He banged into me uptown once and I rared-up at him before realising who he was. In an instant he apologised and I said "ok then." just as well for me that he was a genuinely nice bloke!
RIP Gary. Really nice man man lived in the same road when my kids were young, they and their friends should have driven him mad but he was always great with them always laughing and joking and never annoyed when pestered for autographs or his time.
He could have flattened a few of our so called top heavys today, A sportsman seemed to go about his business with a smile on his face---------unlike many today who think the World owes them everything. RIP.
Sad news. Used to be a member of the same squash club. Never played him but apparently he was not very good tactically but was a bit scary to play against.
Saw him fight many times as well at the Albert Hall and Manor Place Baths.
Very, very sad. About my age too so it always hits home. Came along after the Bruno Circus and IMO never got the recognition deserved.
Detached retina caused him all sorts of trouble but he kept coming back. Spoke well and was no mug.
I may be wrong but from what I remember he fought a few Americans who'd gone in with "The Man". Also I think he only lost one fight, against Lewis. Gave him a good fight though. That was in the days when Lewis was getting paid by Don King not to fight "The Man". The Yanks had no interest in Lewis, and King could not sell the fight to HBO or others.
Lewis was more than happy to take the money. That's why he has no legacy.
I may be wrong,this is all from memory. Nolly will correct me if necessary.
[cite]Posted By: nolly[/cite]His eyes stopped him getting a crack at a title,personally i thought more talented then bruno
...............and Bruno agrees with you (according to BBC South East News). He fought out of Chatham & used to have a shop there called "Punch & Jewellery, my boys (when younger) used to often pop down there to see him & were pleased as punch (excuse the pun) when they had their photo taken with him & even more so when they took the photo down to him & he signed it. A really nice bloke. RIP Gary
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My mate sparred with him way back, Gary was always friendly/laughing.
Gutted truely Gutted
we won't talk about the arm wrestling league
Came across as a really good bloke and was one of the better British heavyweights.
What a tragedy, RIP Big Fella.
Saw him fight many times as well at the Albert Hall and Manor Place Baths.
RIP
Detached retina caused him all sorts of trouble but he kept coming back. Spoke well and was no mug.
I may be wrong but from what I remember he fought a few Americans who'd gone in with "The Man". Also I think he only lost one fight, against Lewis. Gave him a good fight though. That was in the days when Lewis was getting paid by Don King not to fight "The Man". The Yanks had no interest in Lewis, and King could not sell the fight to HBO or others.
Lewis was more than happy to take the money. That's why he has no legacy.
I may be wrong,this is all from memory. Nolly will correct me if necessary.
...............and Bruno agrees with you (according to BBC South East News). He fought out of Chatham & used to have a shop there called "Punch & Jewellery, my boys (when younger) used to often pop down there to see him & were pleased as punch (excuse the pun) when they had their photo taken with him & even more so when they took the photo down to him & he signed it. A really nice bloke. RIP Gary
I too was at a black tie do with him once, a real gent.
RIP Gary.