Great stuff, he was a great lad! I was lucky enough to meet him and share a couple pints with him on a couple of occasions, a lovely man!
Thanks for that,Al.Also saw him on TV against Don Johnson,who was a top rated contender.It was over here and I think Winstone was robbed.Doesnt happen in the UK very often nowadays.Also against another top ten man Rafiu King.Howard off the floor to win clearly,which confirms what we already know about him.Didnt see him against Floyd Robertson,who became champ AFTER Howard beat him.Beat Johnson clearly in return ,and got the decision.Carl Froch wasnt the first to go on a roll. Bet thats a few beers youll never forget,Al Rest in Peace,Howard.
Brilliant.Remember Don as a tough ,clever world class boxer.No disrespect saying thought he lost first time.Interesting to read about the Australian connection,bringing back a few memories,will look at his record now.Howard,Alan Rudkin,Lionel Rose,Walter mcGowan.Twelve months ago had to be dragged kicking and screaming to get a computer.Glad i did now as im learning some stuff i never would otherwise.All the best to all.
As an addition,Al,am I right in saying your dad gave both Lionel Rose and a Japanese champion really close fights for the world title?Iremember him boxing Walter McGowan.Nothing in that one either,all terrific boxers.Think theres some great ones around today,but got a soft spot for the old heroes.
I messed that up Ted, Alan Rudkin is my dad. Don Johnson was dad's sparring partner for the Rose fight.
Yes Fighting Harada was the Japanese champ, that's him in the avatar with me dad. Anyway, welcome to the forum Ted.
Probably me,mate.Got it after reading it again.As to what i said before,looked up your dads record,as you know but i didnt he and Walter won one apiece,and the Japanese champ was Fighting Harada.Remember him knocking out American contender Ronnie Jones then saying he didnt think he had it in him.Modest,because he always looked like a puncher to me.
Thanks for that Al.Regarding the Jones fight,think your dad said that tongue in cheek.A bit of scouse humour.Cheers.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTWWIaAqgfQ[/ame] Funny enough Ted, there was talk of me dad or Walter fighting Howard in 66 or 67, shows how highly McGowan, a flyweight was thought of to be considered for a fight with Winstone, one of the top feathers of the time. Eddie Thomas was quoted as saying that Howard would slap both their arses in the same night. . Me, me dad and Howard jnr were talking about it a couple of years back after more than a few of pints. Howard said, "I'm glad you didn't fight each other cos you were mates, you wouldn't of fought me dad would you Al". Me dad said, "If the money was right"!