He came from nowhere

[orbtastic]

He was a para wasn’t he? Had the maroon shorts and wings. He was a decent little fighter.

[My Name Is Earl]

He was a para wasn’t he? Had the maroon shorts and wings. He was a decent little fighter.

Wow, just watched the ABA final with Eamon Mcauley that bennie recommended.

Who needs the pros when you've got that

Interesting comments from Eamon in the comments section too. Puts a whole new slant
on things.

[Old bones Ian]

Good question. Eamonn McAuley took part in one of the greatest ABA finals of all time when he took out Carl Crook in three rounds in 1985 but his pro career never really got really off the ground and I have no reason why. Some fighters, such as Marlon Ward or Mark Bowers, just fall by the wayside.

Carl Crook....You really give the suede a nudge with these names.

Had a great local following and always seemed to be on midweek ITV boxing. Carved out a decent career
on the domestic & CW front, with some memorable fights incl' those two Lancashire derbies with Roche, and the biggie that
put his name out there, the ko of Najib Daho, who deserves his own mention (was a promoters dream).
The ex squaddie fell short at Euro level but i'm sure he made a good few bob along the way.

For some reason I never took to Carl Crook, a decent boxer but didn't come across well when he won.

[My Name Is Earl]

Carl Crook....You really give the suede a nudge with these names.

Had a great local following and always seemed to be on midweek ITV boxing. Carved out a decent career
on the domestic & CW front, with some memorable fights incl' those two Lancashire derbies with Roche, and the biggie that
put his name out there, the ko of Najib Daho, who deserves his own mention (was a promoters dream).
The ex squaddie fell short at Euro level but i'm sure he made a good few bob along the way.

For some reason I never took to Carl Crook, a decent boxer but didn't come across well when he won.

I can't remember his interviews. I know he had a lively following.

[JimJim2009]

For some reason I never took to Carl Crook, a decent boxer but didn't come across well when he won.

I can't remember his interviews. I know he had a lively following.

I was ringside doing the report for Carl Crook's British and Commonwealth title fight in Sheffield against Tony Richards, for "boxing weekly". It went bust soon afterwards, and so did my fledging career as a boxing reporter, I was 17 or 18 at the time

[dookus]

It's Dave McAuley's brother Eamonn that is chatting to Hoko in the vid clip.

I don't know why Eamonn retired, Bennie any knowledge?

Good question. Eamonn McAuley took part in one of the greatest ABA finals of all time when he took out Carl Crook in three rounds in 1985 but his pro career never really got really off the ground and I have no reason why. Some fighters, such as Marlon Ward or Mark Bowers, just fall by the wayside.

Thanks! There's also some interesting insight into the Crook fight from McAuley himself in the comments to he YouTube video:

[bennie]

Good question. Eamonn McAuley took part in one of the greatest ABA finals of all time when he took out Carl Crook in three rounds in 1985 but his pro career never really got really off the ground and I have no reason why. Some fighters, such as Marlon Ward or Mark Bowers, just fall by the wayside.

Thanks! There's also some interesting insight into the Crook fight from McAuley himself in the comments to he YouTube video:

Eamonn's body work was superb all the way through the championships and what wonderful sportsmanship Carl showed after the finish. I really felt for Carl in the ABAs because in 1982 he ran into Jim McDonnell, in 1983, it was Kenny Willis, in 1984, Alex Dickson and in 1985, McAuley of course - all of whom won the ABA lightweight title and Carl wound up with nothing, so I was delighted when he turned pro and won British and Commonwealth lightweight titles.

[SticknMove]

Remember Eamon McAuley coming from Ireland and banging out opponents everywhere in his in junior/senior amateur transition.

[margaret thatcher]

Did McCauley's ankle injury ruin his pro career or something? Crook certainly outperformed him there with 5 British title fight wins

McCauley wins 6 fights his first year pro, then loses with that ankle, and then 2 years out and really pretty much stagnated from there before retiring 11-1

[SticknMove]

Did McCauley's ankle injury ruin his pro career or something? Crook certainly outperformed him there with 5 wins in British title fights
McCauley wins 6 fights his first year pro, then loses with that ankle, and then 2 years out and really pretty much stagnated from there before retiring 11-1

No idea .... but was hot property back then.

[NoScoutingReports]

What did you make of Hoko, bennie?

