Comments on: Tony Burns, Boxing Coach

By: Zack burns

Zack burns — Sat, 23 May 2020 04:06:15 +0000

Hey Tony I have story’s told to me as a kid
And even now my dad still talks to me about
The east end and what it was like growing up
I’m just wondering if you remember him his
Name is Alan burns your cousin he speaks highly
Of you and was just wondering if you remember
Him.

By: Ghulam

Ghulam — Sat, 27 Apr 2019 12:44:37 +0000

At the age of 14, I went to St Monica’s Boxing club down the Hoxton Sqr. (no longer there. I think its a fancy bar or a college or something now). Trained for a few months all by myself as each and every trainer ignored me. Used to think it was because I was the only Asian there at the time. Only time I got to spar was if I kept hassling the trainer (think his name was Chris) to allow me to spar. I absolutely loved boxing and had hopes of becoming a world champion. Realised I could never be one if no one bothered with me. Kept at it though until i got fed up and left to try out other clubs around the area. Then went to The Lions boys club and then went to Crown and Manor. Same old story. I kept getting the feeling that I was being ignored as no one thought an Asian could become anything special in the game. I wanted to be the first. I still trained as much as I could and after training, used to run from Shoreditch to Hackney where I lived in the late 70’s, all of the 80’s and the best part of the 90’s.
Around 1986/87, I thought I would give Repton a go. This was going to be my last shot. I had heard of its reputation and thought that if I don’t make it here then I’ll just forget it. Went there for about 6 sessions but it quickly dawned on me that history was again repeating itself.
I used to look at Tommy Burns, hoping he’d give me a little attention. None came my way. I then stopped going to Repton Boxing Club. I used to think it was their loss as they could have had another champ. I really wanted to say that to Tommy Burns’ face but never did
I stopped boxing training altogether the following year but not before one more visit to St Monicas where I convinced the coach to allow me to spar. In my head, this was going to be the last time. It really was the last time as I was put in with Paul ”scrapiron” Ryan who went on to become a pro and I think held one of the intercontinental titles for a while. He proceeded to batter me around the ring, gave me a few bruised ribs and perforated both my ear drums. I like to think that I could have done a lot better if I had the proper training. I wasn’t scared of getting hit. I used to get a buzz
When it dawned on me that I will never become a boxer, I started to neglect my health, started doing things that I would never have even contemplated ever doing. It involved a variety of intoxicants.
Fast forward about 32 years. I was doing a bit of part time work with Uber and I just happen to see Tommy Burns crossing Roman Road and decided to drive up to him. It was a brief moment but I managed to tell him about my short stint at the club all those years ago and how he could have had another world champion. Tommy was nice about it and told me to come to the club if I wanted to train. I said I would but never did.
I still have a desire to do a bit of boxing training but I am now 48 and have a bad back and a pot belly. My cardio is non-existent due to the abuse my body took over the years. In my head I can still do it but physically, I know I can’t.
All the best
G

By: Colin Mccabe

Colin Mccabe — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 00:03:39 +0000

I entered the schoolboys boxing champs in 1962 having never bored beffort. Won it.lost my first fight in semis in 63. Lost to mickey carter.first fight I lost my 19th. He lost in final to a guy called Norrish whom I had beaten the previous yearecord. Be niceating if mick called.me on 07958762291

By: Joe Cliff

Joe Cliff — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 18:36:15 +0000

Gotta agree with you Iris on Micky Carter being the best,I think he would have went on to huge honours in the ring.Uncle Tony is in regular contact with Sunderland A.B.C. and exchange visits every year between Repton and Sunderland .

By: Iris burns

Iris burns — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 00:44:32 +0000

Haha it’s uncle Tony best boxer ever!!!!!!!!

By: Joe Cliff

Joe Cliff — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 22:26:12 +0000

Just found out how to get back on this site,and just found out that Mickey Carter replied to my query of how he was.So pleased that he is well and he got on with life after the ridiculous descision against him in the Olympics.We from Sunderland wish you and yours all the very best and good health for the future….Joe Cliff.

By: Emma Tarlo

Emma Tarlo — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 03:40:58 +0000

Hi Tony I have heard many story growing up with my grandad Harry micheal Smith and the story he told most was with the young krays he said that he was a PE instructor in the army and I am just wondering if there are any records of this information please when the kray boxed and when one of them lost they though a stool across the ring I would love to find out more but sadly he passed away now thank emma

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 18:30:40 +0000

Hi I am not sure if this is the same man who coached our boxing team or not. I was only about 9 or 10 I think so it would have been 1950-51. I was boxing with the Rosary Club in Marylebone in London. One day a new coach arrived he had a tube attached to his eye that was draining fluid from it. As far as I can remember he told us he fought under the name of Danny Kid Burn but its such a long time ago I am not sure how good my memory is of those times. He told us he had been stabbed in the eye with a knife and that why he had the tube in it. He still got up in the ring to spar with us. I can only remember what a nice person he was and so caring, I was very small for my age and also being so young that most of the lads towered over me. I remember when I was in the ring with them he said to them if they hurt me too much they would have to fight him next. I am not sure if this was the same man in your profile. Can anyone tell me if it could be him.

By: Barry Silkman

Barry Silkman — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 12:34:17 +0000

Just realised Micky Carter wrote on here. Michael I’d love to hear from you my number is 07729007007

By: Barry Silkman

Barry Silkman — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 09:21:37 +0000

Unreal first I read what happened to Mickey(Michael Carter). I googled Mickey and Robin (his brother) Carter then I read Robin has left a comment. We all grew up as kids together in Petticoat Lane. Michael won his first 66 bouts(I think 66) then was counted out on his feet whilst not even hurt at the olympics. It was scandalous he went down got up at count of 5 and the ref kept counting. The referee was thrown out and I believe never refereed again. If my memory is right Mickey was offered a lot of money to turn pro but was so gutted he went and worked in the stock exchange. He was brilliant Micky Duff said the best amateur he had ever seen. I became a professional footballer, don’t know what happened to Robin. I hope Robin sees this I’d love to meet up with him and Mickey again it would be amazing. If anyone sees or knows either of them please tell them to contact me. Barry Silkman