I was saddened to learn yesterday of the death at 61 of former Midland Area Heavyweight Champion Al Malcolm from Birmingham. Al is probably best known by most Boxing fans as Lennox Lewis' first professional opponent. He was also in the opposite corner in Gary Mason's debut when he came close to causing a major upset, rocking Gary and opening a nasty cut with a big right before getting caught himself. Despite compiling an unremarkable 12-19-2 record, Al had some very good wins. 1986 was his best year when he knocked out Olympic bronze medallist Bobby Wells followed by former ABA Finalist Ali Forbes going on to win the Midland Title in a gruelling contest against Ian Priest, drawing with future British Title challenger Jess Harding and flying to Germany to KO prospect Thomas Classen. I knew Al from the Birmingham City Gym where he trained with Paddy and Tommy Lynch's stable. He was a quietly spoken, dignified and generous man who was a wonderful example to the young Boxers he went on to coach in retirement. RIP Champ.
Not someone im hugely familiar with I enjoyed reading that and will do some research on him I love stories like this and you have done a great write up on the man RiP
Was he the fella that had the doors mate ? I think I seen him (if I remember right) with Keenan at the gym years ago, he was giving a spar to a man who was one of his door men, the same doorman was renowned for being the top/ hardest or one of them in brum. Rugby player called Paul, he wanted Sean to train him for the British title. That was put to bed rapidly after Malcom layed him out in the spar. RIP Edit: it was Al Stevens. not Malcom
A very nice tribute. Malcolm was always a name on the domestic Heavyweight scene in the mid/late 80s. If you were a prospect and could get one over Al, you knew you were going places in this game. I am sorry to hear this, 61 is too young now a days...
Whatever happened to Al Stevens? He had a load of doors at one time (back in the late eighties it seemed that every other lad in the city was working for him) then disappeared. RIP Al Malcolm; I didn't know him personally but never heard a bad word about him.
