free boxing ring
Posted: 15 Jul 2005, 09:10
THE boxing ring where Edinburgh-born world champion Ken Buchanan threw his first punch is being given away for free - to save it from the scrap heap.
Boxing chiefs had offered to donate the ring to the Museum of Scotland in Chambers Street to be displayed along with other famous pieces of sporting memorabilia.
But the museum was forced to rule out the move because it doesn't have enough room.
Now Sparta Amateur Boxing Club - which needs to dispose of the 14sq ft ring before moving to its new premises - plans to give it away free to any boxing club which can't find funding for its own facilities.
Sparta's George Forsyth said: "The museum told us they were unable to take the ring for their sport history section as they just had nowhere to put it.
"Instead, staff from the museum are coming today to photograph the ring so the pictures can be added to their boxing exhibit.
"We're disappointed they couldn't take the whole thing but delighted it will still be documented as part of sporting history."
The museum already boasts Scotland's first ever Olympic boxing medal, won by Hugh Roddin from Musselburgh, and the Lonsdale championship belt won by Leith featherweight James "Tancy" Lee in 1918.
The Sparta ring is where Buchanan threw his first punch in 1953, aged seven, and learned the skills
which won him the British, European and undisputed world lightweight championships at various times between 1968 and 1972.
Buchanan was voted Britain's greatest-ever boxer in 1978 and has a place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York.
The boxing ring was also used by other famous Capital fighters, including ex-British featherweight champion Bobby Neill and Alex Arthur.
Mr Forsyth added: "We're looking for a boxing or sports club which needs a ring and can't get the funding. We'll hand over the ring free of charge and it should be ideal for their needs.
"It's very important to us that the ring is kept in one piece and it would be good to see it used again by young fighters.
"The club has modified the ropes to fit modern specifications. Rings nowadays have four ropes instead of three."
"Once we leave for our new home the ring will be left behind for the bulldozers. That would be a tragedy."
A National Museums of Scotland spokeswoman said: "We were unfortunately unable to take the boxing ring because of its size, but we are planning to document it for our archives through photographic and written records.
"We were grateful to be given the opportunity to record its significance and hope that it finds a good alternative home."
The Sparta club was saved from extinction after a new home was found for its 40 fighters in a former Lothian Buses depot.
Founded in McDonald Road in 1945 by ex-Scottish middleweight fighter Jimmy Robertson, its members will move to a replacement venue in nearby Shrubhill.
The club had failed to find the £185,000 needed to purchase the title deeds for its original site.
The rescue was devised by concerned supporters, including city planning chief Trevor Davies.
Boxing chiefs had offered to donate the ring to the Museum of Scotland in Chambers Street to be displayed along with other famous pieces of sporting memorabilia.
But the museum was forced to rule out the move because it doesn't have enough room.
Now Sparta Amateur Boxing Club - which needs to dispose of the 14sq ft ring before moving to its new premises - plans to give it away free to any boxing club which can't find funding for its own facilities.
Sparta's George Forsyth said: "The museum told us they were unable to take the ring for their sport history section as they just had nowhere to put it.
"Instead, staff from the museum are coming today to photograph the ring so the pictures can be added to their boxing exhibit.
"We're disappointed they couldn't take the whole thing but delighted it will still be documented as part of sporting history."
The museum already boasts Scotland's first ever Olympic boxing medal, won by Hugh Roddin from Musselburgh, and the Lonsdale championship belt won by Leith featherweight James "Tancy" Lee in 1918.
The Sparta ring is where Buchanan threw his first punch in 1953, aged seven, and learned the skills
which won him the British, European and undisputed world lightweight championships at various times between 1968 and 1972.
Buchanan was voted Britain's greatest-ever boxer in 1978 and has a place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York.
The boxing ring was also used by other famous Capital fighters, including ex-British featherweight champion Bobby Neill and Alex Arthur.
Mr Forsyth added: "We're looking for a boxing or sports club which needs a ring and can't get the funding. We'll hand over the ring free of charge and it should be ideal for their needs.
"It's very important to us that the ring is kept in one piece and it would be good to see it used again by young fighters.
"The club has modified the ropes to fit modern specifications. Rings nowadays have four ropes instead of three."
"Once we leave for our new home the ring will be left behind for the bulldozers. That would be a tragedy."
A National Museums of Scotland spokeswoman said: "We were unfortunately unable to take the boxing ring because of its size, but we are planning to document it for our archives through photographic and written records.
"We were grateful to be given the opportunity to record its significance and hope that it finds a good alternative home."
The Sparta club was saved from extinction after a new home was found for its 40 fighters in a former Lothian Buses depot.
Founded in McDonald Road in 1945 by ex-Scottish middleweight fighter Jimmy Robertson, its members will move to a replacement venue in nearby Shrubhill.
The club had failed to find the £185,000 needed to purchase the title deeds for its original site.
The rescue was devised by concerned supporters, including city planning chief Trevor Davies.