LETS K.O CANCER TOGETHER CHARITY EVENT 8th NOVEMBER When Justin Brooks discovered his 5 year old godson was suffering from a brain tumour, he set up Lets KO Cancer Together - one very special night taking place on November 8 which brings together some of Sheffields most famous boxing faces to raise money for the British Brain Tumour Trust. We spoke to some of the famous faces behind it - Naseem Hamed, Jonny Nelson, Kid Galahad and Herol Graham – to find out more. Supposing Sheffield boxing was to be made into a book - there’s no doubting who the first protagonist introduced would be. Few authors could even dream up a character like Prince Naseem Hamed. Exciting, infuriating and at times, utterly preposterous. Love him or hate him, you’d still buy a ticket to see the skinny Yemeni-lad who became a superstar with fifteen world title defences and displays of unforgettable showmanship along the way. Magic carpets, dance moves to Michael Jacksons Thriller, leopard print shorts and the somersault over the top ropes were all part of the act before the serious business of fighting started. The public persona of the southpaws arrogance was misplaced. Hamed says that he believed every word of what he said - and often proved it in the ring. Twenty years ago he was just preparing to fight for the European featherweight title, a traditional stepping stone before bigger honours, did he know then, aged 20, that he’d go on to such greatness? No... I thought at eleven I would go on to win five world titles, he smiles. Im just a Sheffield lad, from Wincobank and Im proud of that and where I come from. Im also Yemeni and Im proud of what I achieved for the country too. In a way, Im content that I put my stamp on the sport - but I probably did underachieve a little bit. People want to see knockouts. Bomber Graham had power, and that is shown on his record. He knocked people out - but I concussed them. A solitary points loss to Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera took the shine off his sparkling achievements - but time will reflect Naseem as one of Britains truly great fighters. Wins over top fighters like Kevin Kelley, Tom Johnson, Wayne McCullough and Vuyani Bungu did not come around by accident. He proved himself to be better than those at an elite level. From humble origins Hamed showed what can be achieved - but former stablemate Johnny Nelson believes that Hamed should be appreciated for what he was. Naz was a total one off and went on an amazing ride. Something that most of us could only ever dream about. He combined the defence and the offence. Then there was the character he created. Some people went to see him lose, some people went to see him win. We all did the flipping over the top ropes in the gym, and Im sure you’d be able to see where my feet hit the roof - but he was the only one with the bottle to actually do it in public. Additionally to this magna carta of Sheffield boxing, there’s a raft of talent in the supporting cast that have been nurtured mostly by Brendan Ingle - the Mr. Miyagi-like Irish-born trainer at the St.Thomas Boys club in Wincobank. He, along with his sons John and Dominic, helped to develop young lads into fighting men. Forging the new chapters currently are the fantastically named Ezekiel (Kell) Brook and Kid Galahad - destined too to become world champions. Their hunger for success comes from the perceived under achievements of those that came before. The youngest, Galahad, resembles Hamed the most. Also of Yemeni extraction, and who also has the self-confidence of an ace fighter pilot, he still admits to feeling the weight of expectation that comes with being a Sheffield starlet. Youve got to be the best of the best. In our gym youve got to achieve something that someone hasnt achieved already. You might be a world champion - but theres already been world champions here. You would have to become a multiple weight world champion. That would be the only way to stand out from all the rest. And that is what Galahad intends to do. The super-bantamweight is now British champion and going places on a promotional deal with Channel Five. Named after the boxer character in the Elvis Presley movie, the Kid has everything he needs to make it to Las Vegas on his own. He believes he will fill out into as big a fighter as a light-welterweight in time. Brook is with Sky, in an age where boxing lacks the big television funding, both are televised because they deserve to be. They are as marketable as they are talented. Brooks injuries may have cost him a world title shot this year - but a win over a former world champion, Vyacheslav Senchenko, who beat an ageing Ricky Hatton, will thrust him back into the spotlight. There’s another character that all Sheffield boxers pay homage to when they talk about the style in which they fight. Hands down and punching you as they step backwards. Middleweight Herol Bomber Graham won numerous titles