Give an example of never meet your heroes you'll only be disappointed

Sorry to hear about Jumbo. Hope he comes up OK. Yeah, I can imagine he'd be a handful !
All the Lawlers were a dangerous bunch. Not to be trifled with. James's lad went down for armed robbery a few years back. Rocky, (Ricardo), lives in Acocks Green these days and is still " Respected ". He's big pals with Pete Buckley.
I'm guessing you would have known Mark and Kevin Sperrin, Mickey Harkin and the Robinson Brothers.

 

I spent half my teenage years in that gym, I loved it. I'd get there straight from school to watch the pro's train and make myself useful carrying buckets, Rolling up hand wraps and sorting gloves then I'd get changed and train with the rest of the Amateurs.

 

There was a Carlos Christie that I remember, Middleweight. I think he came from Erdington or the Vale. Don't remember Rupert. He was after my time.

 

Yes I met the sperrins through jumbo and his son, I take it u heard what happened to Jumbo's son? Shame, had everything going for him. Yes, I lived in acocks myself, Lawler's are well known, I be honest though, jumbo was another level again, a tough tough man. Harkin, ginger haired fella ?? Another tough kid if it's the same fella, always locked up ??

 

Looks can be deceiving. Met Kov at a weight in. It was in AC and he couldnt have been nicer. Signed a fight advertisement sheet for me. Took a pic with me and spoke for a couple min. Talked to Buddy and Don Turner too. All were great.

 

Nice to hear that about Sean, he was very passionate wasn't he, not surprised he wouldn't take his cut. I could tell you stories about that man that would have you rolling around the floor laughing, I use to run rings round him with my opinions on fighters, he'd take it very personal if you didn't like a certain fighter. A good man to have behind you, and considered family with all in my dad's side and moms

 

Yeah, dreadful. Must have had a terrible effect on Jumbo. Harkin ? Ha ha ! Yeah, that's him.

 

That's great hearing this. There was a great vibe at that gym mate. I've got an old VHS vid from back then, 80's, it's when Frank took the lads to Drogheda in Ireland for a comp, swift jnrs on it Jimmy Lawler etc..I think it was called boxing is the hardest game, you might be on it mate, if your interested I could dig it out see if can get it copied/ transferred on to disc

 

Yeah. Sean loved Boxing and Boxers. When I worked on the Hiatt we'd talk nothing but Boxing. He always saw the good in Boxers and was never disrespectful about them. He's lose his s..t at some of the clowns who come on here slagging Fighters off.
Apparently before he met his wife he was a real handful.

 

Christ ! That was an England Their England documentary. I remember them making it. I wasn't featured in it because I didn't go on the trip but Peter Foster and Vince Bailey were. As you say, Young Wally was in it. I think you do see me in a scene shot in the gym.
Frank was slightly annoyed as Jason Mulholland's Dad elbowed his way into it when Frank just wanted the attention to be on the Fighters.
Blimey, if you could get that transferred on to disc I'll PM you my address or come over to Brum and pick it up. Beers on me obvs.

 

Sean when cornered was very handy the old man said, extremely street wise. A gentleman though. Very smooth with the ladies

 

Yes, his dad wanted centre stage, giving to much advice ?? If I remember right. Its in the loft at mother's, I'll be there the weekend mate, I'll get it. I spoke to Jimmy Lawler at a Joe egan do, years ago, I told him about it and he wanted a copy to as his best mate minty was in it an he had just died, you know him maybe from the gym..he never got back to me though

 

By the time I knew him Sean certainly didn't look smooth. With his features he may as well have had a neon sign over him saying Boxer ! Obviously had some good chat !

 

That's all he had haha for sure, didn't stop him thinking he was Marlon Brando with my aunties