Boxing is in the blood for former Cookstown man, 83

Dave Reynolds, now in his eighties, left Cookstown in 1949 and lives in the picturesque Lake District area.

Mr Reynolds called to the MAIL office to share some memories of his life in boxing, during which he met US champion Larry Holmes and Clones Cyclone Barry McGuigan.

Dave also has close links with the family of Amir Khan, who became Britain’s youngest Olympic hero at the age of 17, and was president of Khan’s local amateur boxing assocation.

Dave contacted the paper following the death last year of Clonoe boxing legend, Frank Gervin, who had visited Dave and his boxers on a number of occasions.

Describing Mr Gervin as “a gentleman, superb in the field of boxing”, Dave also told how he has fond memories of the times the pair shared at sporting events both in England and at home in Cookstown.

In his younger years, Dave worked in Donnelly’s Butchers at Molesworth Street in the town, and took up boxing at the age of 12.

Not one for resting on his laurels in recent years, Dave, who has held the President position with East Lancs, East Cheshire, Cumbria and Isle of Man Amateur Boxing Association, as well as being a panel judge, referee, trainer and adjudicator for England, has also enjoyed a promising career as a water-skiing instructor.