Born to Fight--The True Story of Richy 'Crazy Horse' Horsley (17 page)

After my victory at the Warriors 1, the self-proclaimed and well-named ‘Monarch of the Underworld’, Dave Courtney, came up to me. He commended me when he said, ‘Richy, you can hit. I’m fucking glad you’re not hitting me.’ He said it in such a way and with this expression on his face that he made me laugh. He is now a good friend of mine, although due to distance I don’t see that much of him these days. Sometimes people misunderstood him, but the man has always been all right with me. We get on particularly well due to having the same dry sense of humour. Not long after my win, Dave called me up out of the blue and asked me whether I wanted to help out with a situation. Tony Lambrianou, a former Kray henchman, had died of a suspected heart attack, and Dave was in charge of security at the funeral.
Because it was a former Kray henchman, there were rumours that trouble was brewing, and that something was going to kick-off at the funeral. Dave asked me to help make sure everything would pass off smoothly.

The following morning, Dave and I paid a few visits to some unsavoury characters, all of whom shall remain nameless. They were firmly told them they were not welcome at the funeral service and to stay away, if they knew what was good for them. But we didn’t just leave it at that; we wanted to be sure, so we knocked seven colours of shit out of them. They got the message and the funeral of Tony Lambrianou went ahead without a hitch. I didn’t even need to attend the service, as we had made sure everything would go without at hitch. Now that was a favour for Dave Courtney, not the Kray name.

When I look back, I sometimes wish I had stuck at school and got myself a good job, but the cards just were dealt to me like that! I also wish that I had gone into the ring 100% fit. A lot of the time, I was unfit, full of flu, overweight and even once with a hangover. I think the only things that got me through times like that were my ability to take a punch and my lion heart.

I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on my life, and I’m trying to become a better person. I’m thinking about going to college to study – I’m not sure which subject yet, but something I enjoy. They always say that it’s never too late, don’t they … I might just take them up on the offer.

Here is a profile of some local boxers, old and new, a number of whom I have fought. You will already know some of the characters I’ve mentioned from the book, but I thought that a little background would add another dimension. But remember that these are not definitive career profiles as such. I have added details from memory, but naturally I can’t remember every aspect to their careers.

TERRY ALLEN ALIAS DAVE ALLEN

D.O.B. 24-5-59

Bantamweight

Fights:9 Won: 0 Lost: 9.

You got to take your hat off to the guy for having a go.

SEAN ARMSTRONG

D.O.B. 22-9-68

Welterweight.

Fights: 3 Won: 2 Lost: 1

‘Biff’ fought Shea Neary in Liverpool on his debut.

Totally dedicated to boxing but always suffered with bad hands which cut short his career and has had numerous operations on them.

CRAWFORD ASHLEY

D.O.B. 20-5-64

Fights: 44 Won: 33 Lost: 10 Drew: 1

I boxed Crawford in the 1981 Junior ABAs. He won six National titles as a junior and was a devastating puncher who could take you out with either hand. As a pro he became British Champion, and won a Lonsdale Belt outright. He also won the European title and had a couple of World title fights.

KEVIN BENNETT

D.O.B. 15-8-75

Fights: 21 Won: 7 Lost: 4

As an amateur Benny was always the bridesmaid and never the bride. An England International who won a bronze medal in the multi-nations, and was a runner-up in the NABCs and an ABA finalist. I travelled around the country with him in the season before he turned pro and witnessed him receive a number diabolical decisions.
But he never moaned and just got on with it. A close friend who recently became Commonwealth Lightweight title holder as a pro.

BILLY BESSEY

D.O.B. 8-1-74

Super Heavyweight

Fights: 6 Won: 4 Lost: 2

Big Bill was A.B.A Super Heavyweight Champion in 1999. Showed a lot of courage and determination in his title fight win when all looked lost but had the heart of a champion and pulled it out the fire. Moved back to his native Portsmouth and is still active as a pro.

GEORGE BOWES

D.O.B. 1-9-36

Fights: 62 Won: 42 Lost: 16 Drew: 4

George is one of the old school who seems to have been around forever. He has a wealth of experience in the fight game. A top-class amateur who had over sixty fights in a ten-year pro career. He challenged for the British title in 1964 but was stopped on cuts. As a trainer he guided the Feeney brothers to British Championships.

PETER CANTERDALE

D.O.B. 7-7-64

Welterweight

Fights: 6 Won: 5 Lost: 1

I’ve known Peter about 26 years and also worked the doors with him back in the eighties. He turned pro in 1986 and seven months later retired for good.

MARK CHICHOCKI

D.O.B. 18-10-67

Light Middleweight

Fights: 11 Won: 6 Lost: 5

Chi was a good amateur and also took the Northern Area belt as a pro with a 10th round KO in a great fight back in ’93. I should know, I was there!

STEVE CONWAY

D.O.B. 6-10-77

Lightweight

Fights: 37 Won: 31 Lost: 6

Born and Bred in Hartlepool and is a relative of mine through marriage. Already had a shot at British title against Alex Arthur at Featherweight. Steve is a awkward and tricky southpaw who is still very much active. Now resides in Yorkshire.

