A look back at all-action Andy Holligan

By Simon Euan-Smith

I WAS delighted to hear from member Rob Benson that Brighton EBA’s Summer Barbecue was very well attended – and there were several visitors from other Associations. It’s vital that EBAs support one another in this way – these events take a lot of organising (in this instance by the BEBA committee, with extra help from Harry Scott) and it’s so disheartening if the support isn’t there.

Leeds EBA President Allan Richardson was there, and he brought along his amateur medals – including his Commonwealth bronze from 1970 (as a pro, of course, Allan won the British featherweight title). Vince Campbell and his partner, Lorraine, also came down by train – it’s a long way, and this time there were several delays.

But they made the effort, and it was very much appreciated – and Vince was delighted to meet Croydon EBA member Trevor Cattouse, and discover that he had challenged Tom Collins for the British light-heavyweight title (at the Leeds Astoria in May 1982 – and Collins won in four rounds). The reason Vince was so pleased was that he used to promote Collins, and Tom used to train in his cellar.

Other attendees included John Conteh (who “did a great job on the auction,” Rob said), Home Counties EBA Chairman Bob Williams, Michael Watson, Derek Williams, Scott Welch and Tommy Welch, Ross Minter, Paul Fairweather, Guy Williamson, Ronnie Davies and Mo Prior.

Well done to everyone who made it such a success.

The current Scottish EBA newsletter includes a photo of late Secretary Janice Craig, and a heartfelt tribute from SEBA Vice-Chairman Philip Martin, who describes Janice as “truly irreplaceable.” This is true, of course – but it’s equally true, as Philip says, that “we should now try to continue her legacy as best we can.” When someone who has done so much is no longer there, it leaves a tremendous void – but it’s vital that someone steps up to the plate and carries on the good work.  The latest SEBA newsletter is well up to the usual high standard.

There’s a fascinating article on Norrie Sweeney, now 89, who has been awarded a star on the Buddie Walk of Fame in Paisley (described as “Paisley’s answer to Hollywood Boulevard”).

It was always Norrie’s ambition to have his own gym, and in 1962 he won £1,000 on ITV’s Double Your Money (how many of us remember that?). That money enabled him to do that, and things just went from strength to strength.

His daughter, Kay, said proudly: “The amount of his boxers that have messaged to say nobody’s more deserving: lots of them say ‘he was like a second dad to me’ … Some of them were off the rails and my dad helped to get them on the right track and they’ll admit that. They’d say ‘if it wasn’t for him I’d be in jail or maybe I wouldn’t be alive.’ So many of them have said that he literally saved their life.”

Congratulations to Norrie – and to so many others who willingly give up their time to run these clubs and help so many to do something worthwhile with their lives. Boxing often gets a bad press – sometimes, sadly, with good reason. But the amount of good it can do is tremendous.

The current Mug’s Alley – the Merseyside Former Boxers’ Association newsletter – includes a write-up by ex-pro Robbie Robinson on Andy Holligan, who turned pro after winning the ABA light-welterweight title in 1987 and won 27 of 30 contests, 19 inside the distance. 

He won the British and Commonwealth super-lightweight titles, and a Lonsdale Belt outright – but unbeaten WBC champion Julio Cesar Chavez was too much, and after a brave effort Andy retired after five rounds. Two fights later he was halted in three by Ross Hale, to lose his titles – but Hale lost the titles to Paul ‘Scrap Iron’ Ryan, and Andy halted Ryan in a round to become champion again. That’s boxing.