BoxRec

Former Commonwealth games gold medallist and top English amateur Chris Bessey has taken command of the Army boxing team. I understand it operates on a three year cycle with Bessey taking over from Vinny Powell.

Know Chris quite well. I was good mates with his brother Billy (former ABA heavyweight champion who chose gambling and women over training). Both very sound lads. People gave Chris loads of stick for not turning pro but the above news sort of justifies his decision I reckon. Hope he does well. I may be wrong but I am sure he is an MBE as well.

TheGoods wrote:Know Chris quite well. I was good mates with his brother Billy (former ABA heavyweight champion who chose gambling and women over training). Both very sound lads. People gave Chris loads of stick for not turning pro but the above news sort of justifies his decision I reckon. Hope he does well. I may be wrong but I am sure he is an MBE as well.

Yes, he is an MBE. Great amateur, Bessey. He was desperately close to John Lyon's all-time record of eight ABA titles. I think Chris won six, and had to pull out of a seventh attempt with flu. I never thought anyone would ever get close to Lyon's record, but I was wrong.

I believe it was with bad hands that caused Bessey pulled out, it was the year that Matthew Thirlwall blazed to the 71 kilos title. I don't think Chris would've stood in Thirlwall's way like he did the previous year when he dropped and beat Thirlwall in the ABA final.

the goods - is that u my old mate decker b?

Thing is about Chris going pro it would of took years to convert his style and he didnt have years,he actually told me that him self