IAN COOPER

D.O.B. 3-5-74

Fights: 9 Won: 8 Lost: 1

Dubbed Super Cooper, he was a Junior ABA finalist, ABA finalist and then the ABA Champion. He was also an England International. A gifted and skilful boxer who more often than not would like to stand and trade. He won his first eight fights as a pro, including the Northern Area and British Masters titles, before losing on points to a journeyman in a mauling, spoiling fight. Took the loss badly and retired. Eighteen months later, he received four years’ imprisonment for GBH. He is a good lad and I hope he can get his life back on track when he’s released. He still has a lot to offer boxing and would make a good coach.

MAURICE CULLEN

Born 30-12-37

Lightweight

Fights: 55 Won: 45 Lost: 8 Drew: 2

Maurice was British Champ and won a Lonsdale belt outright. Fought and won at Madison Square Gardens in New York in 1967. Lost to two legendary world champs in Carlos Ortiz and Ken Buchanan and retired in 1970.

DARREN ELSDEN

D.O.B. 16-2-71

Super Featherweight

Fights: 8 Won: 5 Lost: 2 Drew: 1

I remember Darren when he first started boxing at our club when he was knee high to a grasshopper. Won Northern Area title with a 7th round KO. Retired soon after.

NEIL FANNAN

D.O.B. 17-6-59

Fights: 16 Won: 10 Lost: 5 Drew: 1

A good amateur and decent pro at light middle and middleweight. Very tough with a terrific body punch. Now a pro trainer with a few champions under his belt. A disciplinarian who demands 100%.

GEORGE FEENEY

D.O.B. 9-2-57.

Fights: 29 Won: 19 Lost: 10

British Lightweight Champion and winner of a Lonsdale Belt outright. George had a granite chin and bags of stamina, and had a close fight with the World Champ. He retired after an eye operation to repair a detached retina while still British Champ. A really nice bloke who is also a good cut man to have in your corner.

JOHN FEENEY

D.O.B. 15-5-58

Fights: 48 Won: 35 Lost: 13

John won Junior titles as an amateur and was ABA runner-up in 1976. As a pro he was British Bantamweight Champion twice. He had seven British title fights, four European title fights and even fought for the Commonwealth title in the Sydney Opera House.

KEITH FOREMAN

D.O.B. 29-7-62

Super Featherweight

Fights: 36 Won: 13 Lost: 21 Drew: 2

Keith fought the best in Britain. His record reads like a who’s who. When I think of Keith and his twin brother ken my nose starts to bleed.

KEN FOREMAN

D.O.B. 29-7-62

Fights: 46 Won: 31 Lost: 15

I first met Ken in 1978 when we boxed for the same club, United Services BC. He had over a hundred amateur fights. A very slick and skilful southpaw, with a jab that was second to none. Ken was a contender as a pro and had a number of televised fights. He was also Northern Area Champ.

TEDDY GARDNER

D.O.B. 21-1-22

Fights: 66 Won: 55 Lost: 8 Drew: 3

Boxed his early career under the name of Teddy Baker. Teddy was a triple champion at flyweight. In 1952 he was British, Commonwealth – at that time called the Empire – and European Champion. When he retired he ran a pub called ‘The Square Ring’, which had framed boxing pictures covering the walls.

DAVE GARSIDE

D.O.B: 14-3-63

Fights: 45 Won: 27 Lost: 18

England International and ABA runner-up in 1981. A very tough man with the heart of a lion. Dave loved training and always turned up for fights in great condition. Challenged for the British title as a pro. Married to Brian London’s daughter. Now a successful businessman.

PHIL GIBSON

D.O.B.15-1-61

Light Middleweight

Fights: 14 Won: 7 Lost: 6 Drew: 1

N.A.B.C Finalist in 1978. Never stopped as a pro, very tough and durable was Phil.

EDDIE GLASS

D.O.B. 1-2-56

Featherweight

Fights: 13 Won: 0 Lost: 11 Drew: 2

Poor Eddie never won one. At least he kept getting in and trying. It takes a special breed of man to climb up the steps and through the ropes in front of a crowd who all want to see blood.

MARTIN HARTY

He was tough and durable. I fought him twice back in 1981 and won both. In our second fight, I dropped him in the first round with a lovely punch. He came back at me in the second round and had me rocking and out on my feet. We both had bust noses and black eyes. He also broke his right hand in the fight.

MOHAMMED HELEL

D.O.B. 16-6-74

Welterweight

Fights: 10 Won: 2 Lost: 8

Mo was from Tunisia and reached the national novice final. A very polite man who always had a smile on his face. Last seen working as a waiter in a retaraunt.

