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Boxers from Leicester ?
Posted: 16 Nov 2008, 15:51
by mark thompson
Who would you guys say was the best boxer from or based in Leicester was ?
Re: Boxers from Leicester ?
Posted: 16 Nov 2008, 16:05
by salvador
Tony Sibson, followed by Chris Pyatt and Rendall Monroe. Not Kevin C sorry...
Re: Boxers from Leicester ?
Posted: 16 Nov 2008, 16:08
by mark thompson
I would say Pyatt over Sibson, and i want to see Munroe against some better opposition
Re: Boxers from Leicester ?
Posted: 16 Nov 2008, 16:15
by salvador
mark thompson wrote:I would say Pyatt over Sibson, and i want to see Munroe against some better opposition
I see where you're coming from. Pyatt may have actually won a version of the world middleweight title, but he did so by beating the rather disappointing unknown South African Mark Cameron, then lost it in his first defence to Steve Collins. The three times Sibson fought for a world title he was up against Marvin Hagler, Dennis Andries and Frank Tate. Sibson mixed it with a much higher calibre then Pyatt.
Re: Boxers from Leicester ?
Posted: 16 Nov 2008, 17:53
by el torro
pyatt actually won his world title against the world class sumbu kalambay. i would still agree with you though that tony sinson is the better of the two. the belgrave gym has produced a few decent champions down the years
Re: Boxers from Leicester ?
Posted: 17 Nov 2008, 06:29
by IronOne
Sibson for me, Munroe's coming along nicely
Re: Boxers from Leicester ?
Posted: 17 Nov 2008, 07:33
by black panther
Sibson, Pyatt, Munroe in that order I'd say. Pyatt could have topped the list were it not for his lack of discipline me thinks. Would be great if Munroe could fit in a good european title defense somewhere in Leicester.....Demontfort Hall perhaps?
Re: Boxers from Leicester ?
Posted: 17 Nov 2008, 07:44
by TerribleTerry
Whilst not the the class of the lads so far mentioned, Shaun Cummings wasnt a bad scrapper in his day - challenged for the British and European straps at one time or another
I believe that he is a paraplegic now though following a motor bike accident..
Re: Boxers from Leicester ?
Posted: 17 Nov 2008, 07:47
by JC
Not the best, but Len Wickwar has the most remakable record, 465 fights and well over 300 wins.
Re: Boxers from Leicester ?
Posted: 17 Nov 2008, 12:31
by bennie
Ben Foord was based in Leicester for a long while, a big, strapping South African heavyweight who took on the likes of Farr, Baer, Loughran and Schmeling.
Re: Boxers from Leicester ?
Posted: 17 Nov 2008, 13:44
by mark thompson
black panther wrote:Sibson, Pyatt, Munroe in that order I'd say. Pyatt could have topped the list were it not for his lack of discipline me thinks. Would be great if Munroe could fit in a good european title defense somewhere in Leicester.....Demontfort Hall perhaps?
i agree panther it would be nice to have a decent boxing card on in leicester with Munroe topping the bill, maybe DMH or Walkers stadium, anywhere other than the aylestone leisure center

Re: Boxers from Leicester ?
Posted: 17 Nov 2008, 13:53
by mark thompson
anyone remember the heavyweight Rocky Campbell ?
Re: Boxers from Leicester ?
Posted: 17 Nov 2008, 14:37
by el torro
mark thompson wrote:anyone remember the heavyweight Rocky Campbell ?
my mate works for leicester city council and was round rocky campbells council flat fixing his boiler a few months ago. he told him that he had KO'd an opponent faster than muhamed ali had beaten him. not sure who it as though
Re: Boxers from Leicester ?
Posted: 17 Nov 2008, 14:45
by Loynesy
el torro wrote:mark thompson wrote:anyone remember the heavyweight Rocky Campbell ?
my mate works for leicester city council and was round rocky campbells council flat fixing his boiler a few months ago. he told him that he had KO'd an opponent faster than muhamed ali had beaten him. not sure who it as though
Richard Dunne
Good trivia.
Re: Boxers from Leicester ?
Posted: 17 Nov 2008, 15:35
by salvador
I remember Neil Linford from Leicester was given a bit of hype when he turned pro, but he never made any great waves.
Re: Boxers from Leicester ?
