WHEN Douglas Horwood showed promise as a young boxer, his whole family became hooked on the sport.

They travelled all over the country to tournaments, supporting him and making many friends.

His sister, Christine Horwood-Middleton, was reminded of those exciting times when she saw a picture of him among a group of young men at Carfax Assembly Rooms in Oxford (Memory Lane, November 22, 2010. Click on the link below).

She writes: “My father, Chris Horwood, was an orphan and was bullied until one day he fought back.

“I guess he realised it felt good to be able to defend oneself.

“When my brother Douglas was 10 or 11, my father introduced him to boxing so as not to go through what he did.

“As time went by, dad joined Oxford YMCA and became manager of amateur boxing in Walton Street, if I remember correctly.

“Douglas boxed for Southfield School, YMCA and the RAF. My father earned his judge and referee certificates and that was it – we were all hooked as a family.

“What a wonderful group of people dad introduced us to – characters like Sam Singer (judge) and the local policeman (master of ceremonies), whose name I forget. I can see them now, stopping outside our house in Church Cowley Road, propping their bikes against the wall and coming in for a cup of tea.

“Our door was always open for a cuppa – my mother Rose was the untiring host and supporter of all the boxing boys and some of their families.”

Mrs Horwood-Middleton, who now lives in Auckland, New Zealand, remembers attending many memorable boxing tournaments.

“To walk into Oxford Town Hall or whatever hall it was and to see the boxing ring waiting for our team to appear was so exciting. The crowds shouted. The atmosphere was electric!

“Undaunted, mum and I shouted for my brother and our team. We travelled by coach all over the country to boxing events with the YMCA and made many friends. Home and away, there was camaraderie.”

Boxers she remembers include Percy Lewis, who became British Empire featherweight champion, Brian Prince, Pat Duffell, Kimber, Wellsford and Ken Butlin.

  • Any more boxing memories to share with readers? Write and let me know.