John Claridge’s Boxers (Round Six)
Photographer and Ex-Boxer John Claridge has been making regular trips to the East End to take on members of London Ex-Boxers Association. John distinguished himself with some fine shots in Round One, proved a class act with a bravura display of his singular talent in Round Two, commanded the ring in Round Three, showed himself as a potential champion in Round Four, continued his astonishing performance in Round Five and now excels himself in Round Six.
Eddie Lazar (Boxed in the fifties, his name was shortened from Lazarus because at his first fight there was not enough space on the poster.)
John Powell (First fight 1964 – First fight 1969)
Colin Lake (First fight 1961 – Last fight 1970)
Mick Pye (First fight 1956 – Last fight 1966)
Vic Moore (First fight 1965 – Last fight 1969)
Ted Cheeseman (First fight 2007 and still boxing)
Mark Lazarus (Brother of Eddie Lazar, Amateur Boxer & Professional Footballer who scored final goal in 1967 Cup Final))
Johnny Shannon (First fight 1946 – Last fight 1955)
Chas Taylor, LEBA Welfare Officer (First fight 1956 – Last fight 1958)
Dennis Hinson (First fight 1948 – Last fight 1960)
John Docker (First fight 1946 – Last fight 1962)
Photographs copyright © John Claridge
Take a look at
John Claridge’s Boxers (Round One)
John Claridge’s Boxers (Round Two)
John Claridge’s Boxers (Round Three)
John Claridge’s Boxers (Round Four)
John Claridge’s Boxers (Round Five)
and these other pictures by John Claridge
Along the Thames with John Claridge
At the Salvation Army with John Claridge
A Few Diversions by John Claridge
Signs, Posters, Typography & Graphics
Views from a Dinghy by John Claridge
In Another World with John Claridge
A Few Pints with John Claridge
Some East End Portraits by John Claridge
Sunday Morning Stroll with John Claridge
Round 6, the standard never drops, each round is a knockout but I am still on my feet and ready for more…G
Round Six: A unique and wonderful series.
I hope you’re going to have a hardback publication of these stunning portraits.
Thanks.
Lee
These portraits are always stunning and I noticed the young guy still boxing. I often wonder what these guys are doing now. It was a fascinating period.
Outstanding, impressive. This is the closest I have ever faced a boxer apart from being in the ring myself.
Keep them coming as I will stay the distance.
Another amazing series of portraits from John Claridge, the close and personal feel to these old boxers is a trade mark of John’s, he’s not afraid to move in close because he’s got what it takes.
I can’t stop looking at them, it’s great to see a photographer who’s not afraid to show us the real thing.
Keep em coming John.
J
As I have said before there are never enough words to express how amazing these images are, and as other people have commented you are left wondering what each individual life was like.
They really stand in a place on their own John as both the most moving,powerful and wonderful portraits
Round 6 and still going strong . . . Will they go the distance? . . .
I think we should be told and, of course, shown through JC’s
imperious lens!
The whole procession from one thru 6 , a kaleidoscope of heads that look as if they have just stepped off a Viking long boat having crossed from Trondheim to Sunderland in a March force 9. At night.
A long drum beat of Mount Rushmore / Easter Island monuments. How Liz Frink would have loved these battered warriors, and caught the unshakable bravery of these heads.
Course, JC has by his innate gift [ & ring experience ] tabulated all that rat-tat-tat on the front door knocker, aka nose, and more, the patina of those repeated 18 to 30 minute encounters [ 10 x 3min – 30 x 20 bouts = 600 minutes, ten hours & a bit ] minutely seen in JC’s 250th of second, ‘that’ moment that shows all the life enshrined.
It’s all flashed my schooldays up. Having been at hallowed prep school dedicated to sport with no quarter given, arrived at sec-mod with unfair advantage… eg: 9 wickets for 3 runs – including games
master – innings of 47 etc. Then the boxing … me at 5 stone if matched against dark part gypsy, stocky Bobby Coombs. At the time I was labeled as ‘unknown quantity’ & ‘walking alone’ as I wouldn’t kow-tow to one large playground alpha-dimwit, Sutton, who came from boxing family.
As I knew Bobby was heavier and stronger than me and not excitable, I thought the only way is
to take it to him … got a good one on the button about 10 seconds in, which informed & inflamed me in one. So I waded in and wouldn’t back down. Bobby was rattled big time. The entire school was on it’s feet from round two on to three howling with glee and passion. Bobby got it on points – just … but I was champ from that moment, Bobby admitted he was gone & I was his pal from thereon. Sutton gave an edict I was the DB’s … So, lost the battle won the war …. Loved every second of the whole 6 minutes.
There’s a 20 minute ballet by Constant Lambert [ Composer/founder of Sadlers Wells – English Ballet – Father of Kit Lambert who found the High Numbers & made The Who ] Never performed though was choreographed, dusty & unloved in the archives of The British Music Society – It’s called The Boxing Match & depicts a Stepney Town Hall Friday Night 6 rounder.
See what you’ve stirred up Johnny. Dark Arts in the Darkroom you Magic Boy.
This is where I came in. x