Posted: 17 Nov 2008, 16:10
by bobmee
I spent time with the grand old Leicester manager George Biddles in the 1970s and he believed Len Wickwar (whom he managed) was much more talented than a fair few British champions of his day, including the one George managed, Pat Butler. George's story was serialised in Boxing News some time around 1978.
Tim Wood won an ABA title at heavyweight in 1972 and later was British light-heavyweight champion. Tony McKenzie was another champion. Both good fighters on their day.
The Fenton brothers were popular in the late 70s/early 80s and Doug Ralston could fight too, but Tony Sibson, on his day, was electrifying, one of the best fighters in the world. Chris Pyatt was clever, a polished box-fighter, but for some reason he couldn't draw big crowds. Sibson just had that indefinable quality that made people warm to him and want to watch him fight. I wrote his autobiography in the 1980s but it was never published.
Going back to the 1930s again, Larry Gains boxed out of Leicester at the time he beat Primo Carnera. He brought his parents over to live locally as well.
Re: Boxers from Leicester ?
Posted: 17 Nov 2008, 17:56
by SOUTHPAW
bobmee wrote:I spent time with the grand old Leicester manager George Biddles in the 1970s and he believed Len Wickwar (whom he managed) was much more talented than a fair few British champions of his day, including the one George managed, Pat Butler. George's story was serialised in Boxing News some time around 1978.
Tim Wood won an ABA title at heavyweight in 1972 and later was British light-heavyweight champion. Tony McKenzie was another champion. Both good fighters on their day.
The Fenton brothers were popular in the late 70s/early 80s and Doug Ralston could fight too, but Tony Sibson, on his day, was electrifying, one of the best fighters in the world. Chris Pyatt was clever, a polished box-fighter, but for some reason he couldn't draw big crowds. Sibson just had that indefinable quality that made people warm to him and want to watch him fight. I wrote his autobiography in the 1980s but it was never published.
thats not THE Bob Mee is it
Going back to the 1930s again, Larry Gains boxed out of Leicester at the time he beat Primo Carnera. He brought his parents over to live locally as well.
Re: Boxers from Leicester ?
Posted: 17 Nov 2008, 20:40
by el_grande_mauro_mina
Larry Gains was billed out of Leicester and he beat Primo Canera and Max Scmeling!
Sibbo was an excellent fighter though Pyatt was very good - I remember Pyatt
flooring twice and nearly stopping Gianfranco Rosi over in Italy only for Rosi to
outbox Pyatt for the next 11 rounds.
Re: Boxers from Leicester ?
Posted: 18 Nov 2008, 04:23
by bennie
mark thompson wrote:anyone remember the heavyweight Rocky Campbell ?
Muscled fellow, built like Bruno, Rocky pulled off a big win in Spain over Jose Urtain.
Ducked nobody.
Re: Boxers from Leicester ?
Posted: 18 Nov 2008, 10:19
by mark thompson
bennie wrote:mark thompson wrote:anyone remember the heavyweight Rocky Campbell ?
Muscled fellow, built like Bruno, Rocky pulled off a big win in Spain over Jose Urtain.
Ducked nobody.
did you ever get to see him fight ?
Re: Boxers from Leicester ?
Posted: 19 Nov 2008, 04:52
by bennie
Nope, 'fraid not. I'm sure Bob Mee would have seen him.
Re: Boxers from Leicester ?
Posted: 29 Jan 2009, 16:37
by offshore4ft
Hi guys, I've been searching for Tim Wood for quite a long time now. Only just came across this forum, does anyone know any more information on him or where I might be able to get hold of him? I know it seems a bit random but its really important!
Thanks in advance! :) x
Re: Boxers from Leicester ?
Posted: 30 Jan 2009, 05:44
by bennie
One or two others have been looking for Tim, to no avail.
Re: Boxers from Leicester ?
Posted: 30 Jan 2009, 07:10
by Old bones Ian
Comparing Pyatt and Sibson is a bit differcult, for me Pyatts prime was as a lightmiddle, Sibson was a full blown middle.
Both had good power, Pyatt had better all round boxing skills, but Sibson was better at pressuring and more strength.
out of the 2 , i prefer Pyatt, but loved watching Sibson as well.
Re: Boxers from Leicester ?
Posted: 09 Feb 2009, 20:51
by offshore4ft
bennie wrote:One or two others have been looking for Tim, to no avail.
Thanks, i got hold of him in the end
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