Police Pugilists!

We had recently come into possession of the photos below, but there were no prizes for guessing that they were taken at one of the Police Boxing tournaments.

We wanted to know which tournament, who are the boxers, and the second, when and where were they taken, and what was the significance of that particular evening. Who else was on the boxing card that evening? Who were the referees and seconds? Fortunately, there were lots of people who could vividly recall that historic evening .

This was, of course, the first ever evening of Police Boxing held on 22^nd March 1969 at the PRC. There were eleven bouts in all, and the whole evening was a brilliant success thanks to the excellent organizing skills of Patrick McBride and an outstanding committee. The first photo shows the first boxers to step into the ring that night, and they were Dave Cann and George Rose.

The comments section below contains more first-hand information about that inaugural night, which became one of the most popular events on the Bermuda sporting calendar for several decades, and progressed from inside the PRC to the outside patio, and then to the Southampton Princess Hotel where tickets were much sought after.

You can find more information about the creation of the Police Boxing Section in an excellent article written by Pat McBride which can be found at http://expobermuda.com/index.php/articles/89-first-boxing-tournament

Dave Cann keeps George Rose at bay in the first fight of the night

Alan Keagle (above and below) pounds the "Pudsey Wonder" with Second, Mike Palmer keeping watch on his man

George Rose 7 years 2 months

BERMUDA POLICE BOXING NIGHT 22 March 1969 - Opening nightFirst fight of eleven bouts on the card.Blue corner George Rose (C.I.D) (England) versus Red Corner David Cann (Operations) (England)Result : A win to Dave Cann in Red Corner: Blue Corner TKO’d in the second round.A grand affair - Tuxedo's, Cigars and Champagne. No ladies allowed - strictly enforced until Charlies wife got through on a subsequent event! We dressed in the billiard room across the hall. Weighed-in and examined as to fitness by the police doctor. Medals for all combatants presented by Commissioner Robins.Editors note - I presume that was Charlie Dorrington's wife, Kathy although it must have been a few years later. It sure was an incredible night for all present, and just for the record, George Rose and Dave Cann were the first two boxers to step into the ring on that inaugural evening of boxing.

Davie Kerr 7 years 2 months

I was one of the boxers, and I was outpointed by John Balsdon, but we had the distinction of winning the first "Fight of the Night" award: by a strange coincidence, on my last appearance in the ring some 14 1/2 years later I also lost on points, but also shared the "Fight of the Night" award with my opponent, this time the legendary Paul "Bad Dog" Driscoll of the Mass State Troopers!That first night was something else: polite applause from the "Officers and Gentlemen" on one side of the ring, and champagne corks and assorted verbal abuse from the "Assorted Scruffs" on the other side! Cracker of a night, though, and well done to Pat McBride and his assistants for getting it off the ground at all against serious odds.

Jeff Baker 7 years 2 months

Inaugural night of Police Boxing at PRC. 22 March.1969.Organised by Patrick McBride and others.photo 1. Dave Cann and George Rosephoto 2.3.4. Alan Keagle and Bob (Pudsey Hay) second Mike PalmerReferees: Bryn Jones, Arthur WallingtonSecon ds: Dave Garland,Malky Smith. Les Tomlinson, Mike PalmerFull account under Police Boxing on this site.Great to review these old photographs. So sad that so many familiar faces have passed onBest regards to allEditors note - Spot on Mike. There are other boxing photos on our website together with the excellent article by Pat McBride about how the Police Boxing started and who were the major players, including those who volunteered to step into the ringt - many for the first time.Would like to hear comments from those who were there on that first night. What are your recollections of the evening?