History of Langold ABC
Nottinghamshire - England
Founded in 1957 formerly known as Firbeck Main ABC until 1966

Langold ABC which was formerly called Firbeck Main ABC was founded in 1957 by Ernie Baker and Bill Bonser. Ernie Baker was National Coal Board boxing champion 1955 and 1956 and had over 200 contests as an amateur. He was only knocked out once and that was by the great Liverpool ABA Middleweight Champion Frank Hope it was a very successful boxing club boxing in many places in England. In 1958 we organised a team match with Kings Lynn Regis ABC, Billy Bonser took seven boxers to the show he got a report back saying Firbeck Main ABC was the best visiting club to have boxed there. Six out of the seven boxers from Firbeck won that night, Billy Bonser’s son Brian Bonser won National Coal Board Championship in 1963 at Welterweight. I won Junior ABA Championships and National Association of Boys Clubs titles myself on 9th March 1957 and 25th March 1957. In the Junior ABA Final at the Royal Albert Hall in London I boxed J W Blower of West Hendon ABC – London, in the National Association of Boys Clubs Tournament I boxed at the Liverpool Stadium I boxed against Brian Hiscocks of Reading ABC – London on 9th March 1957. The year after I boxed Brian Hiscocks he went on to win the Junior ABA at Welterweight. When I won those two titles I was then boxing for Enfield House ABC in Doncaster the trainer was Malcolm Woodcock brother of the famous Bruce Woodcock he fought for a version of the World Professional Heavyweight Title. When I boxed at the Royal Albert Hall London Billy Thompson of Hickelton Main ABC was in my corner. Billy was European Lightweight Champion and British Empire Champion I was very privileged to have been brought up in the company of these people.

Langold ABC was founded in 1979 it has provided some good young boxers boxing in various places in England. We train three times a week a The Corner Pocket Snooker Centre, Langold we have had some terrific boxing tournaments there the Nottingham and Lincolnshire ABA say it is one of the best boxing tournaments when we hold our shows there. ABA Officials say we never have any trouble there. Other boxers that are making a name for themselves are Steve Turnbull, Steve has had two bouts winning both in the first round he has very fast hands and punches really hard for a young 16 year old – weight 68 kgs. I also have two young Heavyweight boxers who train with us one is 15 years old and the other 16 years old – the 15 year old is called Dimetrious he comes from Corfu in Greece his weight is 105 kgs. The other heavyweight that I have got is George Lane – 106kgs. We also have at this moment six registered boxers and quite a few others in training to be registered for the new season.

Terry Lavin – Langold Boxing Club – 01909 732530