Search begins for 23 missing boxers

The search is on for 23 West Midlands fighters who are to be commemorated for their part in making boxing famous at the Shoreditch Town Hall in London.

The Midlands Ex Boxers Association (MEBA) are trying to trace the whereabouts of a list of boxers who appeared at the venue between 22 September 1955 and 28 January 1975.

MEBA have arranged a special ceremony to reunite the 39 men they are looking for and present them with medals during a special ceremony to be conducted by president and former British champion Bunny Johnson at the Portland Pavilion in Edgbaston, Birmingham, on June 4.

Of the list, 23 are from the West Midlands with 12 are from Birmingham, along with five from Coventry, three from Moseley in Warwickshire, two from Nuneaton, Leamington Spa and Retford in Nottinghamshire, with one each from Warwick and Stoke.

The West Midlands boxers are Wolverhampton's Don Bishop, Dave Nelson, Simon Rawlings, Tony Icke, Frank Lannion, Billy Blenevis and Arthur Burley, also Smethwick's Harry and Terry Edwards along with Walsall's Billy Alport and Colin Spittle from Brierley Hill.

The fighters from Birmingham are Graham Thursfield, Ken Cooper, Brian Cartwright, Barry Cowley, Derek Kiburn, Paul Jarrett, Paul Bromley, Jimmy O'Donnell, Tom O'Brian, Barry Coley, Gordon Corbett and John Rushton.

MEBA vice-chairman Paul 'PJ' Rowson said: "Obviously we are aware that a few of these gentlemen may have sadly passed away in the years that have followed since they fought at the Shoreditch Town Hall.

"But, if we could get as many as we possibly can to the ceremony, it would be a lovely day for everybody concerned.

"A lot of effort has gone into this and it would be great if it paid off."

Anybody who knows the whereabouts of any of the listed fighters please call 01299 879 907.