BoxRec

Has anyone else ever been to any of the boxing shows there?

Mickey Steeds boxed there before going 'pro', Dominic Negus has fought several times there, as has former kickboxing champion Shane Stanton.

Been to a couple of shows run by the same people down at the casino rooms in Medway(owned by the same fella that owns the tavern)
Negus was in a couple of fighters corners.
Couple of my mates fought there(ex-pro's)
The majority of the fights involving the local fighters were complete mismatches.Both of the lads I know won in the first round,one with the first punch!

Is that where Sky have the darts?

yep

Where can you get into these fights?

I've been there a couple of times to watch the darts in the late 1990s. Great evenings out. It's a sod to get to the Circus Tavern with public transport as I remember. I stayed at a farmhouse in North Ockendon, which is a few miles away.

its unlicenced boxing that i presume you are speaking about.

unlicensed but not illegal, as i understand it - its certainly no barrier to a proper boxing career - mickey steeds being exhibit A.


Yeah it is a sod to get to but i live 2 miles down the road and dont drink, so its a piece of piss far as im concerned lol

im well served for boxing, i live between the tavern and goresbrook

E - tickets on the door, but the adverts are usually local posters and signs outside the tavern itself. best seats are the thirty quid ones, as the ring is level with them

E wrote:Where can you get into these fights?

The Door!

Dan Downer, a guy I know from Broadstairs (I live in Ramsgate) won the IBA unlicensed light cruiserweight title at the Circus Tavern the last time there was a show there.

He's head of English at my old secondary school and having a ball in the unlicensed game by the sounds of it.

Did this interview with him before he won it in style by sparking his opponent in the first round:

From the Kentish Saturday Observer, November 26, 2006

IN 1994, former world heavyweight champion George Foreman reclaimed the heavyweight title he lost to Muhammad Ali in the legendary ‘Rumble in the Jungle’
in Zaire in 1974.
At 45, the ‘Punching Preacher’ became the oldest-ever world champion. It is a feat that is unlikely to be repeated and “the sport that other sports aspire to” as Foreman once said of boxing, is generally considered a young man’s game.
But in Broadstairs, 40-year-old Dan Downer is ‘doing a Foreman’ and turning back the clock and instead of hanging up his gloves, is about to embark on the biggest challenge of his boxing career.
On December 8, Downer will top the bill at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet, Essex, when he challenges for the unlicensed IBO cruiserweight championship.
But this fighter is not your usual boxing cliché – that of a gnarly old pro, down on his luck and chasing past glories, with a paltry purse thrown in for good measure.
Quite the opposite. Downer is bright, articulate, and the recently-appointed head of English at Hereson Secondary school in Ramsgate – maybe the ‘Punching Teacher’ would look good emblazoned on the back of his dressing gown.
Speaking to him a few days after West Ham’s 40-plus striker was turning back the years against Blackburn – maybe he could be called the Teddy Sheringham of the ring?
“It may sound odd” says Downer, “but I can honestly say I am better fighter now than when boxed as an amateur.”
A line spun by many deluded ex-fighters you may think, but Downer talks with real conviction of how he feels revived at an age when many fighters go back to the fountain of youth only to find it has dried up.
“In my last year as an amateur I fought at welterweight” he explains. “It was ridiculous. I didn’t eat for the last two days before I boxed in in the Southern Counties championships as I tried to make 10st7lbs.”
He lost and then time ran out. The final bell for an amateur boxer rings as soon as they turn 35, but Downer was still in love with the sport.
Penning boxing articles for his local newspaper didn’t surpress his appetite so much as fuel it.
Unable to return to the amateur ranks, and at an age when the likes of boxing impressario allegedly aren’t going to be hammering at your door in their hunt for the boxing’s next big thing, Downer’s only hope was to turned to the unlicensed ranks.
So he did and started to rack up the wins.
“I didn’t have to make weight and consequently I found my strength” he explains. “I fight at around 12st9lbs and not having to make weight means I’m so much stronger. Plus, I didn’t have a long career in the pros so I’m relatively fresh.”
And he’s not done bad. Currently the unlicensed British light heavyweight
champion, Downer has a record of 22 fights, 20 wins. “And about 12 knockouts I think,” he adds. “In fact, I’m a bigger puncher than when I was younger and body-punching is my strong point.”
But what of the inherent danger that faces all fighters, especially when you are taking punches at 40 – plus in the murky world of the unlicensed game, which has not had a good press down the years.
“To be fair, the unlicensed game has made a concerted effort to clean up its act,” says Downer. “We have proper referees and at every show there is a doctor, paramedics and ambulance at the venue in case a fighter is injured.”
“The only difference between unlicensed shows and a professional show is that it’s
not sanctioned by the British Boxing Board of Control.
“I’m managed by Peter DeFreitas, who managed Nigel Benn. He’s an old friend who was looking to get back into boxing. He’s been brilliant and hasn’t taken a penny from me. He helps me and I’m helping him to get a foot back in the door.”
While Downer agrees there is still the usual wheeling and dealing in the unlicensed ranks – this is boxing, after all – he says the fighters have begun to get a better deal.
“I know a guy who cleared four grand for fighting four two-minute rounds. That’s unheard of even in the pro ranks unless you’re a prodigy like Amir Khan.”
“Managers and trainers are turning to
unlicensed boxing because allegedly has the pro game sewn up and the TV deals. The money’s not there so they’re having to look elsewhere.”
Downer trains six days a week, dividing his time between gyms in Ramsgate and London, travelling to the capital twice a week where he trains under the watchful eye of professional trainer Terry Steward.
“Terry’s knows the game inside out,” says Downer. “He helps me with pad work and technique.”
Standing in the opposite corner from Downer in Deccember will be Wayne Chisholm from Essex. Both boxers have been on collision course for a couple of years says Downer.
“I’ve been calling him out for a fight for some time. It’s a good puncher v boxer match-up.
“The fight has been made at 13st3lb and that suits me. I’m looking forwards to it and quite like boxing bigger men. I use my speed to outwit them.
“It’s going to be tough but I think I’ll be too skillful for him. That’s what my manager and trainer say too but maybe that’s just pschycology – talking me up to get me into that winning frame of mind that is vital to a boxer.”
So although fighting fit at 40, if Downer wins the title, what next?
“I’m under no disillusions about how tough and dangerous this sport is ,” he says, “but I put the time in the gym and I’m still enjoying it.
“I’ve not earnt much but If I can clear a couple of grand for this fight I’ll be well chuffed. And if I win I’d like to make a couple of defences and get out. It’s fun, but it is bloody hard work.”

