“Being the son of a rag-and-bone man, I had to pinch myself being among all these superstars,” says 90-year-old Fred Little, who enjoyed a remarkable career overseeing some of the biggest nights in professional boxing.
As well as being brought into contact with the likes of Tyson Fury, Frank Bruno and Ricky Hatton, Fred, originally from Barton Hill, Bristol, also worked in security for big stars such as Tom Jones.
As a boxing inspector, overseeing safety, regulations and medical standards, one of his standout memories came in Las Vegas, where he watched Roy Jones Jr take on Antonio Tarver in an atmosphere he described as “unbelievable”.
Now, as he celebrates his 90th birthday, Fred is reflecting on a remarkable life that has taken him from wartime Bristol to top-flight boxing.