The magazine of the art-form of the photo-essay
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April 2015 back issue
by Damian Bird
This photo-essay (shot in Belfast, Northern Ireland, over the 12th, 13th and 14th of March 2015), covers the 25th year
of competition between London’s legendary Repton Boxing club and The Dockers ABC based in Belfast, NI.
The event developed out of a life long friendship between Repton’s Tony Burns’ MBE and The Docker’s Paddy
Fitzsimons who met and boxed each other as young men and then went on to be the chief trainers of their respective
clubs.
Repton Boxing Club is located in Bethnal Green in London’s East End. The Boxing Club grew out of Repton Boys Club,
which was established in 1884 by Repton Public School as a way of giving support and encouragement to the young
men in one of England’s poorest communities. The club has proved successful both nationally and internationally,
from schoolboy level to Olympic Gold and World Champion with boxers such as: John H Stracey, Maurice Hope,
Olympians Micky Carter, Billy Taylor, Dave Odwell, Graham Moughton, Gary Barker, Sylvester Mitte, Audley Harrison
and Tony Cesay to name a few.
Over the years the club has been home to over 500 champions and has gained the title of the “Strongest Boxing Club
in the UK and Europe”.
Dockers ABC has been in existence for over 25 years and draws its membership from the nearby New Lodge/Antrim
Road and Tigers Bay/ Shore Road areas. It has operated successfully throughout the worst years of the troubles and
regularly participates and hosts transnational competitions at all levels.
Fight night between Repton and Dockers fighters in the Titanic Centre, central Belfast.
Looking focussed. Repton boxers travelling from the airport to their hotel, Belfast.
The trainers on the coach from the airport to the hotel in Belfast.
Repton boxers prepare in the gym, the morning of the fight. Belfast.
Repton boxers stretching, post-workout. The morning of the fight in the Belfast gym.
Stretching.
Repton boxers stretching as a team, post-workout and pre-fight-night.
Pre fight-night.
Ten minnutes before the fight a Repton boxer massages his teammate’s shoulders.
Warm-up in the Titanic Centre, Belfast. A few moments before the fight.
Repton fighter makes his entrance before his fight (with legendary trainer Gary McCarthy).
Gary McCarthy prepares his fighter in the ring.
Repton boxer in the fight-zone.
Repton boxer on his way to victory.
Gary McCarthy cooling off his fighter with a refreshing spray. One round to go.
Right hook.
Disentanglement before Repton victory.
A lucky break for the Dockers.
Chairman of Repton Boxing Club, David Robinson, shares boxer’s post-fight victory.