JACKIE HORSEMAN

D.O.B. 3-3-21

Featherweight

Fights: 48 Won: 6 Lost: 38 Drew: 4

Jackie was a journey man and would stand in at the last minute for anyone. He had an all-action style which the fans loved and was noted as a promoter’s man. Anytime, anyplace, anywhere, that was Jackie. Northern Area champ in 1951 and retired in ’56.

CHRIS HUBBERT

D.O.B. 30-5-68

Heavyweight

Fights: 6 Won: 3 Lost: 3

Big Chris 6ft 4in was an excellent Lt-Heavy as an amateur and I recall him winning 22 out of 23 fights in one season. Had a couple of years out and piled the beef on and turned pro as a Heavyweight.

MICHAEL HUNTER

Born 5-5-78

Fights: 22 Won: 21 Lost: 0 Drew: 1

England International. European Junior bronze medallist. NABC title holder. ABA Flyweight Champion. ABA Bantamweight Champion. Undefeated pro who added the WBF Super Bantamweight title to his list of honours. Also Northern Area Champion and British Champion. The better the fighter in front of him, the
better he fights. I’m sure there’ll be more titles for Michael before he’s through.

GORDON JACKSON

A heavily built, short southpaw heavyweight from Sunderland. He came at me like a bullet, looking for a quick finish. I weathered his early storm and hit him back in tremendous fashion. It only lasted two minutes and forty seconds but it was a beauty. I never heard of him after that: I think I finished him as a fighter.

FRANCIS JONES

D.O.B: 7-2-81

Light Middleweight

Fights: 13 Won: 8 Lost: 2 Drew: 2 No Contest: 1

Franny Rat fought Danny Moir for the vacant Northern Area belt but during the 3rd round crowd trouble turned into a riot and the fight was abandoned and declared a no contest. They are supposed to be meeting again for the vacant belt, let’s hope the crowd are on their best behaviour.

PAUL KEERS

D.O.B. 22-10-60

Lightweight

Fights 42 Won 14 Lost 25. Drew 3

‘Lofty’ was a good Featherweight and was on the verge of a British title eliminator but making the weight was too much for him and moved up to Lightweight but found them a bit too big.

JOHN T. KELLY.

D.O.B. 12-6-70

Lightweight

Fights: 58 Won: 26 Lost: 26 Drew: 6

‘Corn Dog’ Kelly lifted the Northern Area crown but had to retire less than a year later with eye trouble.

STEWART LITHGO

D.O.B. 2-6-57

Fights: 30 Wins: 16 Lost: 12 Drew: 2

Very tough. Stewie could take a lot of punishment and was as game as a badger. Although he was too small for a heavyweight, he still fought the best heavies in Europe. He dropped down to cruiserweight and became Commonwealth Champion.

BRIAN LONDON

Born 19-6-34

Fights: 58 Won: 37 Lost: 20 Drew: 1

Real name Brian Harper. Like his father Jack before him, Brian became British Heavyweight Champion. Always boxed out of Blackpool but was born and bred in Hartlepool. He had two cracks at the undisputed
Heavyweight
Championship of the World, losing to Floyd Patterson in 11 rounds in 1959 and Muhammad Ali in 3 rounds in 1966.

JACK LONDON

Born 21-6-13

Fights: 141 Won: 95 Lost: 39 Drew: 5 No Contests: 2 Real name John Harper. Big Jack received the princely sum of 12?p for his pro debut in 1931. He won the British Heavyweight title in 1944 and returned to Hartlepool a hero, with huge crowds waiting for him at the railway station. Jack had an astonishing 141 pro fights. Died in 1963 aged fifty.

BATTLING MANNERS

D.O.B. 1909

Fights: 19 Won: 11 Lost: 8

Real name George Manning. He sang in the church choir as a youngster and always had a good singing voice. Could often be heard belting a song or two out in the local pubs and clubs. He was also Hartlepool’s first ever bouncer. He
was a pro heavyweight in the 1930s and known locally as ‘The Battler’. A crowd pleaser who had some fights at the Redworth Street ‘Blood Tub’. A big man with hands like shovels and a cracking street fighter. Many stories have been told about The Battler, including when he knocked out four policemen. He died in December 1967 aged 58.

KEVIN MCKENZIE

D.O.B. 18-10-68

Welterweight

Fights: 25 Won: 9 Lost: 14 Drew: 2

Kev got cut non stop which was his downfall. His skin would tear open all the time. Northern Area Champ in ’95 and retired in ’96.

TONY ROWBOTHAM.

D.O.B. 24-1-72

Super Middleweight

Fights: 5 Won: 3 Lost: 2

I used to spar with Tony back in the 80’s. He beat Mark Smith in the A.B.A Championships (Smith was tipped to win the title) but never fulfilled expectations. The Italian Stallion works as a builder.

MARK SMITH

Mark never turned pro but in the early 90’s won the N.A.B.C (very prestigious national boxing competition) Championships 3 years in a row.

ALAN TEMPLE

Born 21-10-72

Fights: 30 Won: 13 Lost: 17

Alan was an excellent amateur who was double ABA Champ and an England International who never fulfilled his potential as a pro.