I agree the book was excellent. Heartbreaking what happened to Errol. I´ve heard some say that weight problems (no Super-middle division at the time), spent too long as an amateur, beatings he took whilst training at the Kronk were some of the reasons for him never winning a title. Don´t know except he was a terrific fighter to watch with real power. His fights with Mark Kaylor, Chalie Boston, Jose Quinones and Andy Wright were spectacular. He had a string of impressive looking knockouts, terrific amateur career (won 10 titles) yet never even fought for a professional title. Never smoked but died of lung cancer which he believed came from the smoky halls when he fought as an amateur. Real shame.
Mark Kaylor was brilliant. His fight with Roy Gumbs (another warrior) was terrific. Cameback from morale destroying loss to future champ Buster Drayton to give Tony Sibson a good fight before Christie. Gave his all against Herol Graham but Herol was at his peak, rebounded again to move up to light-heavy and give Tom Collins (arguably the hardest one punch puncher I´ve ever seen in Britain) a war before finishing at super-middleweight in another war against James Cook. Mark just couldn´t win that EBU title. 5 chances. Probably be fighting for World titles in today´s boxing world
Terribly sad what happened to Errol. Think he stayed amateur too long, and the Kronk gym wars aged him early, but what a talent. Kaylor a gritty hard hitting warrior, that was just a level below the very best, but seriously, what a privilege to see them , especially all for free! They both I think regretted the build up, and made up later on. Loved Tom Collins, proper old school light heavy, absolute missile of a right hand he had. Great post.
