Tribute to boxing's top snapper

By Phil Ravitz

FOR more than two decades, the name of Les Clark has been synonymous with the sport of boxing.

A regular presence at ringside all over the country, Les' photographic skills and sharp eye have produced pictures that have graced newspapers and magazines.

That includes East London Newspapers, the parent company of the East London Advertiser, here in the borough that is regarded as the heart of boxing.

His pictures graced our titles until last year, when ill health struck and Les was required to have a leg amputated.

The news of this incapacity came as a terrible shock to all who knew him but in recent months the boxing fraternity have rallied around.

The sport came together at a special benefit dinner for Les at the Cafe Royal on Friday night.

Promoters Jim Evans and Robert Waterman hosted the evening at which former British heavyweight champion Michael Sprott, and ex-heavyweight contender Wayne Llewellyn were among the guests.

The pick of four boxing bouts was a rousing light-middleweight contest between East London's Duncan Cottier and Paul Porter of Dunstable in Bedfordshire.

Cottier was down in the opening 30 seconds, but battled back to win four of the six rounds. Referee Jeff Hinds could not separate the boxers and rightly awarded a draw.

In the opening bout, Buckinghamshire-based Polish boxer Michael Bambula looked impressive in running up a 40 points to 36 win over Doncaster's James Tucker.

Jack Morris, from Margate, was also a comprehensive winner over Ricky Strike, from Rotherham, while the final contest ended when Portsmouth fighter Lloyd Smith was stopped in the third round by Mark McCullough of High Wycombe.