The McGuigan comparison was inevitable obviously because of Eastwood, but his style was uncannily similar.

After going to M/cr for a Happy Mondays gig on the Saturday i met up with an old workmate on security, who
told me get my arse back up there in midweek and he'd get me in for Hoko's 'eliminator'. It was a crackin' 3 rounds
but seeing the Liverpudlian live shown how open he was. Having said that he recovered superbly from a pearler
that put him down. A real punter-friendly fighter whilst he lasted.

He cruised to British and European featherweight titles, survived a couple of scares against the Frenchman Farid Benredjeb and Mexico's Eduardo "Fili" Montoya, then suffered gruesome injuries at the hands (well, the head) of Marcos Villasana in a clash for the vacant WBC featherweight title in Manchester in 1990 which Paul had dominated until he could barely see from swellings around his eyes and had to be rescued. (The Board of Control banned TV interviews in the ring after that one).

Funnily enough after the Bundesliga this afternoon BT Sport have put a re-run of the first Villasana fight on, absolute phone booth war! Incredible viewing.

[bennie]

He cruised to British and European featherweight titles, survived a couple of scares against the Frenchman Farid Benredjeb and Mexico's Eduardo "Fili" Montoya, then suffered gruesome injuries at the hands (well, the head) of Marcos Villasana in a clash for the vacant WBC featherweight title in Manchester in 1990 which Paul had dominated until he could barely see from swellings around his eyes and had to be rescued. (The Board of Control banned TV interviews in the ring after that one).

Funnily enough after the Bundesliga this afternoon BT Sport have put a re-run of the first Villasana fight on, absolute phone booth war! Incredible viewing.

Villasana got lucky but he deserved some luck after four previous world title attempts at featherweight against Azumah Nelson(twice), Antonio Esparragoza and Jeff Fenech all ended in gallant failure. The iron-jawed Mexican held Nelson to a majority decision in their first encounter in 1986 but was more clearly outscored a year later (Nelson was brilliant in rematches, much like Jose Napoles.) Villasana then held Esparragoza to a magnificent draw in 1988 and would have won but for a low blow which cost him a point. He conceded a unanimous decision to Fenech in Melbourne in 1989 but the brilliant Aussie banged up his hands and actually announced his retirement afterwards, before eventually returning at super-featherweight.
Villasana and Hodkinson boxed-off for the WBC featherweight title Fenech vacated.

[THEBUTCH]

Nice reminders about how tough Villasana was. He was a right handful

I'd forgotten how close he pushed Nelson and Esparragoza. I remember Fenech beating him but Jeff had to work very hard for the win.

Villasana definitely deserved some luck but such a shame it came against a hard working, honest pro like Hoko.

[My Name Is Earl]

Funnily enough after the Bundesliga this afternoon BT Sport have put a re-run of the first Villasana fight on, absolute phone booth war! Incredible viewing.

Villasana got lucky but he deserved some luck after four previous world title attempts at featherweight against Azumah Nelson(twice), Antonio Esparragoza and Jeff Fenech all ended in gallant failure. The iron-jawed Mexican held Nelson to a majority decision in their first encounter in 1986 but was more clearly outscored a year later (Nelson was brilliant in rematches, much like Jose Napoles.) Villasana then held Esparragoza to a magnificent draw in 1988 and would have won but for a low blow which cost him a point. He conceded a unanimous decision to Fenech in Melbourne in 1989 but the brilliant Aussie banged up his hands and actually announced his retirement afterwards, before eventually returning at super-featherweight.
Villasana and Hodkinson boxed-off for the WBC featherweight title Fenech vacated.

Did an 8 hour stint from Crook/Daho 1&2, to Daho/Cowdell, to Cowdell/Nelson to Nelson/Fenech 1 & 2
to Sweet Pea/Nelson ...Those thumbnails are enticing.

Azumah deffo in my top 5. Despite the ring prowess, what a presence he had and his interviews were always
quality. Watching the Cowdell destruction shown how the much the safety/respect aspect needed to be updated.
Lying poleaxed unconscious, Paddy Lynch's natural instinct is to cradle his fighters lifeless head on his lap. A touching sight, before the doctor jumps in and puts him in the recovery position etc. Unbelievably the mc announces the verdict
whilst Zoom's entourage celebrate like crazy while Pat's still on the deck.

