Tommy Taylor: Belter with a big following

Tommy battles with Billy Savage. He “retired” after the bout

THERE was a certain synchronicity between Tommy Taylor’s fight career and my own early years in local journalism.

I was a cub reporter for the Hednesford, Staffordshire, light-heavyweight’s local paper when the outstanding amateur, wearing the Royal Navy’s vest, reached the 1978 ABA finals. He would lose on points to local rival Vince Smith, from Birmingham’s Kyrle Hall club.

“Over-trained for that fight,” Tommy told me this week. “It was a long season and by the time I boxed Vince I was pretty well burnt out.”

Vince recently confided to me about the hard spars he and Tommy engaged in at England training sessions.

“I suppose it was a bit of payback,” Tommy grinned as I relayed the message. “That was the year he went to the Olympics and I went to a multi-nations in Germany, came away with a silver medal. Actually, more countries were at the multi-nations than the Olympics. It was 1980, the year countries were boycotting the Games.”

Rivalry evidently still burns between Taylor and Smith.

Tommy was very much the tight-knit community’s sporting celeb and I wrote many headline articles about him.

I vividly recall an outraged vicar bellowing fire and brimstone when I suggested Tommy and his bride walk under a guard of honour wearing boxing gloves when emerging from their wedding ceremony.

After enduring a sermon over the sanctity of marriage, I gently pointed out to the cleric, who was distinctly hot under the dog collar, that Tommy was not the most God-fearing of souls, nor a regular at his place of worship.

I liked Tommy. He was – and still is – a larger than life character with an infectious sense of humour. Tommy didn’t believe in taking life too seriously.

After a fine unpaid career that saw Tommy represent his country, the pros beckoned. Guided by Ron Gray, he established himself as an accomplished, rugged, brave and hard-hitting customer. He gave value for money and enjoyed success.

What’s more, the boxer was a mighty ticket-seller.

Tommy was a handful and his list of ring victims include Johnny Nelson, later to be crowned world cruiserweight king. The slick Sheffield boxer was outpointed over six rounds at Dudley Civic Hall in 1986.

Tommy won the Midlands title, was beaten by Mark Kaylor in a British eliminator and faced real iron abroad.

World rated Aussie Guy Waters stopped him Down Under in 1987. The same year saw Tommy share the ring with both Rocchigiani bothers – Graciano and Ralf, world champs at light-heavy and cruiser, respectively – in Germany.

Tommy, who drew the curtain on a near eight year and 25 fight career in 1988 after being outpointed by Roy Skeldon in a Midlands title barnstormer, bears no scars – mental or physical – from his previous profession.

Only the flattened nose and bear-like build betrays ring wars.

At the age of 66, he is fit as a fiddle, bright as a button. The glint has not left his eyes.

He is content – and rightly so – with his ring achievements. Talking to the man, it’s evident he was torn, during much of his career, between earning from ring exploits, or earning more as a commercial diver.

The grandfather of four is still involved in the latter and has travelled the world as a result. I caught up with Tommy during a brief visit back home before he jetted to Nigeria where he’s working in the oil industry.

“With the Skeldon fight, I knew I was going back to the diving,” he explained. “Looking back over the years, I made a lot more money from the diving than I would’ve done from a boxing career.

“I wasn’t 100 per cent fit for Skeldon. Mentally, I knew I was going to go back to the diving, even if I’d won the fight.”

“I don’t really have any regrets,” he said. “I sometimes think, ‘would I have been better going with a London based manager?’ But no – overall, no regrets, really. It’s nice to be remembered locally and I’ve met some great people.”

He turned pro in 1980 with a points win over Birmingham dangerman Willie Wright, which, by today’s standards, was a very, very tough baptism.

It was the beginning of a nine fight unbeaten run, yet Tommy – steadily climbing the domestic ladder – inexplicably announced his retirement after outpointing African Billy Savage in ’81.

“I think that was because I went back into diving,” he said of his decision. “I was going through a divorce and just wanted to get away.”

Tommy at his overseas desk today

It would be close to five years before Tommy returned and he wasted little time making his mark. With only one loss in six, he faced Dennis Bailey at Wolverhampton Civic Hall on September 25, 1986, for the vacant Midlands title. The Kettering man was knocked out in four.

“It wasn’t my hardest fight,” Tommy recalled. “I think he was ex-army and I said to my corner, ‘no one from the army has beaten me yet’.”

The opposition was cranked-up after that. Big punching Italian champ Noe Cruciani, unbeaten in 12, seven early, going into the contest, stopped Tommy in six.

In 1987, former British middleweight titleholder Kaylor halted Tommy in four at the Albert Hall.

“Because of the experience he had when we met, I’d say Kaylor was the best,” said Tommy. “I broke my left hand in the first round. Great venue, the Albert Hall and I had a lot of support from my home fans.

“I suppose beating Johnny Nelson was a great night, but he was just starting off. I think if Brendan Ingle hadn’t been in his corner, he wouldn’t have come out for the second round.”

After Kaylor, Tommy took his show on the road. Waters stopped him in four, the Rocchigiani brothers both outpointed him over eight.

“It’s the old saying,” Tommy shrugged. “Abroad, you have to knock them out to get a draw. When I fought Ralf (Rocchigiani), I’d say he beat me on points. His brother, I beat him round the ring. I thought he might have drawn one round.

“Guy Waters, I got a thumb in the eye in the first and that closed my one eye. Overseas, it’s tough unless you’re really up there.”

Away from the sport, Tommy has done very well for himself. And there appears no let-up to his hectic schedule.”

“I said I’d retire this year, but, now, maybe I’ll retire next year,” he laughed.

Or maybe the year after that.