By Steve Bunce
I recently discussed the remarkable Johnny Owen, who will be portrayed in a new film depicting the boxer’s tragically short life and horrific demise.
His final fight against Lupe Pintor, a Mexican boxer, is widely known among boxing enthusiasts for its brutality and tragic outcome. This unforgettable event occurred in the neighborhood of Little Mexico in Los Angeles, specifically at the Olympic venue, where 10,000 spectators passionately demanded bloodshed and an ultimate sacrifice.
Owen’s fight for the British title at a private club in London’s West End brought up a discussion about its location. The question asked was, “Why was it held there?” It’s a valid inquiry, and the answer is far from straightforward.
In 1977, a significant event took place at the National Sporting Club, located in the Cafe Royal near Piccadilly. Owen emerged victorious against Paddy Maguire, thereby securing the British bantamweight title. This marked Maguire’s initial defense after defeating Dave Needham to claim the title at the World Sporting Club situated within Grosvenor House on Park Lane. It’s quite astonishing to witness the shift from grand, well-attended fights in proper arenas to a more secretive and silent atmosphere.
It was evident that Owen didn’t have a significant following during that stage of his career, so it made financial sense for an unknown youngster from Merthyr Tydfil to compete at a private club. Unfortunately, Owen never received the appropriate compensation for his skills. After two more fights without a title at the NSC, Owen ventured overseas and suffered a defeat in the European title match. It’s puzzling to me how Owen ended up facing Wally Anglis and Dave Smith in private matches, as both of them had a strong fan base. The limited security at the NSC must have had a challenging time keeping Wally’s supporters out.
In June of 1978, Owen emerged victorious over Smith in a highly anticipated match held at the Cafe Royal. The main event, attended by a fortunate few hundred bow-tied spectators who managed to secure tickets, showcased Jim Watt in his 40th fight. Surprisingly, merely ten months later, Watt went on to secure the WBC lightweight title. This sequence of events may appear perplexing and outdated, as it does not align with the modern era and seems implausible for the 1970s.
Back in 1993, I found myself in need of renting a kilt in order to attend a world title fight featuring Paul Weir. However, my access was limited to a camera position at Tommy Gilmour’s St. Andrews Sporting Club in Glasgow. It was like stepping into the past. Weir made his entrance accompanied by his sword-wielding Braveheart crew, creating a stark contrast to the refined gentlemen present at the club. Interestingly, there were no women in sight, except for Weir’s warriors who did sport kilts.
In the late Sixties and Seventies, a vast array of exceptional fighters and renowned individuals in the world of closed-door fights can be found. The list seems infinite once you delve into it.
In 1968, Chris Finnegan, fresh off his gold medal win at the Mexico Olympics, made his professional boxing debut at the Hilton Hotel in Park Lane, which was home to the Anglo-American Sporting Club. The story gets even more interesting, or perhaps stranger, depending on your perspective. In 1971, just a short distance away from the AASC on Park Lane, Finnegan fought Eddie Avoth for the British light-heavyweight title at the World Sporting Club inside the Grosvenor House. The grueling match lasted until the 15th and final round, resulting in Finnegan becoming the champion. If that fight were to happen today, it would likely take place at the O2 arena and be completely sold out. It’s astonishing to think about how boxing managed to survive during the tumultuous Seventies. The British Boxing Board of Control even imposed a ban on live television broadcasts of fights. It’s almost unbelievable the chaos that ensued. British boxers were consistently taken advantage of in Europe, often being sold off to the highest bidder once they became world champions. The biggest names in the sport seemed to disappear behind locked doors. However, despite all the madness, there were still a dozen national newspaper boxing correspondents who tirelessly covered the sport and kept it alive. It truly is a testament to the resilience and passion surrounding boxing.
The night prior to Jose Legra’s defense of his European featherweight title against Jimmy Revie at the AASC in the Hilton on Park Lane, Finnegan and Avoth occurred. Legra, a renowned fighter in our history, had his 130th fight against Revie, and eventually, in his 141st fight, he would triumph as the WBC featherweight champion. Legra, the Cuban king, is truly exceptional.
In the Seventies, Revie suffered a loss on points to Legra, and later relinquished his British featherweight title to Evan Armstrong at the exclusive male-only club, WSC, situated in Grosvenor House on Park Lane. If I had worn my velvet penguin suit during those times, it would have certainly taken a beating.
During the Seventies, the most exceptional British fighters engaged in secretive battles. John Conteh had his initial and subsequent fights at the NSC and WSC venues respectively. Nonetheless, Charlie Magri and John H. Stracey were so immensely popular that the cartel, consisting of Mickey Duff, Terry Lawless, Jarvis Astaire, and Mike Barrett, couldn’t afford to keep them hidden. Stracey and Magri, together, managed to sell tickets for an impressive 65 fights at the Royal Albert Hall and Wembley. It is important to note that these two Eastenders were not merely entertaining a select few gentlemen in formal attire, puffing on cigars while observing in silence. They were a tremendous hit at the box office. As for the rest, they were simply part of a conventional business setup.
On this upcoming Friday, the British bantamweight title match between Chris Bourke and Ashley Lane will take place at the packed York Hall. This event holds significance as it is the same title that was once held by Owen, Maguire, and Needham. The trio would surely be pleased that the fight for their previous championship is not occurring without an audience. Instead, it will be broadcasted live on television, allowing anyone to watch by purchasing a ticket for 40 quid. Undeniably, this signifies a noticeable shift from the past.
