By Philip Sharkey
WITH ALL 300 tickets sold within hours of it being announced, the British Boxing Hall of Fame ceremony goes from strength to strength and is fast becoming the sport’s most prestigious event of its kind in the UK.
Founder and Chairman Dave Harris started proceedings inside the Bannatyne Hotel in Hastings by thanking his trustees, and particularly Paul Fairweather and Myka Wilshire, for all their help.
He told the crowd that Myka had travelled to the WBC. convention and met with President Mauricio Sulaiman, who, she says, showed a great deal of interest in the aims of Ringside Rest and Care, the charity that all the money raised from this event is going towards.
After a rousing rendition of the national anthem led by former WBC Champion John H. Stracey, the awards kicked off with John announcing the Pioneer (1880 onwards) award to Pontypridd-born Freddie Welsh, which was collected by his fellow Welshman, British and Commonwealth champion Eddie Avoth.
Another Welshman, Joe Calzaghe, seemed genuinely moved when he came up to receive the Posthumous Inductee award on behalf of his late father Enzo.
With so many accolades that Joe has collected over the years, supported by his son Joe Jr, he seemed visibly moved by this remembrance of his father’s amazing work, training fellow inductee Gavin Rees and so many other champions at his Newbridge gym.
Joe himself was inducted by trustee and former referee Wynford Jones.
Wynford told those in attendance that the two bouts of Joe’s he refereed were both first-round KOs!
Dave Harris, in his introduction, remarked that he had polled many leading boxing pundits to ask who was the greatest British boxer, and Joe was far and away the critics’ choice.
I had the pleasure of sitting with photographer Derek Rowe, a man who has seen all the greats up close from the 1950s, and he also agreed that the 46-0, three-time ABA champion (at three weights) and two-weight professional champion was indeed the best of British he had witnessed.
Other Modern Era gongs went to Colin MacMillan (presented by Barry McGuigan), Scott Welch (inducted by former Boxing News Editor and trustee Matt Christie) and Bradford’s Lonsdale Belt holder John Doherty, who was with his manager John Celebanski.
The Early Modern Era recipient was British featherweight champ Jimmy Revie.
Jimmy was given his award and certificate by amateur star Terry Waller, who reminded all there that they were both Schoolboy champions in the same year.
The 100 Plus Club trophy and certificate went to the popular show-saver Kevin McCauley.
Kevin captured the Midlands Area welterweight belt and, of his 251 opponents, 171 had unbeaten records when he fought them.
The amateur game was recognised, with Repton trainer Gary McCarthy and 1976 Olympic rep Dave Odwell putting their names on the roll of honour.
Gary White, Ken Walsh, Shane McGuigan and Sky Sports MC John McDonald were honoured with Lifetime Services trophies. John was presented with his by his old ringside snapper pal Derek Rowe.
Lifetime Service to Ex-Boxers Associations was given to Bob Cheeseman and Gary Parkin, Manager and Promoter. Hall of Fame inductees were Pat Barrett and Ben Shalom and, rounding off a fine evening, the Courage Award went to Rosemary Ellmore.
Rosemary spent many years looking after her cousin Terry Spinks, taking him to various functions up and down the country and brought along his gold medal from the Melbourne Olympics for attendees to admire and have a photo taken with, contributions going to the charity.
In 2026, the BBHOF moves to Tommy Burling and his team in Essex.
