Local coach Gerry’s ‘glove’ affair with ‘Smokin’ Joe’

All Saints Boxing Club coach Gerry Hamill has fond memories of meeting ‘Smokin’ Joe’, the heavyweight legend who died last week after a brief battle with cancer.

Gerry met Frazier during the American’s visit to Northern Ireland in 2003 when he had come at the invitation of Alex Maskey, who has close links with the Holy Family club in Belfast.

“He was a very nice man who had a lot of time for everybody,” Gerry told Times Sport.

“I remember thinking at the time that he wasn’t all that physically big for a heavyweight but his record shows what a good boxer he was.

“He signed two pairs of gloves, one for an auction at an All Saints fight night which raised £300 and which helped both our club and our nominated charity at that time.

“He also signed a second pair for me, a pair of gloves which also has Earnie Shavers’ autograph on them from when he was a guest at one of our functions.

“I felt very honoured to meet Joe Frazier – you’re talking about probably one of the top three heavyweight boxers at a time when there were so many good fighters at that weight, all vying for just one title.

“It was very much a golden era for the sport at that time,” added Gerry.