For phone booth classics the first Fenech fight had 3 rounds of world class close range action akin to Barkley Duran. Fenech was screwed on the cards for me, but the rematch saw the return of Nelson's power displays which added fuel
to his excuse of illness before the first fight. A legend.

[Delta Jay]

Am I right in thinking Choi Tseevenpurev appeared out of nowhere then moved from Mongolia to somewhere in the north of England and just started battering all the British featherweights?

He was an interesting one, does anyone know more about him, or have anything to watch about him?

[Counter-puncher]

Am I right in thinking Choi Tseevenpurev appeared out of nowhere then moved from Mongolia to somewhere in the north of England and just started battering all the British featherweights?

[banjo]

Yeah Choi came over from Mongolia, I only noticed him when he beat Derry Mathews but he'd already been in the UK for 8 years.

[banjo]

Yeah Choi came over from Mongolia, I only noticed him when he beat Derry Mathews but he'd already been in the UK for 8 years.

Is he still there? Mongolia is a huge country but with a small population I think.... it’s landlocked.... no sea. Anyone been there?

As far as I'm aware Choi lives in Manchester.

Mongolia is the least densely populated country in the world apparently, 6 times the size of the UK and has a population of about 3 million.

[dookus]

As far as I'm aware Choi lives in Manchester.

Mongolia is the least densely populated country in the world apparently, 6 times the size of the UK and has a population of about 3 million.

Yeah I checked Wikipedia. Almost half the population live in the capital. Not much goes on really. A little tourism. Amazing that this country once ruled across Asia

Gigantic amounts of mining

[dookus]

Yeah Choi came over from Mongolia, I only noticed him when he beat Derry Mathews but he'd already been in the UK for 8 years.

I remember Choi did some hilarious callout songs to his rivals with a guitar just after the Prizefighter he won, wish I could find them

[My Name Is Earl]

Am I right in thinking Choi Tseevenpurev appeared out of nowhere then moved from Mongolia to somewhere in the north of England and just started battering all the British featherweights?

He was an interesting one, does anyone know more about him, or have anything to watch about him?

One hard bastard and well popular in Oldham/Manchester. Good ticket seller. Lived in a caravan in
his manager/trainers? back garden. I know Granada did a piece on him, maybe its on ytube.

Chilling ko of an unbeaten and highly touted Matthews.

[banjo]

Gigantic amounts of mining

Yeah but you know the people are not benefiting... it’ll be foreign countries and companies mining and stealing the resources

I watched an episode of that Grand Tour with the old Top Gear lads and they did an episode in Mongolia, dropped off in the middle and drove for a week before they saw anybody who wasn't part of the crew. Hundreds of thousands of square miles of unspoilt countryside.

[dookus]

Gigantic amounts of mining

Yeah but you know the people are not benefiting... it’ll be foreign countries and companies mining and stealing the resources

Most of it goes to China

[Delta Jay]

Am I right in thinking Choi Tseevenpurev appeared out of nowhere then moved from Mongolia to somewhere in the north of England and just started battering all the British featherweights?

He was an interesting one, does anyone know more about him, or have anything to watch about him?

One hard bastard and well popular in Oldham/Manchester. Good ticket seller. Lived in a caravan in
his manager/trainers? back garden. I know Granada did a piece on him, maybe its on ytube.

Chilling ko of an unbeaten and highly touted Matthews.

That’s why I was asking, because there’s just loads of crazy facts about him. He won prizefighter at 40 years old.

As far as Mongolia facts go, I know they’re in the process of changing which alphabet they use from Cyrillic. And they still have these ancient nomadic tribes who ride horses and hunt using eagles.

[Counter-puncher]

One hard bastard and well popular in Oldham/Manchester. Good ticket seller. Lived in a caravan in
his manager/trainers? back garden. I know Granada did a piece on him, maybe its on ytube.

Chilling ko of an unbeaten and highly touted Matthews.

That’s why I was asking, because there’s just loads of crazy facts about him. He won prizefighter at 40 years old.

As far as Mongolia facts go, I know they’re in the process of changing which alphabet they use from Cyrillic. And they still have these ancient nomadic tribes who ride horses and hunt using eagles.

in some turko-mongol (incl. kazakh/uzbekh etc) cultures they still continue the practise of literally stealing their brides right from their tents in another village