Former opponents remember fighter with ‘smile on his face’ who was as ‘tough as a backdoor being kicked in by police’
Former boxer Paul Wesley has died aged 63.
Birmingham has lost one of its true boxing warriors following the death last week of Paul Wesley aged 63.
In truth, the news wasn’t unexpected. I was aware Paul, who fought for the British light-middleweight title, was engaged in a grim battle with illness.
That doesn’t lessen the impact of the message.
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The city has lost an old-school gladiator who, in a 71 bout, 16-year career, faced an unbelievable, seemingly never-ending stream of truly top fighters.
His CV is a who’s who of champions, filled with such illustrious names as Rod Douglas, Wally Swift Jnr, who outpointed him for the Midlands belt, Neville Brown, Tony Collins, Antonio Fernandez – they met for the Midlands middleweight belt – world champ Sumbu Kalamby, Chris Pyatt, Howard Eastman, Harry Simon, Geoff McCreesh, Tony Dodson, David Starie, Glenn Catley, Steve Collins…
He held a stand-out, one round win over future British champ Neville Brown in 1991. Brown stopped Paul three months later. He fought for the Midlands title four times.
In his biggest bout, Paul lost on points to fellow Brummie Robert McCracken, with the Lonsdale Belt on the line, at Aston Villa Leisure Centre in 1995.
Film buffs have seen Paul on the big screen and not realised it. He featured in the 1997 Daniel Day-Lewis film, The Boxer.
His is a record crammed with the names of British, even world, titleholders. You have to be a very hard man to swim and survive in such deep waters.
Paul, who turned to the car repair trade after boxing, was a hard man, but never surly.
Today, I scan his near unbelievable record and realise Wesley was capable of achieving so much more. Sadly, the boxer plied his trade during an era – 1987 to 2003 – when Birmingham boxers occupied the away corner on major promotions. Even the best had to fight with odds stacked against them.
Talent was rarely nurtured.
Wesley, guided by Nobby Nobbs, was never wrapped in cotton wool.
Well-known Birmingham fight figure Jason Lowe – trainer and MC – summed-up the man: “Paul was as tough as a backdoor being kicked in by police.
“He was one boxing’s unsung heroes and a really nice guy. It’s a very sad loss.”
Top trainer Max McCracken said: “Paul was a real nice man and very good fighter, underrated. My brother Rob fought him for the British title in a close fight. It’s very sad, he will be missed by a lot of people. Well-respected in boxing and by all who knew him.”
Fight legend Peter Buckley, the top man in Nobby Nobbs’ gym, said: “Watch his fight with Steve Collins – he put up a great fight, he was world class on his day. Always gave a good account of himself.”
Glenn Catley, former world champ, said: “So sorry to hear this sad news. I will always remember our fight together as one of the toughest contests I ever had.”
Top Wolverhampton trainer Richie Carter said: “That’s terrible news. He was a great fighter back in the day. Paul on his night would give a lot of top lads a hard night’s graft.”
Tony Swift, former fighter and brother of British champ Wally, said: “Paul was a real decent fighter who never really got the breaks. Sparred rounds with him at Nobby’s gym, as did Wally Jnr, who Paul lost to in a close fight before Wally Jnr won the British title. Paul was always respectful and had a smile on his face.”
Paul Wesley was part of a dying breed – a boxer prepared to face anyone, anywhere at whatever notice. And he was capable of dragging the best out of the very best.
A tribute night to the fighter will be staged at The Digby, Erdington, on Saturday night, February 14.