Programme - Randolph Turpin v Walter Cartier (March 1953)

I've had this programme for promoter Jack Solomons' middle weight contest for a few years and hadn't paid it much attention until recently. In fact, I had not even noticed the signatures on the inside cover of the programme.

Having studied these, I can make out the autograph of Randolph's brother - Dick Turpin, as well as the writer Peter Wilson. There are three other signatures here that I can only partially read (I think one of them may be Jack Solomons) - If you recognize any of these please leave me a comment using the link below.

In the headline fight, Walter Cartier was disqualified in the second round for holding - you can read a full review of the bout here.

Click on either of the images to view full size.

Introducing Chris Sanigar

This is my good friend Chris Sanigar, ex professional boxer and now a successful boxing promoter, Chris  boxed 56 times as an amateur for Empire ABC.  Chris reached the ABA finals in 1977 and represented England three times. With thirty one pro fights under his belt, boxing has taken him all over the world.

You can see Chris's impressive pro record here.

Today Chris is fighting again, this time against Cancer. I would like to take this opportunity to wish Chris all the best for the future.

God bless you mate – keep punching.

Superman V Muhammad Ali

This is a very rare comic that was issued in the US by Whitman in 1978, and this copy has been signed by Ali himself.

The back cover features no less than seventy two celebrities, see how many you can recognize. Click either of the images to view full size. Click here to see just some of the answers.

Hand bills

Here are some hand bills from my collection. These range in age from between 1917 through to the early 40s. I don't have much knowledge of these boxers, so if you know anything about them please let me know using the comment link below.

click on any of the images to view full size.

The Big Fight - Howard Winstone v Vicente Saldivar

This copy of the Big Fight was a souvenir  from the South Wales Echo commemorating the June 67 rematch between Merthyr Tydfil boxer Howard Winstone and Cuban fighter Vicente Saldivar.

Saldivar dropped him in the 14th, but most still thought Winstone had done enough to win.

There was an outcry when referee Wally Thom, an old adversary of Eddie Thomas, raised the Mexican's hand in victory.

You can more details of the fight as well as Winstone's career here

Carpentier by Himself

This book is the autobiography of French boxer Georges Carpentier (pictured here with Jack Dempsey

Alias: The Orchid Man
Born: 1894-01-12
Birthplace: Lens, Pas-de-Calais, France
Died: 1975-10-28 (Age:81)
Nationality: French
Hometown: Paris, Paris, France
Boxing Record: click
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 5′ 11½″   /   182cm
Divisions: Flyweight thru Heavyweight (generally Light-Heavyweight)
Managers: Francois DesChamps, Jack Curley (in USA)
Georges Carpentier Gallery

Heavyweight Hat

This baseball cap commemorates the awesome thrashing that Trevor Berbick received at the hands of Mike Tyson at the Vegas Hilton on 22 November 1986.

At the hight of his prowess, Tyson was formidable and the fight was stopped in the second round by referee Mills Lane.