http://www.gwentwildlife.org/events/2017/10/22/silent-valley-challenge-run-2017?instance=0 Fitness run up in the valleys of anyone is interested

Up to almost £300 now. Thanks to everyone that has donated.

Update. Both brothers are doing well. Lyndon is making short trips out and about. Thank you to those that have already donated. If you would like to donate and show your support for the James boys, please click on the link below. There is no minimum donation limit. Every little helps. If you can't or don't want to use the go fund me link you can drop donations off in the gym. Thanks

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1546640402039720&id=268371903199916 Update: Both Archie and Eddie are now out of hospital. They still have a long road ahead but are doing well. Thanks so much to those that donated today. It's much appreciated. If you are able to donate, please follow the link below. It's simple to donate and it doesn't have to be a lot. If everyone that read and liked the posts donated a quid, that would be awesome. Thanks

https://www.gofundme.com/4eluo8w Great news, both Lyndon and Archie are doing well and making progress with their recovery. Please help out if you can by clicking on the link, having a read and helping out if you can. Feel free to share

For those that don't know, Lyndon James and Archie Mark James are going into hospital on Monday for a life-changing surgical procedure. Without them, Pontypool Boxing club would not exist in it's current form and the club are eternally grateful for all of the hard work and time the brothers have invested in our club. Every single member has benefited from their commitment, coaching, expertise and presence whether at training nights in the gym, or from the corner at a tournament or show. This time the roles are reversed and it's all of us in your corner gents. We're all behind you and wish you good health and a speedy recovery. Get well soon gents. Best wishes from all of us at the club.

I'm case you missed the update, Kieran James Glyn Gething didn't lose a round in his contest tonight with 150 fight veteran William Warburton. Warburton is known as a risky fight for anyone to take and has ruined several careers along the way. For those interested in seeing Warburton in action have a look on YouTube at his fight against London prospect Georgie Kean. Well done Kieran.

Good luck to Kieran James Glyn Gething....boxing tonight in Swansea. Updates to follow.

Kieran James Glyn Gething is boxing six rounds against 150 fight veteran William Warburton in Swansea on Saturday 22nd July. Tickets are still available. Best of luck to Kieran from everyone at Pontypool Boxing Club. For further details on tickets please get in touch or message Kieran directly.

I've been doing a bit of research on my familial links to boxing. My great grandfather was Billy Weston, who along with his brother Alf ran the Weston Boxing Booth that toured the South of England as part of a travelling fair back in the early to mid 20th century. They had a stable of pro boxers, who back in those days would earn decent money and get a work out by taking on all comers in the ring. Alf would call out challenges to local hard men asking them to try and last 3 or 6 rounds with one of the boxers. Sometimes, to gee the crowd up or provide the crowd with unrealistic hope, they would sneak one of their boxers into the audience who would masquerade in the crowd and take on and beat the pro. Of course it was a different story when (often drunk) locals tried their skills against the wily professionals. The prize for lasting the distance was £10, a considerable sum of money in the 1940's and 50's. Amongst others, the stable included Santos Martins, "The Black Panther" who had 74 pro fights as a welterweight in the 1950's and in the 1930's my nan can remember Frank Craig, billed as the "Harlem Coffee Cooler". Frank was either born in Ohio in 1868 or NYC in 1870.He went on to have 121 pro fights ftom middleweight to heavyweight.In 1894 he became the "Coloured World Champion" in an era when black men were forbidden from competing for the regular world titles. He moved to London and competed for the British title in 1895, eventually winning a "British World Title when he beat George Chrisp in 1898. By the 1930's he was on the booths as a heavyweight and was fighting all comers at 60 years of age. He took a shine to my nan and would take her out for walks and treat her to sweets and cakes. My nan can recall his exotic nature and New York accent. By all accounts he was a real gent. He died in 1943. I've attached some photos of the booth and some others that Getty Images own. Next time you're in the gym take a look at some of the photos downstairs, there's a very good selection of some of the top fighters who boxed in the UK during the 50's and 60's. The booths had pretty much died a death by the mid 50's. Young pros and ageing pros had to find another way to make some cash and get some training in. Booth boxers would often "fight" 4 or 5 fights a week in addition to their sanctioned contests. Tough men indeed.

Kieron James....We'll done Kieron. Best wishes to Craig Evans. Good luck.