Packing a punch 

Legendary heavyweights reunite at Swindon sporting dinner

 

Thirty years ago they were fierce rivals in the ring – but tonight in Swindon they showed they were the best of friends.

Former undisputed World Heavyweight Champion Larry Holmes making a guest appearance at a charity dinner with legendary hard-hitting puncher Earnie Shavers. 

 

Hitting Swindon: Larry Holmes (r) and Earnie Shavers (l) at the De Vere in Swindon for the KM Promotion charity evening

The pair enjoying a fabulous night with over a 150 fans of the noble art who joined them at the De Vere Hotel to talk about what was described as ‘the golden age’ of heavy weight boxing.

“When I stepped into the ring with Mohammed Ali as his sparring partner I knew I wanted to be a boxer,” commented Larry.

“And from then on I got to face opponents like Joe Lewis and Earnie Shavers and then later down the road I got to fight against the great Mohammed Ali – so the opponents I got to face were truly the golden age of boxing.”

 

Big effort for Eddie: (l to r) Earnie Shavers, Keith Mayo, Larry Holmes and Eddie Neilson all at the De Vere Hotel for Swindon sporting dinner

The night organised by KM Promotions also included special guest Swindon boxing star Eddie Neilson, a man especially proud to be attending the sporting dinner as it was helping raise money for a cancer charity who helped his wife, who sadly died last year.

“Tonight will be a great evening of entertainment,” said Eddie Nelson, “and when Keith said that the money raised from tonight would go towards a charity close to my heart I was overwhelmed.”

 

Adding a touch of glamour to the night was reigning Miss Swindon, Becky Cole, who helped boost the bids in a charity auction that raised several thousands of pounds.

Additional guests also included members of the 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh who are based locally in Tidworth, and Swindon fighter Jamie Cox.