Chill Factor: Crawford Ashley on Finding His Level

[thenonpareil]

After compiling an amateur record of 60-10, with over forty knockouts, Ashley made the transition into the professional ranks on March 26, 1987, stopping Steve Ward in the second round. By May 4, 1988, Ashley was 5-1 and took on future world champion Johnny Nelson, who was 8-5 at that point. “My memories of that fight were going to a venue and not knowing who I was going to box,” Ashley recalled. “My trainer said, ‘Jump on the scales.’ I started stripping off and he said, ‘You don’t need to worry about stripping off. Just jump on.’ I jumped on fully clothed and weighed about twelve stone, thirteen pounds [181 pounds]. Johnny Nelson comes in, stripped off completely and he weighed thirteen stone and some [182 pounds]. I thought, ‘The fight’s been made. Let’s get on with it.’ Johnny taught me a hell of a lot in that fight. He put me down in the seventh round and I lost by half a point. If he hadn’t put me down, that fight was mine.”

https://hannibalboxing.com/chill-factor ... his-level/

[bennie]

Nice interview of a nice guy. I took Crawford for granted in his fighting days. He is incredibly laid back and gave me the impression he might drop out of a bitter, twisted sport such as boxing at any time because his older brother Glen had dropped out after winning the ABA light-heavyweight title at Wembley in 1982 (when barely weighing above the middleweight limit). Glen, who was only 22, never boxed again.
I was wrong. Crawford stuck at boxing through the highs and lows and I warmed to his undoubted grit, power and boxing ability, particularly at British level. He proved an outstanding British light-heavyweight champion in the 1990s, winning two Lonsdale Belts under old Board rules and also enjoying two spells as European light-heavyweight champion but he lacked that extra bit of magic (and the chin) to make it at world level.
An early win over Carl Thompson in October 1989 tells you everything about the Leeds man. Crawford climbed off the deck in the first round and picked the unbeaten Bolton man apart until referee Micky Vann waved it off in the sixth. Thompson claimed a thumb in the eye but he simply stopped fighting and Crawford had the same effect on Southampton's unbeaten Jim Peters in 1991, stopping him in just 55 seconds in what proved an embarrassing night for Terry Lawless in the Peters corner. The ageing Lawless was losing his touch.
Three years later, Crawford took a thrilling 12-round decision over Nicky Piper on one of the greatest domestic boxing nights of all time in Cardiff in November 1994, a night that also featured Naseem Hamed bombing out the unbeaten Laureano Ramirez, Robbie Regan edging Luigi Camputaro for the European title, James Oyebola sparking Clifton Mitchell for the British heavyweight title, Neil Swain stopping former ABA champion David Hardie... It was unbelievable fare from promoter F rank Warren. Both Crawford and the gutsy Piper took turns to reel with exhaustion in the last desperate three minutes.
Two fights later, Crawford ventured to the States to challenge Virgil Hill for the WBA light-heavyweight title. Warren offered his man a new porsche in victory but Hill proved too clever and poured it on in the last and nearly stopped Ashley. Amazingly, it was Hill's 17th successful defence across two reigns. Crawford came back to win the European title but his chin let him down against Ole Klemetsen and he eventually passed the domestic torch to Clinton Woods, who stopped him in eight rounds in 1999, although Crawford was dead at the weight and tried his hand at cruiserweight for a few fights before seeing the light and calling it a day.

[Roco]

I wonder what would have happened if the fight with Wharton had gone ahead.

[tobyh5]

Bennie you forgot him dropping down to 168 to fight Michael Nunn, which is one of his big career moments.

[bennie]

I didn't forget, Toby; I just picked a few moments from his long career (14 years) and then wrapped it up. The Nunn fight was a mistake, in my opinion. Crawford was a big light-heavyweight who boxed at heavyweight in the amateurs and hurt himself going down to 12 stone. He went down five times from Nunn's body shots and was rescued in the sixth.

[Old bones Ian]

I didn't forget, Toby; I just picked a few moments from his long career (14 years) and then wrapped it up. The Nunn fight was a mistake, in my opinion. Crawford was a big light-heavyweight who boxed at heavyweight in the amateurs and hurt himself going down to 12 stone. He went down five times from Nunn's body shots and was rescued in the sixth.

How dare you challenge the mighty Bennie's knowledge, you poor mortal

[mickey1975]

I wonder what would have happened if the fight with Wharton had gone ahead.

Who knows? Henry was done and so was Crawford.
I was at an amateur show a few years ago in Leeds when Crawford refused to get in the ring with all the other ex pros because Henry was there. He still holds a grudge!
He was a very powerful man, Crawford. There’s not a lot on him, either. And he’s always stoned! He used to sit in The Fforde Green pub in Harehills, Leeds, high as a kite before and after training.

[orbtastic]

I saw him box live a couple of times. Always liked him. Big puncher for someone with such a slight looking frame but he's a big fella.

