In Summer 1905, Messrs May & Cyclops hosted a travelling boxing saloon tent in Blantyre. The business employed several “star” boxers who would take on local men for big prizemoney, usually generated by purse monies of the audiences. One such fight took place between Blantyre’s Joe Smith and one of the travellers, Mr. Pasha Liffey. […]
In 1906, Blantyre was gripped by boxing enthusiasm. This was no caused by visiting promoters who set up at grounds near Craighead (which would eventually become the speedway and later the EK Expressway at Lidl) On Monday 19th November 1906, an enormous boxing match took place which must have been of special interest to boxing […]
Heavy penalties were dished out in Hamilton Sheriff Court to several individuals at the end of April 1909, after they set up and participated in an illegal outdoor boxing event Blantyre. Standing in court was Daniel McGoldrick of Airdrie, John Boyle of Burnbank, Thomas Maxwell of Hamilton, Joseph Smith of High Blantyre and Thomas Connelly […]
Credit has to go to late historian, Jimmy Cornfield for the words in this article. Jimmy wrote much of this in February 2000 assisted by Helen McIntosh Gordon, David McIntosh and Arthur Grant (Snr and Jnr). Ian McIntosh was born in Blantyre in 1915 and was the eldest of 6 brothers who lived with his […]
A Blantyre boy has been crowned Scottish Intermediate Boxing Champion! Straight into Blantyre’s ‘Ultimate Hall of Fame’ and a mention in the “Blantyre People” forthcoming book. Jacob Naismith (11) lives in Blantyre and trains and fights with O’Neils Amateur Boxing Club in Cambuslang. In an exciting match, Jacob who weighs 35.5 kg was fighting in […]
I have a wee treat! Following the tribute posted earlier today, there’s a silent film on Pathe News, which features John’s gold winning boxing match in Australia’s Commonwealth Games. Filmed in 1962, it has now been colourised, and I’ve added sound effects and some music and edited it to 2 minutes. Courtesy of course to […]
Opponents may have first been taken aback by young Tommy Campbell’s lack of stature in this photo from 1979, but he soon put that completely right by going on and becoming Class A Western District and Scottish Youth Champion at Bantamweight. The slightly built 15 year old flew out to Canada in March 1979 […]