East End's boxers get �50,000 grant to record their history

EAST End boxing has been given a �50,000 boost with a grant to help tell the story of the sport from 1891 to 1990. Boxers from clubs in London s East End have clinched an array of British, Olympic and world titles and the story of their efforts has also

By Julia Gregory

BOXING gets a �50,000 boost in London’s East End with a grant to help tell the 100-year story of the Fight Game from 1890 to 1990.

Boxers have clinched an array of British, Olympic and world titles and the story of their efforts has also been one of social integration.

Cash from the Heritage Lottery Fund is paying for the London Ex-Boxers’ Club to put together an online archive of photographs, programmes and other boxing memorabilia.

It will feature venues including Bethnal Green’s famous York Hall, recording the 15 former boxers or people closely associated with the sport, including Manor Park’s Ronnie Cooper, who boxed for Britain at the 1948 London Olympics at Wembley, Terry Spinks from Canning Town who won a Gold for Britain at the 1956 Rome Olympics, and Sammy McCarthy from Stepney who is a former British Featherweight champion.

Eastside Community Heritage is helping the research. An exhibition of pictures and other archive material is also planned at the Hackney Museum.