R.I.P Alan Rudkin (MBE)

This is very sad news. I recently did an interview with Alan and have to say he was a brilliant character and a thoroughly fascinating man and a great servant to British boxing. My condolences go out to all of his family.

 

Would love to read that mate :good

 

So sad to hear of Alans passing...he was one of the first fighters I saw when I first got into the fight game during the 60s...a proper pocket warrior in a golden age for bantamweight boxing...in any other era he would undoubtedly have been a world titlist (not just a strap holder). The epic battles with Clark and McGowan will live long in the memory of old fight fans and should be compulsory viewing for newer fans of the sport. It may be of some little consolation to ALFrancis at this time to know that his dad will be sadly missed by fight fans around the world...Gods speed Alan

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R.I.P Alan .

 

It was supposed to be going in next months BM but in light of these circumstances i doubt it will be published.

I literally could have sat and listened to him talk boxing all day

 

Did Alan talk about fighting Lionel Rose in the interview Wrimc ? I watch that fight from time to time , how ballsy was it of him to face a legend like Lionel Rose in his back yard and lose by the width of a *** paper, what a warrior ? , God bless him .

 

RIP to a great champion and my deepest condolences to his family.

 

Just write a new opening and closing. Touch on the circumstances surrounding the interview.

I think that will make it even more worthy of inclusion :good

 

At least he died never having to watch the Olivares fight again Al Jr has been tracking it down for some time, but said his Old Man wasn't too eager to watch it again :rofl Class act, his resume shows that, and all accounts of him outside the ring point to that as well.

A massive loss, I'm still reeling. Think I'll watch his fight with Rose again, now that is a close fight, between two of the best operators of all time in their weight class. Rudkin had a bit of everything, with the grit to put it all together. The 2nd fight with Walter McGowan is a domestic classic between two greats! I've not seen it but supposedly
the first fight should've been Rudkins too IIRC.

 

R.I.P Alan

Sad news.

 

RIP Alan.

 

You have to say Rudkin wasn't afraid to fight anybody anywhere Olivares record was something like 53-0 (49) going into his fight with Rudkin.

Apparently before the fight a policeman came into Rudkins changing rooms just as he was about to make his ring entrance and informed them they had arrested a man with a gun wandering the corridors. Al jr said they never knew whether it was true or a ruse by the Olivares camp to try and unnerve Rudkin. Talk about walking into the lions den!

 

Rudkins level of opposition is frightening.

Considering he gave a top 40 fighter in Harada a bloody good argument, and arguably deserved the nod against ATG Lionel Rose, there can be no doubt of the mans ability. This was the era of one World title let's not forget, Rudkin deserves massive praise for his achievments. As I say, he wasn't outstanding in any one area IMO, but he was bloody good in all areas. His ability to shift pace and vary his attack when his opponent tried to do the same marked him out as a canny operator IMO. Harada couldn't get into full Kamikaze mode against Rudkin, who was strong as a tiny Bull I don't think the 1st round KD was legitimate either.

As you pointed out, the loss to Olivares almost looks like a blemish, but there aren't many greats I picked to do any better :deal Just ask Lionel Rose, who lasted a round longer.

As others have said, the Rose fight was close too. These fights are of much more worth than some of our fighters who have held meaningless ABC straps.

 

He had to beat two former world titlists just to win the British title! As you say his level of opposition is frighteningly good and to hold your own in that kind of company he deserves massive credit but probably doesnt receive as much as he should because he never won the title.

I hope people do recognise his achievements he was a throwback even back then he loved boxing. When we spoke he said he would have liked to have fought in the era of a fight every 2 weeks and 20-30 rounders

 

Haven't seen any footage of the guy but the fact that he is spoke of in such glowing terms by the true boxing hardcore fans on the forum suggest that he was a terrific fighter and by all accounts a tremendous man as well.

RIP.