m1kee50 wrote:
E - tickets on the door, but the adverts are usually local posters and signs outside the tavern itself. best seats are the thirty quid ones, as the ring is level with them

Thanks mate - but I was wondering how you actually get to fight on these?

Not now, as I am still an amateur, but wouldn't mind a crack after I hand my card in.......

well, as dan downers mate would probably tell you (dans a pleasant fella, spoke to him a couple of times), theres a little whiff of underworld around the taverns boxing, so that is one route, if you know anyone

the website (some say IBO, some say IBA) as far as i know, is defunct, you might be better off going down there on fight night, speaking to the main man, Mr Alan M (I dont do names sorry!), or a ref, fighter, or cornerman.

I'm not being funny, but it aint really the kind of group of people i would wander round asking questions of tho, best try and spot someone you know, or who you have a mutual friend with.

Mr Steve Holdsworth does the compering (tho you did NOT hear that from me lol), so if you know him or see him at another show you can ask him.

I will ask a man i know, and if i get a sensible answer, i will stick it on here

m1kee50 wrote:well, as dan downers mate would probably tell you (dans a pleasant fella, spoke to him a couple of times), theres a little whiff of underworld around the taverns boxing, so that is one route, if you know anyone

the website (some say IBO, some say IBA) as far as i know, is defunct, you might be better off going down there on fight night, speaking to the main man, Mr Alan M (I dont do names sorry!), or a ref, fighter, or cornerman.

I'm not being funny, but it aint really the kind of group of people i would wander round asking questions of tho, best try and spot someone you know, or who you have a mutual friend with.

Mr Steve Holdsworth does the compering (tho you did NOT hear that from me lol), so if you know him or see him at another show you can ask him.

I will ask a man i know, and if i get a sensible answer, i will stick it on here

Cheers - ....might ask him at some point

There's a bill scheduled at the Circus Tavern for the 2nd of March. Went past there the other day and noticed a billboard advertising it. I think it is Alan Mortlock who promotes it there. He used to promote the unlicensed shows at the Epping Forest Country Club years ago until it changed hands. Never been to any of these shows (not my scene), but I met him once with his missus when he viewed the property I was selling. Got chatting to him briefly about boxing when he noticed a few trophies I had hanging around my spare room. I had heard the name before but didn't know the extent of his involvement on that circuit. Seemed a nice enough fella though at fface value.

It shouldn't be too hard to get yourself involved on that circuit I would have thought. Just go to a show and talk to one of the cornermen or fighters.

thats the feller.

No it would not be hard - im just saying that its not its not the place to start wandering about with ones mouth open lol.

A friend of mine apporached him at a show at the casino in Rochester.Explained that he had done a bit of amateur boxing and fancied his chances in the unlicensed game.Few months later he fought up in Enfield on one of his bills.
Apparently he has a ton of fighters,so matching you does'nt seem like it would be a problem.
Good luck