Boxing greats past and present united on Sunday afternoon to celebrate the golden anniversary of the Merseyside Former Boxers Association.
The organisation was formed at the Flat House pub in Tuebrook in April 1973 and is currently run by committee members Mick Molyneux (chairman), Terry Carson (secretary), Brian Wood, Tommy Nesbitt and Brian Snagg. All five gentlemen were present at the dinner, which was held at the Adelphi Hotel, along with former world champions John Conteh, John H. Stracey and Paul Hodkinson.
Natasha Jonas, who, as well as being a current unified world champion, became the first woman in history to win the British Boxing Board of Control's British Boxer of the Year Award last year, and James Metcalf, who claimed the IBO world super-welterweight title last month, also attended the event.
The function raised thousands of pounds for the organisation, which helps individuals and groups involved in the sport who have fallen on hard times. Boxing gyms across the city have also benefited from the group's generosity.
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"It was good to be around all the old school, and some people who I grew up watching, like Paul Hodkinson, were there," Jonas said.
"It was great to see all the old fighters and catch up with them; some of them are local to me as well. It is just a great organisation and charity.
"Sometimes boxing as a community is a small and limited, close-knit community. The work they do, helping widows of ex-professional boxes and fixing up houses.
"About one percent of boxers make it to the same level as Ricky Hatton or Anthony Joshua; everybody else kind of finishes and has to go back to work and hasn't secured that money that can sustain you throughout life.
"So to see them give back, and like I said, it was just great to be a part of it and to hear the stories mostly."
