Comments on: John Claridge’s Boxers (Round Six)

By: john edwards

john edwards — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 12:54:26 +0000

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

By: David Drakes

David Drakes — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:25:37 +0000

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!

By: Jan Davis

Jan Davis — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:56:14 +0000

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

By: jens marott

jens marott — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 10:35:09 +0000

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.

By: rolph gobits

rolph gobits — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 08:33:22 +0000

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.

By: Olga Secerov

Olga Secerov — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 23:03:06 +0000

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.

By: Lee

Lee — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 18:13:10 +0000

I hope you’re going to have a hardback publication of these stunning portraits.

Thanks.

Lee

By: Marien de Goffau

Marien de Goffau — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 18:13:08 +0000

Round Six: A unique and wonderful series.

By: Gerry Coe

Gerry Coe — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 12:03:55 +0000

Round 6, the standard never drops, each round is a knockout but I am still on my feet and ready for more…G