography ? - I might try to find one.

[THEBUTCH]

Sibson was a cracking fighter and what a left hook that guy had on him.

These stories carry no weight outside of the boxing world, but I love reading these accounts of British boxers at home & abroad.

[Old bones Ian]

John Mugabi couldn't read or write , he learnt to do both once he'd retired from boxing in Australia, he's often said that people took him for his money and goodwill during his time in the UK.

[misterpunch]

great story - gotta love sibbo

[montrealsuper]

Great story - thanks for sharing -

[CiganoBoxer]

Has Sibson got an autobiography ?

[dalcumly]

Thought nobody would ever ask !

Yes he has a biography called ' Sibbo ' . You can get it on amazon.

[CiganoBoxer]

Thought nobody would ever ask !

Yes he has a biography called ' Sibbo ' . You can get it on amazon.

cheers mate

[MightyWarrior]

Good story I believe Dalculmy wrote Sibbo's bio ( ??) and very good it is too.

Tony had a left hook like the crack of doom: the hard as nails Alan Minter thought he'd handle the young upstart no problems, until bang that hook landed and it was good night Al.

Did he ever spar john the beast Mugabi ? They'd have to have been very cautious with two world-class punches like that....What a fight that would've been. In their primes I think John would have been too much for Sibbo, but it would have been fight of the year.

[Bricks]

Duff was like a slavemaster...like the rest of the schysters who ran british and american boxing during the 70s and 80s.....guys like frrank warren and ambrose mendy and Barry hearn changed all that and the fighters situation improved.

[dalcumly]

I don't know about Mickey Duff. It all depends on how he treated you isn't it. Henry Wharton thought the world of him.

[dalcumly]

Sibson v Mugabi

Tony was a moody fighter. Literally. The slightest thing could put him off . But I'll tell you this. When Tony felt like it he was up there with the very best. When Ken Squires trained him, and got him away from thinking too much, he was spot on. Sibson was at his fittest and strongest when he was on the building sites. Of course you can't have a British European and Commonwealth champion carrying bricks for living. Squires had him out chopping trees for hours on end and then wading through marshes with heavy boots. Then watch him go!
In that condition put him in with ANYONE from 11 sts 6 lbs to 12 sts 7 lbs. Tony wouldn't accept it, but in that frame of mind Andries and Tate wouldn't have survived the onslaught. Hagler had too much skill, but Ken Squires maintains the delay in getting Hagler into the ring messed with Tony's head.He lost focussed, started talking to family at the ringside and picking out TV stars. When asked if Tony could have beaten Hagler, Squires still maintains that if he'd managed to take 'Marvelous' to the later rounds he'd have stopped him.
Who knows.

[mickey1975]

I don't know about Mickey Duff. It all depends on how he treated you isn't it. Henry Wharton thought the world of him.

I wouldn't go that far.

[RazorKO]

Sibbo was outclassed by Hagler but should be proud of his effort to wrest the title from him. He clearly put everything in and went down fighting.

Ive read Sibbos book and his character is alot like Johnny Owen. Kind, quiet, and unassuming. Which is why after he stopped boxing he kept out of the limelight, unlike other retired fighters who crave the media attention.

Im glad Sibbo lives a comfortable life now, as growing up he clearly didn't have very much.

[dalcumly]

Nice comments RazorKO.

A French film company are bringing out a film of the life of one of Tony's victims, Jacques Chinon. The background to Sibson's European title fight with Chinon will be covered.

[Jackson328]

A great British middleweight unfortunate to cross career paths with the great Hagler. Always remember how his shorts kept falling down during that bout and for some reason thats my abiding memory! Was gutted at the time as Sibbo was one of my favourites growing up, same with Dave 'Boy' Green who had to bump in to Ray Leonard at his peak. I'll have to get Sibsons autobiography, never seen it for some reason

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Duff was like a slavemaster...like the rest of the schysters who ran british and american boxing during the 70s and 80s.....guys like frrank warren and ambrose mendy and Barry hearn changed all that and the fighters situation improved.

Duff's display in the corner with Mugabi against Hagler was despicable, Teddy Atlas level bullshit.

Sibson was one of many very solid Middleweights in an underrated era because of Marvin's dominance and media/fans reluctance to give Hagler his just due.

[King Tubby]

Does that last bit mean Francis made Mugabe pay for the tracksuit?

[Tomasino]

Does that last bit mean Francis made Mugabe pay for the tracksuit?

That's what I understood it to mean. Rotten cûnt.

[samwbr]

Sibson v Mugabi

Tony was a moody fighter. Literally. The slightest thing could put him off . But I'll tell you this. When Tony felt like it he was up there with the very best. When Ken Squires trained him, and got him away from thinking too much, he was spot on. Sibson was at his fittest and strongest when he was on the building sites. Of course you can't have a British European and Commonwealth champion carrying bricks for living. Squires had him out chopping trees for hours on end and then wading through marshes with heavy boots. Then watch him go!
In that condition put him in with ANYONE from 11 sts 6 lbs to 12 sts 7 lbs. Tony wouldn't accept it, but in that frame of mind Andries and Tate wouldn't have survived the onslaught. Hagler had too much skill, but Ken Squires maintains the delay in getting Hagler into the ring messed with Tony's head.He lost focussed, started talking to family at the ringside and picking out TV stars. When asked if Tony could have beaten Hagler, Squires still maintains that if he'd managed to take 'Marvelous' to the later rounds he'd have stopped him.
Who knows.

Marvin didn't exactly struggle to go the distance if required. No way Sibson beats him.

[boxingknockout]

8 months after losing to Marvin Hagler for the world title, Tony was still demoralised. His manager Mickey Duff took him out to Atlantic City to fight the 'new' star in the middleweight division, John Collins, who was being lined up for a crack at Hagler. George Francis was brought along as Sibson's trainer, and his 'real' trainer Ken Squires was left at home.
Sibson had never felt as lonely or insecure in all his life. THe day after they arrived Duff took him down to a local gym for sparring. All Tony could see was 'black' faces none of which he recognised. The first sparring partner came in and all the gym were watching out the side of their eyes. Sibson was hopeless, and Mickey Duff called the session off. That night Tony was all for heading home. He phoned his dad in Leicester who basically told him to 'man up'. 'Something' in him changed. THe next day when Duff asked for sparring partner volunteers there was a queue from welterweights to heavyweights desperate to get in the ring. THe first, probably a cruiserweight got in, and within a minute was on his back and finished. The next came in and sixty seconds later Duff had to call off the sparring. That night Duff found a bookmaker and put a lot of money on a Sibson knockout.
THe next night the 'new' superstar lasted less than six minutes, and Duff was very much a richer man.
What Tony remembers though is a lot different. With him was John Mugabi who Tony thought was a 'poor soul' and didn't seem to have a penny to his name. Everyday he told Tony about how he admired George Francis's lovely green tracksuit. When they were all packed up to leave Francis's bags were full and the tracksuit couldn't fit in. He offered it to Mugabi - and the poor lad had to buy it. Sibson is certain that the tracksuit had been donated to Francis by the manufacturer ( Adidas/Nike). THAT was Sibson's lasting memory of the trip.

Great story.

With regards to Mickey Duff - Monek Prager was a shyster and manipulator who didn't care about his fighters, just the money. Filthy man