|
Charlie Wright [left] & Paul Fairweather [right]
from the LEBA comittee |
I have been a member of the London Ex Boxers
Association (LEBA) for over ten years. Through
LEBA, I have met hundreds of boxers from the
past and present, all of whom congregate on the
first Sunday of every month. Since joining this
fabulous organisation, I have rarely missed a
monthly meeting. It puts me in mind of going to
church, and indeed, miracles happen there all
the time. Our current meeting place is the
Litten Tree Pub in Old Street and the meetings
start at 11.00 am.
Here is an excerpt from Sweet Fighting Man,
which describes my first impressions of LEBA
from all those years ago
(© Sweet Fighting Man, by Melanie Lloyd):
“The thing is with LEBA is that, although a
strong element of chaos never fails to abound,
at the same time so much is achieved. Not only
do they look after their own, but they also
maintain strong links with other Ex-Boxers
Associations all over the country, many of whom
visit the London version on a regular basis for
a good old fashioned knees-up. LEBA also does a
lot of work for charities and a month does not
go by when these fabulous stalwarts of the
pugilistic world do not help somebody somewhere.
There is no class system at LEBA. Old booth
fighters and World champions proudly rub
powerful shoulders, and it’s not just for the
golden oldies. It was at LEBA that I first met
Colin Dunne and Alan Minter, and Spencer Oliver
is also a member. During my time there I get so
many hugs and kisses that I have to re-apply my
lipstick several times! The LEBA motto is ‘It’s
nice to belong,’ and that’s a sure thing. It’s
brilliant and I would not miss it for the
world.” |
|
Ross
Minter [left] and Bobby Neil [right] |
Myself [left] and Joe Somerville [right] |
Myself [left] and Dennis Pinching [right] |
