BoxRec

been reading a bit about the Liverpool fight scene from the past the mcateers,conteh etc,came across this fellow called alan rudkin,id`e never heard of him before,but he fought three world bantamweight title fights,how does anyone remember and rate him

the excellent alan rudkin mixed with the very best banty's and feather's in the world from the late 60's until he retired in about 1972. very exciting but also highly skilled Liverpool boy who had hard luck over his career, coming very close against the superb lionel rose which was probably his best showing. his first go at the world crown had been against the very tough "fighting" harada in japan in 1966 which he lost in a close match - his final tilt was a big gamble against ruben Olivares which he was never going to win over on the west coast of the states - lost in 2 rounds. no real decisive thunder in his armoury was his big drawback. however he didn't deteriorate too much over time and was still the best of a very good set of british smaller guys despite his loss to jimmy revie. he even beat my favourite of the time, Walworth's finest the wonderful johnny clark in one of the greatest fights ever seen in a british ring.
I remember when Liverpool were playing in the FA cup final one year in the early 70's (probably against Newcastle) and ITV had gathered well known scousers and geordies in their london studios pre-match to argue about the likely result of the game. it got nicely heated, shall we say, but alan rudkin and his big Liverpool mouth won the day - no one dared take on the leary little bastard. I had and still have much respect for rudkin who - as you can tell from the response to your thread - is almost totally forgotten and yet is worthy of consideration when talking about the best british fighters over the last 50 years. needless to say he'd make a tidy packet in today's game.
another thing I remember is an interview with alan by harry carpenter (by satellite!) - rudkin was getting ready for the Olivares fight in America and even at the age of 10 I could tell he sounded nervous. at the end of the chat I looked at my dad and we both knew that alan wasn't going to be world champ.

he died too young - god rest his soul

Alan Rudkin actually boxed on the first PPV in Britain back in January 1966.....against Mexican Felipe Gonzalez

Think it was an experimental PPV event and something like 2,500 homes watched it.

Aran Ludkin as he's known in Japan, of course.

very skilled boxer, loose and fluid and very easy on the eye

doug.ie wrote:Alan Rudkin actually boxed on the first PPV in Britain back in January 1966.....against Mexican Felipe Gonzalez

Think it was an experimental PPV event and something like 2,500 homes watched it.

Say what now?

Good and very talented British boxer of the 1960s era. Became British and European Bantamweight Champion. His style reminds me of Ken Buchanan. He was around at the wrong time fighting perhaps three champions that I consider top 25 bantamweights ever: Fighting Harada, Lionel Rose and Ruben Olivares.

Man, it was very hard to be world champion in those days!

elmersalsa wrote:Good and very talented British boxer of the 1960s era. Became British and European Bantamweight Champion. His style reminds me of Ken Buchanan. He was around at the wrong time fighting perhaps three champions that I consider top 25 bantamweights ever: Fighting Harada, Lionel Rose and Ruben Olivares.

Man, it was very hard to be world champion in those days!

Thats right ''elmersalsa'' Rudkin could fight i'v watched him and one of my all time favourite's in Lionel Rose on tape and I think one judge gave it a shutout to Rose that was laughable because it was much much closer then a shutout.

Rudkin replied, when asked if Lionel Rose was the biggest bantam he'd ever fought..."no, he's the biggest featherweight I've ever fought"

bollocks wrote:Rudkin replied, when asked if Lionel Rose was the biggest bantam he'd ever fought..."no, he's the biggest featherweight I've ever fought"

Lionel Rose was a hell of a fighter. He outboxed the great Fighting Harada outright. After the loss by knockout to the great Ruben Olivares, his career went downhill.

elmersalsa wrote:

bollocks wrote:Rudkin replied, when asked if Lionel Rose was the biggest bantam he'd ever fought..."no, he's the biggest featherweight I've ever fought"

Lionel Rose was a hell of a fighter. He outboxed the great Fighting Harada outright. After the loss by knockout to the great Ruben Olivares, his career went downhill.

He did ok for a guy born in a tin shack in the middle of nowhere. p s like a lot of Aboriginal fighters, Lionel peaked pretty young and his prime didn't last too long

davie wrote:

doug.ie wrote:Alan Rudkin actually boxed on the first PPV in Britain back in January 1966.....against Mexican Felipe Gonzalez

Think it was an experimental PPV event and something like 2,500 homes watched it.

Say what now?

Seriously though

Whatchu talkin bout