The Tribune

THE Tower Bridge Leonardo Hotel in London on September 29 was the scene of a grand ball organised by the Commonwealth Boxing Council (CBC), on the occasion of its 70th anniversary.

Topping the festivities were award presentations honouring legendary Bahamian boxer Gomeo Brennan, 85, and former longtime CBC secretary Simon Block. 

Bahamas Boxing Commission chairman Fred Sturrup was on hand for the celebrations and accepted the honorary award on behalf of Brennan.

“I bring greetings from our Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon. Mario Bowleg, and express appreciation to the CBC on his behalf, Gomeo’s and the entire boxing fraternity in The Bahamas.

“Gomeo was his country’s first international boxing title holder. He won the British Empire (Commonwealth) Boxing Middleweight Title in 1963, by defeating Briton Mickey Leahy, and recaptured the crown after losing it, by knocking out Canadian Blair Richardson in 1965.

“Gomeo was a quality athlete, inside and outside of the ring, and he greatly enhanced the image of his country, and we are grateful for his achievements,” said Sturrup.

Brennan was one of the top-ranked world middleweight fighters throughout the late 1950s and the 1960s. During the latter part of his career, he moved up to the light heavyweight division, fought Vicente Rondon for the World (*WBA) light heavyweight title in 1971 and lost. His career started in 1956 and ended in 1972 with a record of 84 wins, 21 defeats and seven draws.

Block called Brennan a “great representative” of the Commonwealth and one the CBC has always been proud to be associated with.

Brennan still resides in Miami. He moved to Florida from Bimini, when he launched his professional career in 1956. He was the boxing “title” pacesetter for his country. 

Following in his footsteps were world champions (WBC junior middleweight) Elisha Obed and Freeman Barr (IBO middleweight title); Ray Minus (Commonwealth bantamweight title), Steve Larrimore (Commonwealth light welterweight title), and Jermain Mackey (Commonwealth super middleweight title); and Sherman “Tank” Williams, Meacher Major and Elkina Saunders and 

Rashield Williams who won regional boxing titles. 

At the CBC event, Block was saluted for his great contribution to the CBC over several decades. A large group of former Commonwealth champions attended the event and were called to the stage to be acknowledged.

Among the past champions present was John Conteh, the former Commonwealth and World Light Heavyweight Champion. In 1973, Sturrup, representing Angelo 

Dundee, took Baby Boy Rolle to Nottingham, England to challenge Conteh for the Commonwealth crown. Rolle lost a spirited 15-round decision. At the Tower Bridge Hotel on CBC Anniversary night, Sturrup and Conteh reminisced about the title bout, 51 years ago.

The chief organizer of the event was Debbie Down, the current CBC secretary. In appreciation of her efforts, representatives from member countries brought national gifts, which were presented to her.

The anniversary affair followed the annual general meeting of the CBC, which took place on September 28.