Please Note:

The following are just extracts from the boxing poems and are not the full versions.

(Tribute to Howard Winstone MBE)

When Honourable Men Fought Toe-To-Toe

Merthyr born in nineteen thirty nine

of Celtic blood, a Welsh-Irish line,

Times were tough, the town was hard

going through life never off your guard.

When honourable men fought toe-to-toe

And the loser shook hands with his better foe

As a small boy, Howard was often bloody and bruised

by bigger boys who liked to amuse.

"That's it", his father, Howard Senior did say

And went down on his knees to show Howard the way.

To duck and to weave, to avoid the big blows

No more black eyes or bloody red nose,

The skills that he taught planted the seeds

For the young pretender's forthcoming deeds ....

~

...The stage was set; the match was on

The two best featherweights, world eyes gazed upon

Winstone against Saldivar, two contrasting styles

The fans and the crowds came from miles and miles

Three fights ensued like battles from hell

Titanic struggles from bell to bell,

Bruised and battered, Two courageous men

Caused many a writer to pick up their pen ...

~

... When honourable men fought toe-to-toe

And the loser shook hands with his better foe.

© 2006 Ashley O'Keefe

(Tribute to Johnny Owen)

The Hunger to Win

Strike the match, Ignite the flame

A boxer was born to the fighting game,

Fragile in appearance; painfully thin

But with phenomenal strength and the hunger to win ...

~

... The World Championship Fight; abroad in LA

After twelve gruelling rounds, on the canvas he lay,

A heartbreaking occurrence; a tragic trick

His candle went out, but left a smouldering wick.

© 2006 Ashley O'Keefe

(Tribute to Eddie Thomas MBE)

Merthyr's Son

Born to Merthyr in Collier's Row

1926 was the start of his show,

Raised on boxing and tales of old

to the fighting game, Eddie's spirit was sold ...

~

... Listening to the radio

As we ate bara caws,

Hearing Eddie's voice singing

"Bless This House" ...

~

... A World renowned trainer

and a cuts-man he'd become,

Who managed Howard Winstone

and Ken Buchanan ...

~

© 2006 Ashley O'Keefe