Norman Eshley. One time hubby of Millicent Martin, the estate agent next door in George and Mildred.
I fixed his GT6 for him ( clutch swap etc.).
Strange guy.
I think Bugner was (in his prime) a better boxer than he was given credit for. Defensive yes, a big unit, definitely. Always seemed like a decent chap.
This got me reading and remembering though. Our 'Entry got stiffed by Lloyds because, as a 'Name' he was open to unlimited losses if/when the insurance market went tits up...which it did. Of course, those inside the Lloyds tent didn't have the same exposure. Happily, apart from eyebrows which split if you winked at them, Cooper survived the fight game pretty much intact and seemed to get his finances back together with a bit of a media career.
Bugner went off to Australia and started a vineyard that went bust and so he had to start fighting again and, probably went on a bit too long.
Apparently he died in a nursing home, which, at his age, suggests he didn't survive unscathed.
Many years ago an old guy I knew used to go on about JB. Reckoned he was the great white hope, very aggressive and a big puncher, but lost his drive after killing that guy. Thinking about it, Eubank was the same after maiming Watson...
Taipan wrote: Mon Sep 01, 2025 5:40 pm
Many years ago an old guy I knew used to go on about JB. Reckoned he was the great white hope, very aggressive and a big puncher, but lost his drive after killing that guy. Thinking about it, Eubank was the same after maiming Watson...
I saw a program a while ago when Eubank met Watson. Was touching.
I remember listening to the cooper Bugner fight on the radio Harry Carpenter was, unusually very one sided and on Henrys side, Phrases like how can they take his title away fom him ring out still in my memory Bugner was always a little lazy, not getting stuck in was his speciality more of a spoiler fighter, though Hats off to any of the fighters who get in a ring. Bugner did seem a nice chap in the end. RIP
Taipan wrote: Mon Sep 01, 2025 5:40 pm
Many years ago an old guy I knew used to go on about JB. Reckoned he was the great white hope, very aggressive and a big puncher, but lost his drive after killing that guy. Thinking about it, Eubank was the same after maiming Watson...
I saw a program a while ago when Eubank met Watson. Was touching.
I saw that. Watson forgave him and Eubank cried. It was very moving.