Boxing News — January 11, 2018

MANY readers will know the name of

Charlie Mitchell, who challenged for

the world heavyweight title under both

London Prize Ring and Queensberry rules.

Mitchell was a long-time resident of

Brighton and Hove, and Robbie Benson

contacted me to say that he and fellow

Brighton EBA member Tommy Mellis

recently had his grave cleaned and

renovated in Hove Cemetery, where he is

buried with his son. “We felt that his grave

needed tending as a mark of respect to

one of the greats of English boxing.”

Robbie went on to quote from

Mitchell’s obituary in the Brighton Herald,

which described Charlie as “well-known

locally, having spent a great deal of his

time in Brighton since his retirement from

the ring.” He certainly does deserve to be

commemorated, so well done to Robbie

and Tommy for taking the initiative.

Brighton’s Christmas party last month

was highly successful and very well

supported, despite the bad weather.

Croydon Chairman Barry Penny made

the trip down, together with President

Bill Caswell and Vice-President Dave

McCarthy, and Barry confirmed it was

a great day – “very good atmosphere,

very friendly.” Home Counties Chairman

Bob Williams also came all the way from

St Albans.

Secretary Jane Davison told me

that several personalities from local

amateur clubs also came. Brighton City

ABC always has a Christmas collection,

and this year, boosted by what the

Brighton Argus described as a “generous

donation” from Brighton EBA, presents

and Christmas dinners were provided

for 35 underprivileged families from the

Brighton and Hove area. Well done to

everyone concerned, and both these

stories provide further examples of

an EBA doing something not just for

themselves, but for boxing in general and

also their local community.

Ipswich EBA are keen supporters of

their local amateurs, and last month

some of their members attended the

annual Harwich BC show – “which we

always look forward to with anticipation,”

secretary Erik Roper said. “The event

didn’t disappoint, with 16 evenly

contested bouts.”

Erik praised the organisational and

match-making skills of the Harwich Elite

Head Coach, Martin Webb, “who never

fails to deliver. His club is very well-run,

and the fighters that he produces are fine

ring technicians.

“We have supported his club for some

years, and proudly sponsor a club trophy

COVETED LONSDALE BELT:

Sollas Jnr, pictured with the British feather strap

44 lBOXING NEWSlJANUARY 11, 2018 http://www.boxingnewsonline.net

Photos: LARRY BRAYSHER

YESTERDAY’S HEROES

Simon

Euan-Smith

EBA

correspondent

TAKE A BOW

Some exceptional

work over the

festive period

from the EBAs