Michael Watson steals the show at the 7th annual British Former Boxers Hall of Fame ceremony, with our intrepid editor, Matt Christie, also included.
The seventh British Former Boxers Hall of Fame took place on Sunday (September 17) inside a packed conventional hall at the Thistle Hotel in Heathrow.
It would be unfair to single out any member, each deserving and lovable, but Michael Watson, the former Commonwealth middleweight champion left damaged by the sport after his 1991 loss to Chris Eubank, shone brightest.
“You are a hero to all of us, one who gave boxing his all during his career,” said BN editor Matt Christie, introducing the 57-year-old. “Even better than that, you continue to give it your all to boxing.”
Watson became a household name almost overnight when he knocked out Nigel Benn in six rounds in 1989. A subsequent opportunity against Mike McCallum ended in a gutsy loss before two fateful fights with Eubank. He lost the first in a controversial points decision before being stopped in the last round of a dramatic sequel.
He endured more than a year of intensive care and rehabilitation during which he was told he would never walk again. In 2003 she completed the London Marathon after walking in the morning and in the afternoon for six consecutive days.
Watson is a passionate supporter of the Ringside Charitable Trust and frequently goes to great lengths to support a charity that continues to be ignored by the industry’s top power brokers, those who continue to benefit from a sport that was made better as a result of Watson. injuries
“I will never forget this,” Watson said, moments after an impressive display of shadow boxing. “Being here and accepting this award is very special. It means as much to me as the day I stood before the Queen in 2004. [to receive MBE].”
Watson, who later cheered when the great Dennie Mancini was posthumously inducted into the Manager category, was joined in the Modern Era category by Jimmy Batten, Herol Graham, Johnny Nelson and George Groves. Each one was present.
“Well, this is amazing considering I was a piece of shit,” Nelson joked. “I was trash. I lost my first three amateur fights and then my first three professional fights. He would later pay tribute to his trainer and mentor, Brendan Ingle.
Groves was quick to thank his amateur trainers, while Graham drew laughs when he said: “About time. I have been waiting for this for a long time.”
Johnny Greaves, the charismatic journeyman who retired in 2013 after his 100th fight, was inducted into the 100 Plus Club category. “People look at my record, see I’ve lost 96 times and think I can’t fight,” Greaves told BN. “But the people in boxing knew what they were doing. I’ve been through a lot in my life, I suffered from depression when I was younger and then boxing came along. Saved my life. I will never forget seeing my name on Boxing News for the first time. Wow, that was a moment.”
Peter Fury and a remarkably lean Billy Nelson, who guided Ricky Burns from obscurity to multiple sanctioning body titles, were inducted into the Pro Trainer category. “I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the accomplishments and loyalty of the fighters I’ve been fortunate enough to train,” said Fury, who received his award from his son, Hughie Fury. Later, Nelson bowed out in class wishing Hughie the best in his upcoming fight with Michael Hunter.
The inimitable Gerry Storey MBE was unable to attend due to ill health, but was nonetheless inducted into the Amateur Trainer category alongside Billy Schwer Snr, who, in one of the highlights of the day, was introduced in typically moving fashion by his son, Billy Schwer. .
Tommy Gilmour MBE became the sixth promoter to be inducted since the Hall of Fame began in 2015. He followed Barry Hearn, Frank Warren, Eddie Hearn, Jack Solomons and Mick Hennessy. The great Jock McAvoy was remembered when his granddaughter spoke fondly before his induction into the Pioneer category.
There were five members in the Lifetime Services to Boxing category: Alan Parr, Barry Penny, Simon Euan-Smith, Matt Christie and Bob Williams. Veteran scribe Parr, the Leicester EBA secretary, was in top form and Penny, the savior of Croydon EBA, braved ill health to take the stage. The induction of Boxing News’ own Euan-Smith was timely, just after he celebrated 50 years on the beat.
“I will be 73 in a few days,” Euan-Smith said. “So it is unlikely that he will cover boxing for another 50 years. But I intend to be covering boxing and supporting boxing and the EBA movement for as long as I can because it truly is a wonderful sport.”
BN’s Christie paid tribute to the boxers during her induction speech. “Compared to them, and without them, I am nothing,” she said. “But being with them, in the Hall of Fame, is the greatest honor of my life.”
Bob Williams was without a doubt the busiest of all the members. The former and current professional lead umpire is also the chairman of the Home Counties EBA, which hosted this year’s event. Alongside Kymberly Taylor, Chas Taylor and Mo Prior, he worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the day ran smoothly. He was also the MC, expertly overseeing every auction and induction except his own.
On stage he talked about the impossible job he has as a referee in the spotlight and then, behind the scenes, he revealed that he would return to his day job as a firefighter on Monday morning. Williams is every inch a Hall of Famer.
Dave Harris, the founder and president of the Hall of Fame, was on hand and in good voice when he spoke about the Ringside Charitable Trust and its crusade for attention.
The 2023 ceremony will be hosted by Vince Campbell’s Leeds EBA.