domestically through the 80s and 90s. He, to some degree, invented the world-renowned style that every Ingle fighter now has. Some just pull it off better. Were all clones of the Bomber Graham style - with our own little bits added. I had enormous power and came in at angles. That was my thing, explains Hamed. Everybody used to box standing up straight, but I did this leaning back one day, and within a few weeks everybody was boxing that way and it was being applauded, adds Graham, universally recognised as the best British fighter to have never won a world title. Galahad switch-hits, a common trait out of the gym, he also pays tribute to Graham, who would often tie a hand behind his back and let your average punter try and land a punch on him. They never did. Graham was unbelievable. You couldnt hit him with a handful of rice! The stories Ive heard are unreal, says Galahad. They used to go into pubs and prisons with Brendan and not one person could ever hit him. Nelson, once a character himself, can now narrate from his media position for broadcasters Sky as both a pundit and a presenter. His own personal story reads differently from the rest. It took him 45 fights and numerous setbacks for him to eventually earn his world title - and although the aforementioned Hamed, Brook and Galahad seemed or are seemingly coasting there, he assures that their talents are not God or even Allah-given. I got my opportunity because I was drafted in as an opponent, not because they thought I would win. I was never given it on a plate and then, when youre there, you feel like you’ve truly deserved it. The masses will probably be able to relate to me more than Naz. Because Naz did something outstanding and amazing, it doesnt mean that its not attainable. When people see boxers, they see them talking. They dont see the years of graft that theyve gone through to get into the position that theyre in. Clinton Woods, Ryan Rhodes and Junior Witter were also involved at one stage or another and have helped to make Sheffield truly a boxing city. This book, of course, is still writing itself. The gym is packed full of starry-eyed kids hopeful of being the next one off of the prolific conveyer belt. The next generation will always learn from those that went before and now have the benefit of sports science behind them. The amount of world, British and European champions that they have turned out, not one gym in the country can compete with that, affirms Nelson.The formula works. Its just been champion after champion after champion. The mistakes have been made, theyve seen. The dedication thats needed, theyve seen. Its up to them now and how much they want it. All of the Sheffield boxers are set to attend the Let’s K.O Cancer Together charity evening held on the 8th of November in aid of the British Brain Tumour Trust from 8pm till midnight at Fitzwilliam and West - from where it will move over to The Genting Club from midnight till 5am. Sheffield DJs will also feature and there’ll be a raffle and auction taking place with signed gloves by the boxers. Its great that this charity has attached itself to boxing, said Nelson. In a way it kind of mirrors it. Fighters have to go through a certain way of lifestyle otherwise theyre going to get hurt. Its very fitting. It gives you a chance to meet a boxer. A lot of boxers are very reachable. They may see you on television - but when they meet you, you realise theyre just like you. Galahad added: Hes just five years old. He hasnt experienced anything. It makes us appreciate how lucky we are. Its very sad but hopefully we can do some good on the night and raise some money to go some way to helping beat cancer. Let’s K.O.Cancer Together. Fitzwilliam & West. November 8. Tickets: £10 - all proceeds go to the British Brain Tumour Trust. Tickets for the after party can be purchased at this event at £10 per ticket. all proceeds will be going to the chosen charity Below is a link to the KO after party facebook page. https://facebook/events/567324366672910/?fref=ts Party the night away with the fabulous Las Vagas afterparty at Gentings Casino. Bringing you the best in soulful house music with Dead Rose Music Company, Paul Wilthshire and Richard Williams. Special guest appearances from Kid Galahad Kel Brook , Johnny Nelson and Herol ‘Bomber’ Graham. Ink Dance co will be making an appearance with live dance on stage. This event is for the Brain Tumour trust. Ticket price is £10 they can be purchased from Fitzwilliam & west upon arrival at this venue (all proceeds also going to charity)or Pay On The Door Party all night with the stars whilst you drink in the company of our lovely LA show girls and dancers. Raffle prizes with be given away at this event. For all other enquires message Justin at [email protected] WIN 4 TICKETS TO THIS EVENT BY SIMPLY LIKING AND SHARING THIS POST. SHOW YOUR SUPPORT TOWARDS KO CANCER!
Posted on: Wed, 06 Nov 2013 18:44:21 +0000