BOXING IN BISHOPS
So who does not remember the boxing season in Bishops .A
month prior to the boxing tournament practice began – the gloves came out so
did the punching bag and the skipping ropes. The boarders were the most active
with a few day scholars as well.
New boarders were always coaxed to join (they had no idea
what actually would happen once they met a seasoned boxer in the ring.)
Mr Aspi Irani ( ex-India boxer ) was then contacted to come
and referee the bouts. Teachers were the judges and I remember spending long
evenings in the sun (towel on head – a boarder holding an umbrella as well)
while judging bout after bout.
Boys who had boxed before took the practices seriously- ran
the race course and skipped to bring down their weight etc.
The preliminary days so over 25 boys an evening. Mr Roberts,
Mrs Roberts and almost all the residential staff would be present – seated in
the verandah of the old bio lab.
Tea and biscuits and at times juice was served by Yashwant
and Tukaram the two staff room bearers. Aspi Irani would come every evening to officiate-
always in full white- a jovial man who loved Boxing and loved Bishops. His
characteristics – Boxers – Box – Break etc and his smile are so vivid in my
memory. He did not believe in stopping bouts just because a boy was taking a
beating or bleeding – he always winked as if to say- let him learn to take some
punishment – then he would separate them and keep an eye. If there was too much
punishment and a boy was really getting
bashed up he would stop the fight TKO !
On a few occasions when the judges got it wrong and the
results were announced he would lift the winners hand but shake his head as if
to say NO NO NO you judges got it wrong – then he would explain why later.
After every round the boxers would go back to their corner-
the same sponge on everyone’s face – the same towel – the same water. Coming to
think of it now – one boys blood on another boys face!! No one complained – I guess no one noticed and
we had never even heard the words AIDS !
The bouts usually got over by 6.15 so the boards not
involved were sent up early for baths- while the boxers hung around- bathed
later and dodged study – often going to the infirmary etc.
The finals were a big affair – everyone seated- a number of
parents and some old boys – the ring ropes were tightened – the corners looked
fresh and clean . Aspi Irani was reintroduced by the MC- presented with a
bouquet etc. The bouts were evenly contested with the best boxers in the finals.
House points were counted and the boxers were cheered on by their respective
houses .
There were innumerably good and strong boxers over the years
and at each final the best boxer was presented with the BELT- very large belt
indeed – but it was a moment of pride .
Some boxers I remember – Gavin James, Haribabu Boyini, All
the Irani boys, Warren Massey, Sable, The two Inamke brothers,all the Pawar
brothers and cousins,Buttan brothers,Nader , Sydney brothers ,Manoj
Pillay,Sasane ,Jadhav ,Hange,Baxi,Yezdagardi,Nelthropp, Mogre,Pandhare, Shiraz
Rizvi,Sunil Mirchandani,Lionel Fernamdes and his brother, in fact most
Fernandes’s, - The list is endless- there are just so many names I can remember
although there were hundreds of you who boxed with power and skill - so you can free to add I ALSO BOXED TO MY LIST.
Winners at the finals got cups and certificates and became heroes
for the year.
Aspi would speak and so also would Mr Roberts – Aspi was not
the greatest of speakers but he spoke from the heart and when he did there was
no doubt in anyone’s mind that he loved the sport.
Boxing sure made men out of boys and Bishops was one of the
very few schools in India that continued to have boxing for its pupils.
To all those boys who had the courage
to get into the ring I am sure I can say with confidence- I AM SURE YOU DO NOT
REGRET IT .
Cheers boys- God bless..
MG
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