By Clive Bernath: As you can imagine the British Buzz receives hundreds of letters and correspondence each week from our ever increasing and loyal readers. And of course it is not always possible to reply to all though I do my best to answer every letter. I felt though it appropriate to share one particular letter I received earlier this week from one of our readers.
The letter below explains all and needs no introduction
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Dear Mr. Bernath.
My name is Claire Bland. I am 25 years of age and I am a blind boxing fan from Sheffield.
Mainly, I follow the career of Francis Barrett and that is the reason, I am writing this email.
Francis was the first Traveller to represent Ireland in the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. Where, he carried the flag for Ireland. His story leading up to the Olympics and what he achieved was an inspiration to me. It inspired me enough to put Braille to paper and write a song, called Atlanta.
I'd always wanted to go and see Francis box and meet him too. I finally got an opportunity in June this year when Francis fought in Nottingham for the EU light welter title against Gavin Down. It was fantastic to get to meet Francis at last. After the win at Nottingham, Francis, myself and Luigi Leo (Francis's trainer from Trojan Boxing Club) all kept in contact.
Luigi (Lui) told me that Francis would be boxing at the Wembley Conference Centre on November 12, I wanted to go down and see him box again. I asked my friend Julie, if she'd like to come down with me. The Train, hotel and tickets were booked and on Friday morning Myself, Julie and my Guide Dog Gaynor left Sheffield on the train for London. I'd like to say Thank you to Lui, Francis and Francis's wonderful family for making this weekend in Wembley absolutely fantastic! Not only did Francis successfully defend his Title against the tough Alan Bosworth but, I was lucky enough to eventually meet Lui, go out for a meal with Francis, his wife Kathleen and family and then see Francis again before returning back to Sheffield. What an absolute delight!
Once a fortnight, on a Friday afternoon from 1 while 2, I have a voluntary radio show called, "Folk at the Drum". It's a folk music programme but, instead of trying to get interviews with bands, I have a boxing slot. I am currently planning to interview Lui and Francis for the show. I have also been in contact with Brendan Ingle so, hopefully some of his boxers will be on the show too. The show is broadcast on www.sheffieldlive.org.uk Thank you for taking the time to read this message.
Yours faithfully,
Claire Bland.
Beighton,
Sheffield
Boxing often receives a bad press from the non boxing media and in some cases is justified but rarely do they acknowledge all the good work fighting men and their management teams do outside of the ring. Francis Barrett and Luigi Leo are a credit to British boxing and typical of the many boxing people up and down the country that work tirelessly away from the public eye and the publicity to accommodate others.
Well done Claire for banging the boxing drum up there in Sheffield. Keep up the good work and make sure you get all those Ingle boys on your show?
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Talking of all the good work the boxing fraternity participate in, former world champions Steve Collins and Paul 'Silky' Jones are appealing to all members of the boxing trade to attend a fundraising dinner for former British and European middleweight title challenger Shaun Cummins. The Leicester fighter was paralysed in a motor cycle accident earlier this year.
Speaking in today's addition of trade paper Boxing News Jones said: " We want to put something on in February 2005 but it all depends on the response we get from people in the trade."
Cummins was an exciting fringe domestic title contender in the early 1990's. Anyone that would like to contact Jones to offer their services can reach him on 08707 581414.
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Scottish promoter Tommy Gilmour held his monthly dinner show at the St Andrews Sporting Club in Glasgow on November 15 with the following results.
Featherweight: Gary Davis w pts 6 Furhan Rafiq
Welterweight: Craig Dixon w pts 8 Tony Montana
Light-middleweight: Ali Mateen w pts 6 Keith Elwood
Light-welterweight: Mike Reid w pts 6 Willie Valentine
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The BBC will show highlights of the world light-middleweight title rematch between champion Ronald 'Winky' Wright' and Shane Mosley on Sunday (Nov 21) evening. Check local listings for times.
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(Presser) Junior Witter has responded with indignation to suggestions on a rival boxing website that Floyd Mayweather Junior will face either Lovemore N'dou, Stevie Johnston or Muhammad Abdulaev on his upcoming HBO date.
"Floyd is letting himself down by considering opponents of this calibre," insists Witter.
"I don't like to say I told you so, but I predicted he might when, earlier this month, I offered to step up and face him on January 22nd.
"He is also letting down fight fans and HBO; I am surprised they are even considering showing him against one of these three.
"Lovemore N'dou is nothing but a solid yet limited loser; he has been beaten in two of his last five fights.
"Stevie Johnston is a blown up lightweight who hasn't fought for a year since he got put down three times and stopped.
"And as for Muhammad Abdulaev, well you can go to sleep on his record it is so padded. Plus Emmanuel Clottey knocked him out four fights ago.
"I am just not sure how someone who considers himself one of the best pound for pound fighters even thinks about fights like this.
"Especially when I have thrown my hat in the ring."
Witter added: "It seems that Floyd has suddenly turned a bit shy. I know for a fact he heard my challenge to him, but it seems he is even scared to look in my direction.
"It's obvious to me that he doesn't want to risk a big pay-day against Gatti by getting in the ring with a European champion who has taken out his last fifteen opponents.
"He knows I can knock him out.
"But that isn't the mark of a true champion, it's the mark of someone who doubts their own ability."
Witter of course is entitled to his opinion but the fact is that all three opponents mentioned are tough durable men and more importantly known to American fight audiences for being just that. Unfortunately the only memory HBO and the knowledgeable American fight fan has of the classy Bradford switch hitter is his back peddling points defeated against Zab Judah four years ago.
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Evans Waterman promote an open show at the Bracknell Leisure Centre in Berkshire this Sunday afternoon. Jamie Hearn tops the seven fight card when he faces Tommy Cannon in a non title eight rounder.
Local ticket sellers Chris McDonagh and Neil Jarmolinski face Peter Buckley and John Paul Temple respectively while former ABA heavyweight champion Billy Bessey also appears. So too does 2003 ABA finalist Gareth Couch, who is making his professional debut.
For tickets and further information call Jim Evans on 016286 23640.
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