Dave Charnley - a year on.
Posted: 30 Mar 2013, 06:47
I'm just remembering Dave who died a year ago this month.
I was speaking to ex-pro, top class amateur and Chairman of the Leicester ex-boxers, Mick Greaves this week at the Tony Sibson book signing, and he said that in his opinion Charnley was the BEST British boxer at any weight since the second world war! That's his opinion granted, but he's in a very good position to make that comment.
He said that Dave had a split personality. Outside the ring he was the nicest, quietest and most polite person, but inside the ring something came over him. Mick remembers when he was based in London under Sam Burns, Charnley was preparing for his second tilt at the world title when he was asked to go over to the Thomas a'Beckett for a sparring session. Dave's manager offerred Mick £5 a round ,but told him he's get £15 even if he only sparred 1 round. Mick got warmed up, got the gloves on and stepped into the centre of the ring. He reached out with both hands to 'touch gloves' and Dave caught him flush on the side of the jaw with a left hook which burst the inside of his mouth eventually requiring stitches to close the injury. Charnley carried on with the sparring session as if nothing had happened. After it was all over Dave approached Mick and with great sincerity asked him why he'd stuck his gloves out !!!!!
I was speaking to ex-pro, top class amateur and Chairman of the Leicester ex-boxers, Mick Greaves this week at the Tony Sibson book signing, and he said that in his opinion Charnley was the BEST British boxer at any weight since the second world war! That's his opinion granted, but he's in a very good position to make that comment.
He said that Dave had a split personality. Outside the ring he was the nicest, quietest and most polite person, but inside the ring something came over him. Mick remembers when he was based in London under Sam Burns, Charnley was preparing for his second tilt at the world title when he was asked to go over to the Thomas a'Beckett for a sparring session. Dave's manager offerred Mick £5 a round ,but told him he's get £15 even if he only sparred 1 round. Mick got warmed up, got the gloves on and stepped into the centre of the ring. He reached out with both hands to 'touch gloves' and Dave caught him flush on the side of the jaw with a left hook which burst the inside of his mouth eventually requiring stitches to close the injury. Charnley carried on with the sparring session as if nothing had happened. After it was all over Dave approached Mick and with great sincerity asked him why he'd stuck his gloves out !!!!!
charnley was a good 'un and carried a hell of a whack. how we miss him. we'll chat about the man at next weekends london ex-boxers meeting i'm sure.