If Alan Rudkin had beaten Fighting Harada...

I was talking to Colin Jones in Cardiff and he said to me, your old fella is the best British fighter to never win the world title, I said "and you Colin". He said if Frank ****** had me dad now he'd have every title going. He was very well respected by other fighters me dad. Ken Buchanan told our kid that he watched me dad when he was a kid, he was mesmerised by his style, I could tell you loads of other things but just to say he was respected by his peers which meant something to him.
I think that a lot of people on the British forum just don't follow boxing history that much and me dad is just a bit before their time, apart from a couple of fellas.
You see some fellas say but he didn't win a World title. They are just used to seeing fellas winning ABC titles from never to be heard of again fighters or big names with their best years behind them and think that counts as the same thing. Me dad had to fight 3 great champs all at their peaks with an average age of 21.

 

Well done for bringing my tangent into reality with the usual cracking anecdote.

Buchanan has a book out by the way it seems. And while we're here there appears to be a book about Gaspar Ortega and the opponents he fought in the classic TV fights coming out.

 

I know about the Buchanan book, good timing with the Duran film coming out isn't it. I'll look out for the Ortega book, have you read Willie Pep's Fridays heroes?
There is a biography on my dad in progress now.

 

No I haven't read the Pep one! Worth a read?

 

Nope.

 

Definitely.

 

Just seen this thread has been renewed.Very interesting to me as its when my interest started.Admit to being a bit of a dinosaur but I find myself looking back with fondness,maybe,to the days you're talking about.They were pre Alphabet and although the organisations started to make champions defend,in those days,they defended anyway.Probably because they needed the money.People like Als Dad,McGowan{who I considered on a par}Winstone and Charnley couldn't look round to see who was the easiest one to go against.They had to fight the best,and if it wasn't for the title it'd probably be some Latin or American in the top 10 in a 10 rounder.This doesn't seem to happen anymore.Probably a good thing for the boxers,but IMO all these would be champions today,definitely.

 

PS yes,I know McGowan was champ.Had terrible luck defending,for me was winning all but for the cuts.Two debatable decisions against Rudkin,a long way from home.Winstone and Charnley against 2 all time greats IMO.

 

Oh yeh for sure, I agree with you here compltely.

Your Dad was always one of them solid technicians, never did anything fancy but everything he did do had a meaning and a purpose.

And its the fact your Dad fought arguably 3 of the best Bantamweights ever, and they were in form, you probably hear it alot, but obviosuly you must be proud. Harada had out-boxed the great Jofre, Rose had compltely outboxed Harada and then Olivars obliterated Rose. Genuinly is there 3 champions in sucession that could hav been a harder ask?

I'll probably watch the fight again this weekend now.

 

It's good to see you back on here Greg!

 

Moved back in with the folks so have 24-7 internet now.

Hows it been going pal?

 

All going well Greg and you, you still boxing?

 

Good to hear.

Aye, only had the one bout this season though which is disappointing, basically due to weight issues and me being a bit of an idiot, chasing lassies and good times. Lost it as well, weight drained to ****, but lost to a good guy like.

But last weekend some guy just punched me out the blue and put my teeth through my lips so thats me out for the rest of the season now. Really disappointed as was just getting my weight undr control again and getting fit. Boy hits me out of nowhere and finishes my season, so frustrating, but I guess I shouldnt have been drinking that night. But it gives me a chance to work on techniqu and fitness and build myself into a strong MW now.

 

Bad news that, you'll just have to keep yourself in shape.

 

Aye I know that! Hard when you have nothing to aim for though.