LLOYD HONEYGHAN is one of the most distinguished world champions. He has been injured in a car accident, and is now housebound. Carers are caring for him.
The man who caused the greatest upset in the 80s when he went to Atlantic City to smash Don Curry, the unified welterweight champion, to a six-round loss hasn't lost his fighting spirit.
Don Curry (left) was defeated by Lloyd Honeyghan, 1986
Honeyghan is determined to attend his trainer Bobby Neill’s funeral on March 10, even though he only leaves Croydon when an ambulance arrives.
Lloyd, 61, did not know Bobby had died at 88 from leukaemia last week until I called him to inform him.
He was devastated, and I could see it. The bond between a fighter's long-time trainer and him is unbreakable.
They spend many weeks in camp together, which leads to them getting into each others' heads.
Lloyd was shocked and said, "You have surprised me." Bobby and me were a great team, and I loved the man.
"We worked so well together, and unlike other trainers, he allowed us to be ourselves.
"My legs aren't working any longer, but I know I can find a way for me to show my appreciation by attending his funeral. Wheelchair or not. Even if I need to hire a private ambulance to get me there,
I was there 36 years ago when Honeyghan and Curry fought.
The American was unbeaten and had just signed a multimillion-dollar contract with Marvin Hagler for a fight. He was considered the best pound-for-pound in the world.
Neill devised the strategy for how Curry could be defeated, which Lloyd executed brilliantly to the letter.
Most of Britain's best trainers are great at getting fighters in the ring in top condition.
Neill, a Scot born in Edinburgh, was more than a conditioner.
He was a great teacher of the Noble Art, and perhaps the best boxing coach this country has ever seen.
He was greatly admired across the Atlantic by legends Manny Steward, Angelo Dundee and Eddie Futch.
Bobby did not seek the spotlight, and his death is likely to go unnoticed.
One night in 1960, I was the night news editor at the Daily Herald. A Press Association message stated that Bobby Neill, British featherweight champion and knocked out by Terry Spinks in the 14th round, had fallen. He was rushed to Wembley General Hospital with a blood clot in his brain.
I sent a reporter to hospital to inform me that Neill was in a coma. He wasn't expected to survive.
Bobby would go against medical science, and many years later, he would become my personal friend.
Neill quit boxing and began to train others.
He was able to steer Johnny Pritchett, Alan Rudkin and Vernon Sollas towards British titles. In the same time, he made Alan Minter world champions and made Honeyghan world champions.
Tomorrow night, Josh Taylor will defend his four titles as the unified world lightweight champion against Jack Catterall at Glasgow.
I hope that the crowd will have the chance to pay tribute to Bobby's legacy and memory by tolling the ten bells.
He deserves nothing less.
Did you miss our previous article...
https://secondsaway.co.uk/boxing/oleksandr-usyk-the-champ-returns-to-ukraine-to-get-ready-for-anthony-joshuas-rematch
