A boxing club set up in the wake of WWII by a former army commando has marked its 75th anniversary.
Liverpool Golden Gloves Boxing Club (GGB) started life in 1947 on Admiral Street, L8, where the police station now stands, taking its name from the famous Golden Gloves Gym, in Chicago. It was the brain child of Duggie Pomford, a commando veteran from Toxteth, who spent time in America after being demobbed in 1946.
Club members and guests attended a special event at The Bentley in the city centre on Sunday, July 9, to mark GGB's landmark anniversary.
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Manager and trainer of GGB Wayne Smith told the ECHO: "Our club is a special place. Whether you're here to box or here for the family environment. Everyone who's been involved, coached, boxed who's been at the Golden Gloves in all these years.
"I’ve been involved in the club since the age of 10 and now I’m 55. I’ve not stayed all that time. There are a lot of people not with us and passed away, so this night is for them and everyone else”.
Duggie Pomford was one of the founding members of the Special Boat Service and was picked to fight in the elite commando service after only six months in the army. During WWII he was involved in some of the conflict's most dangerous missions and for his heroics was one of the most highly decorated soldiers of his branch.
Demobbed in 1946, he spent some time in the USA where he visited the famous Golden Gloves gym, which was established in the 1920s by Arch Ward, a sports editor for the Chicago Tribune. Returning to Liverpool, he founded the first GGB in the heart of L8.
The gym still prides itself as being probably the most multicultural gym in the UK, and now sits at the top of Lodge Lane in Toxteth.
GGB coach Carl Smith added: "It's a privilege when I’m in the gym I’m helping Wayne and more of an amateur coach in the gym, helping the younger generation come up. The front men of the club now, Marcel, Hakeem and another kid who has just signed who's very good, Safi, he's having his first fight in September and they're all doing well".
Guests at the event, which had been delayed for 12 months while the club found a venue suitable for the celebrations, included Marcel Braithwaite, WBC International Silver Super Flyweight Champion (2022) and Commonwealth Super flyweight Champion (2023). Also in attendance were rising stars: Hakeem Palmer, 22 and Rio Pierre, 19 with the event hosted by Kirk Smith, ex GGB coach.
There were video tributes from ex GGB members including Anthony Fowler and Joe Harper. Ex GGB member Ronnie Robinson, now living in Australia said: "1975, Robbie Davies and I both reached the ABA finals at Wembley that year.
“I made my England debut later in 1975 with two wins in Stuttgart, Germany going on to represent England 11 times while with the Golden Gloves. I’m so proud to see how the club flourished and thrived.
“Thank you to all the coaches and committee for their dedication and commitment in maintaining the ongoing success of my great club. Sorry I can’t be there for the 75th anniversary celebrations, but I’ll do my best to make it for the 100th Anniversary".
Since forming, the club has produced many champions such as Alan Rudkin (1950s), George Turpin (1960s), Andy Palmer (ABA heavyweight champion) (1970s) to Marcel Braithwaite, and too many to name over the years.
Hakeem Palmer who won all his first handful of professional fights added: "In 75 years time I would like to be remembered as the best I could possibly be as a champion. I just need to keep working hard and I will get there".
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