The BoxingExchange

4 days ago

'I never wanted to fight. Not after I saw George's face, and the pain and disappointment in his eyes. I was barely fourteen, but George was my big brother, my hero, and seeing him so bashed up broke my heart. If that's what boxing did to you, they could stuff it. I didn't want to know.

But here I am, just eight years on, the best amateur heavyweight in the country, in the ring at Wembley's famous arena. Fighting for Great Britain against the United States. It's Thursday night, second of November 1961. And it's a night that might - if I get lucky - make my dreams come true. Make me a big name and get me big money to turn professional. That's what I'm in the fight game for. To be paid for punching. I'm not one of those kids who put the gloves on at seven or eight years old and dream of winning cups or medals, or other soppy prizes they give to amateurs. I didn't have a competitive fight until I was nearly nineteen. After that - after Georhe told me I had what it takes - fighting had been only a means to an end. And that end was money. I want lots of it. Enough to do what I want - and that's, have fun. I don't want stress or problems, never have. I don't want to be told by anyone what to do; never liked that, either. Do what I like, when I like. And be answerable to no one. That's the life money can buy. And that's why, after tonight, I'm only interested in fighting if I get paid.'

- Billy Walker ... See MoreSee Less

The BoxingExchange

4 days ago

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman responds to the news that the WBC along with all the other belts won’t be part of Dana White’s Zuffa boxing.

Sulaiman said: “Welcome to boxing…. A sport like no other, with standards and protections that MMA fighters and fans can surely benefit from… A boxer is a dignified human being, not merchandise to be used to enrich just a few.” ... See MoreSee Less

The BoxingExchange

1 week ago

'I never wanted to fight. Not after I saw George's face, and the pain and disappointment in his eyes. I was barely fourteen, but George was my big brother, my hero, and seeing him so bashed up broke my heart. If that's what boxing did to you, they could stuff it. I didn't want to know.

But here I am, just eight years on, the best amateur heavyweight in the country, in the ring at Wembley's famous arena. Fighting for Great Britain against the United States. It's Thursday night, second of November 1961. And it's a night that might - if I get lucky - make my dreams come true. Make me a big name and get me big money to turn professional. That's what I'm in the fight game for. To be paid for punching. I'm not one of those kids who put the gloves on at seven or eight years old and dream of winning cups or medals, or other soppy prizes they give to amateurs. I didn't have a competitive fight until I was nearly nineteen. After that - after Georhe told me I had what it takes - fighting had been only a means to an end. And that end was money. I want lots of it. Enough to do what I want - and that's, have fun. I don't want stress or problems, never have. I don't want to be told by anyone what to do; never liked that, either. Do what I like, when I like. And be answerable to no one. That's the life money can buy. And that's why, after tonight, I'm only interested in fighting if I get paid.'

- Billy Walker ... See MoreSee Less