Hugh Kelly was born 27th June 1961 and enters the Blantyre history books as a notable boxer. At 5’ 9”, fighting in the featherweight/lightweight category, Hugh ‘Sugar’ Kelly made trained at Blantyre Miner’s Welfare and made his professional debut on 30th January 1984 winning on points against Mickey Lerwell at the Normandy Hotel, Glasgow. Several Professional bouts followed where he made 5 knockouts. One of these most notable on 14th May 1984, as it entered the Guinness Book of Records as the fastest professional boxing knockout at just 11 seconds….which included the 10 second count!!
His unfortunate opponent was Englishman, Steve Cooke of Southend. As Cooke lay on the floor in the ring, it was said to be the fastest knockout in Britain for 62 years! It happened like this.
Cooke launched himself across the ring at the opening bell. Kelly looked up and threw a short left hook to the chin. Referee Len Mullen’s Count to 10 was merely a formality as the opponent lay there. The Guinness Book of Records gives the fastest knockout in Britain as 11 seconds when Jack Cain beat Harry Dreamer in 1922. Managed by Eddie Coakley, Hugh hurt his back shortly after forcing him to step back from the ring for a time.
Now retired from the ring, Hugh still has an avid interest in all things relating to boxing. He is now married with children and of course extremely proud of his pro boxing career.