Age Concern Dorchester - Dorset's Living Memories

Boxing in Bridport

Brian Richards writes...

I grew up in the Bridport area and attended Bridport General School for the whole of my school life. As the boys grew older they held some unofficial boxing matches in the school playground, at which I excelled.

As a young man I hoped to introduce other boys to the sport, and a Mr. Slaney, a former boxer from London agreed to help me start a boxing club, and to act as the trainer.  The club first met in the King’s Head, a Bridport pub. At the outset there were 5 members.
As the club grew, the premises moved to the Youth Centre, the then Territorial Army Hall.

 In addition to regular training, the club put on two matches per year, known as “Dinner Shows” with crowds 400 strong. There were 15 to 18 bouts, with professional judges, and a doctor was always in attendance.  Jack Symes and I ran the club which is now 40-strong, and travels all over the country to fight in boxing matches.

I had to retire in 2008 through ill-health, and received an award for my services. I am realistic about the youth of today and say: “You teach youngsters to box, but when a woman appears, they’re gone!”