Ringnews24.com: For those boxing fans out there who don’t know, could you explain what an Ex-Boxers Association is about and what is the main purpose of your association?
Paul Nutting: The Central (Midlands) Ex Boxers Association is a benevolent organisation, formed to generate funds and give assistance to ex boxers and their families within the Midlands region. Although formed primarily to give assistance to members of the boxing community, CEBA will endeavour to give assistance to other charities and good causes as and when required.
Ringnews24.com: When did the association start and could you give us a brief history of your organisation?
Paul Nutting: The CEBA was formed in November 2011. Most of the officers of the association had held similar positions, and after becoming rather disillusioned with another organisation, decided to form a new EBA.
Ringnews24.com: Could you tell us what your role is within the ex-boxers association, and what duties do you perform?
Paul Nutting: I am currently the Secretary of CEBA. As well as assisting in the running of the Association with my fellow officers, I am responsible for producing minutes from meetings and dealing with online enquiries. I also oversee our website and Facebook page.
Ringnews24.com: How long have you been involved with the ex-boxers association?
Paul Nutting: I was involved with a previous organisation for six years, and was a founder member of CEBA last year.
Ringnews24.com: How often do you have meetings and who can attend them?
Paul Nutting: We currently hold six meetings a year, and any member of the CEBA is entitled to attend.
Ringnews24.com: Ex-Boxer Associations often host dinner awards. Can you explain what happens at these dinners and who can attend them?
Paul Nutting: We do not have any plans to host dinner awards, as the BBBoC Midlands Area Council host an awards dinner every year. I believe they are the only area council to do this, and most of our members choose to attend. London Ex-Boxers Association host an excellent annual awards dinner and our officers usually attend to show our support for the LEBA.
Ringnews24.com: Do you have to be a former boxer to join the association?
Paul Nutting: No, membership is not restricted to only members of the boxing community.
Ringnews24.com: How does a fan become a member of your club? Are there any criteria that need to be met?
Paul Nutting: Membership is available to anyone, male or female. There is a downloadable membership application form available on our website for those who are interested.
Ringnews24.com: How much does it cost to join an ex-boxer association?
Paul Nutting: The cost varies. Our subscription is currently £5.00.
Ringnews24.com: Do you produce a newsletter covering what is happening in the association, and how can a fan become a subscriber?
Paul Nutting: Yes, we produce six newsletters per year, which all members receive.
Ringnews24.com: Roughly how many members do have at present?
Paul Nutting: We are a fledgling EBA and only have around 35 members at present. Our target is to have 100 members on board by the end of the year.
Ringnews24.com: Do you visit other associations?
Paul Nutting: We try to visit LEBA at least twice a year, and this year we hope to visit the Scottish EBA for their Hall of Fame Awards ceremony.
Ringnews24.com: Who is your favourite fighter from your association area and why?
Paul Nutting: Our President Bunny Johnson was a great boxer. He’s also one of boxing’s Mr Nice Guys.
Ringnews24.com: What is your favourite fight from your association area and why?
Paul Nutting: Steve Saville vs Baz Carey for the Midlands Area lightweight title springs to mind. It was a real toe-to-toe battle. Steve won by way of TKO in the 7th round. The fight was promoted by our Vice Chairman Paul ‘PJ’ Rowson at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall.
Ringnews24.com: What is your favourite memory of boxing from your association area?
Paul Nutting: It was probably as a child when Henry Cooper fought Jack Bodell at Wolves’ Molineaux Stadium for the Commonwealth Title. Henry won by way of TKO in the 2nd round so the fight didn’t last long, but the whole of Wolverhampton seemed to be ‘buzzing’ that we had been chosen to stage such a fight.
Ringnews24.com: How do you think boxers of today compare with fighters of the past?
Paul Nutting: That’s a tough one. It’s difficult to compare sportsmen from different eras in any sport. I think there is little doubt that the heavyweight division of today doesn’t capture the public’s imagination compared to years gone by. But I personally think that certain present day boxers would compare favourably in any era. Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr and Miguel Cotto all spring to mind.
Ringnews24.com: What has been the biggest change in boxing today compared to the past in your opinion?
Paul Nutting: Probably the increase in weight divisions, along with the ever increasing number of so called ‘world’ titles on offer. In the 1950s there were around eight world champions at any one time, now there are closer to fifty in at least seventeen weight classes.
Ringnews24.com: Thanks for talking to us.
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