The Nunn fight was a mistake, he looked ill down at 168, like ET when ET's dying, his skin looked grey and he had clearly sweated it off.

The fight with Piper was great and much overlooked, I think he edged it by half a point (half point scoring in those days, still, and scored by the ref).

He got absolutely wrecked by Ole Klemetsen, that was a hard KO and he was on a good run/KO streak before that.

[olij999]

I saw him box live a couple of times. Always liked him. Big puncher for someone with such a slight looking frame but he's a big fella.

The Nunn fight was a mistake, he looked ill down at 168, like ET when ET's dying, his skin looked grey and he had clearly sweated it off.

The fight with Piper was great and much overlooked, I think he edged it by half a point (half point scoring in those days, still, and scored by the ref).

He got absolutely wrecked by Ole Klemetsen, that was a hard KO and he was on a good run/KO streak before that.

All very good points, orb, and I enjoyed watching Crawford Ashley a lot too, but why did you have to remind us about ET dying? Surely some sort of trigger warning should have been given before posting that kind of traumatic stuff.

[mickey1975]

Tony Booth said Crawford hit harder than anyone except Joe Calzaghe before his hands went.

[stujones]

A great European Level fighter, who I am sure would have been a world champion in todays era. He's up there when I think of best British fighter (of modern times) not to win a world title.

[black panther]

great stuff Bennie!

I remember Ashley being ahead on points against Sebastian Rothmann before being brutally taken out.

He was quality at light-heavy in his prime.

[mickey1975]

great stuff Bennie!

I remember Ashley being ahead on points against Sebastian Rothmann before being brutally taken out.

He was quality at light-heavy in his prime.

Gary didn’t do half of what he could.

[mickey1975]

No need to top anything, I gave Crawford the credit he deserves.

[jamesmcdonnell]

A wee bit harsh no?

[mickey1975]

No need to top anything, I gave Crawford the credit he deserves.

I think the point he's making Mickey is virtually Everytime a post is made regarding a Leeds based boxer you always pop up with some 'insider' knowledge anecdote (that could only be known by someone 'close' to the fighter) OR you claim to have been 'talking' to the fighter in question only a matter of days before.

But this 'Mingo' lad reckons he's actually sparred with Ashley/Gary so it sounds likes he's 'done a bit' where as (if the rumours are true) you are a wheezing, red faced alky and the pinnacle of your boxing is barely waddling through one of Henry Wharton's 'Fat Dad' sessions.

Jorvik, pal. Just the fact you know Henry does Fat Dads shows you must be following him on FB?

[mickey1975]

Let me know when you can make one of those sessions and I will gladly come down. 43, 17st, easily do 6x3s.

[mickey1975]

'Jorvik' ?

https://www.jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk/

I'm not on Facebook, but I did live in Woodthorpe for a while and used the gym a few times.

NB: I did NOT participate in 'Fat Dads'

No, Jorvik ABC.

[mickey1975]

Where does Denzil work ?

He’s never worked.

But ...

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/ ... -1-2255854

So you criticised Denzil whilst training at Henry’s?

[orbtastic]

Denzil worked at BT when he boxed Andries.

[mickey1975]

Where/when did I imply that?

I'm merely exposing how worthless your supposed 'insider' knowledge is.

You (with your habitual arrogance) state that Browne 'has never worked' but the Evening Post link posted in response soon debunked this.

Coming from Leeds and having been involved in the Leeds boxing scene for many years I'm always pleased to see a thread about a Leeds based fighter.

However this is always diminished somewhat as the thread will inevitably feature you evoking your non existent 'friendship' or quoting a fabricated 'conversation' you recently had with the boxer in question.

So this thread is posted I of course have a look and within a couple of posts we have 'I WAS AT AN AMATEUR SHOW .... ' and even more presumptuous 'GARY' (we ALL know his birth name was 'Gary' but the thread/article was about his career as ... CRAWFORD ASHLEY)

You're a total non entity mate, a hanger on, a 'wannabe' who's done f*ck all in the sport.

As I said, I’ll meet you at Henry’s. Saturday is his first show of the season.
Never claimed to have done anything, BTW.

[mickey1975]

Never mind that Pikey, let's see the 'Big Mammas' pics ...

Hunslet next week?

[mickey1975]

The 'Big Mammas' will be at Hunslet next week

Jorvik are sparring there..... you are more than welcome.
No doubt you’ll know Dennis?

[mickey1975]

What's Jorvik got to do with it?

You're a 'Henry's Gym Fat Dad'

I used to work on an industrial estate on Hillidge Road and I trained at the old Leeds Athletic Institute on my lunch break, when that closed down I used Hunslet Boys for a while but Dennis and Danny tried roping me into coaching so I stopped going.

Level 2 Jorvik, pal.

[mickey1975]

I don't know what you are talking about

Then you have no idea how the amateur game works.