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National ABA title 1980
93rd ABA National Championships
1979 - 1980
Year: 1980
Venue: Wembley Arena, London
Anthony (Tony) Willis 64kg (Rotunda ABC) was to be the only Olympic Medal winner at the 1980 Olympic Games (Moscow, Soviet Union) winning Bronze out of a (9) man team. Nick Wilshire 71kg (National Smelting ABC) had become England's first ever Gold Medalist at the 1980 European Under (19) Championship in Rimini (Italy) and Gold at the 1980. World Under (19) Champions in Yokohama (Japan). James Price 71kg (Holy Name ABC) boxed in the 'Alternative Olympics in 1980 (Nairobi, Kenya) winning a Gold Medal. Mohammed Hanif 57kg (Stockton ABC) also boxed. The Gilbody brothers (Ray 54kg and George 60kg) of St Helen's Star ABC make it a second family double. John Lyons 48kg (Lowe House ABC) makes his first appearance in an ABA National Final. He lost! However John would go and win (8) ABA National titles at 48kg (4) and 51kg (4) (1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989) thus beating the (6) ABA National title record held by John Steers 75kg (3) and 91kg (3) (Middleton ABC) in 1890, 1891, 1892(2), 1893(2)).
KG | Weight | Champion | Finalist | Result |
48 |
Light Fly |
Terry Barker (Repton ABC) |
John Lyon (Lowe House ABC) |
|
51 |
Fly |
Keith Wallace (St Helens Star ABC) |
D.Flynn (Meadowbank ABC) |
RSC (3) |
54 |
Bantam |
Ray Gilbody (St Helens Star ABC) |
James McDonnell (St Pancras) |
RSC (2) |
57 |
Feather |
Mohammed Hanif (Stockton ABC) |
William Buchanan (Lochee BC) |
DIS (2) |
60 |
Light |
George Gilbody (St Helens Star ABC) |
Anthony Bowden (Repton ABC) |
|
64 |
Light Welter |
Anthony Willis (Rotunda ABC) |
J.McAllister (Kingston ABC) |
|
67 |
Welter |
Terry Marsh (Royal Navy) |
Edward Byrne (Leamington Boys ABC) |
|
71 |
Light Middle |
James Price (Holy Name) |
Nick Wilshire (National Smelting ABC) |
|
75 |
Middle |
Mark Kaylor (West Ham ABC) |
D.Parkes (Royal Air Force) |
|
81 |
Light Heavy |
Andrew Straughn (Hitchin Youth ABC) |
DevonBailey (Battersea ABC) |
|
91 |
Heavyweight |
Frank Bruno (Sir Philip Game ABC) |
Rudi Pika (Llandaff BC) |
|
94th ABA National Championships
1980 - 1981
Year: 1981
Venue: Wembley Arena, London
Cameron Lithgrow 71kg (Park Youth ABC) and losing Finalist was to become England's first representative at the World Championships (1982, Munich, West Germany) along with Jeff Decker 60kg (Whitley ABC). Erol Christie 71kg (Standard Triumph ABC) also won a Gold Medal at the Under (19) European Championships in 1982 (Schwerin, East Germany). England's third ever Gold at this event (Billy Lauder 71kg (McTaggart ABC) 1976 and Nick Wilshire 71kg (National Smelting ABC) in 1980. Terry Marsh 67kg (Royal Navy) wins his third and final ABA National title (1978, 1980, 1981).
KG | Weight | Champion | Finalist | Result |
48 |
Light Fly |
John Lyon (Lowe House ABC) |
Anthony Masterton (Repton ABC) |
|
51 |
Fly |
Keith Wallace (St Helens Star ABC) |
D.Williams (Gelligaer BC) |
|
54 |
Bantam |
Peter Jones (Penyrheol BC) |
Robert Jones (Hartcliffe ABC) |
|
57 |
Feather |
Peter Hanlon (Gloucester ABC) |
James Duncan (St Helens Star ABC) |
|
60 |
Light |
George Gilbody (St Helens Star ABC) |
John Samuels (Maindee ABC) |
|
64 |
Light Welter |
Anthony Willis (Rotunda ABC) |
Peter Ahmed (Prince of Wales ABC) |
|
67 |
Welter |
Terry Marsh (Royal Navy) |
Chris Pyatt (Belgrave ABC) |
|
71 |
Light Middle |
Erol Christie (Standard Triumph ABC) |
Cameron Lithgow (Park Youth ABC) |
|
75 |
Middle |
B.Schumacher (Royal Navy) |
A.Feal (Prince of Wales ABC) |
|
81 |
Light Heavy |
Andrew Straughn (Hitchin Youth ABC) |
Dennis Bailey (Battersea ABC) |
|
91 |
Heavyweight |
Adrian Elliott (Fairburn House ABC) |
David Garside (Hartlepool Boys Welfare ABC) |
RSC (2) |
95th ABA National Championships
1981 - 1982
Year: 1982
Venue: Wembley Arena, London
1982 witness the introduction of the new weight class of +91kg (super heavyweight) won by Adrian Elliott (Fairburn House ABC) after winning the 91kg class in 1981. The ABA National Championships would now be contested over (12) weights. John Lyon 48kg (Lowe House ABC) wins the second of his (8) ABA National titles.
KG | Weight | Champion | Finalist | Result |
48 |
Light Fly |
John Lyon (Lowe House ABC) |
John McBride (Repton ABC) |
|
51 |
Fly |
Joe Kelly (Holyrood ABC) |
Joe Dawson (Boston ABC) |
|
54 |
Bantam |
Roy Gilbody (St Helens Star ABC) |
A.Coveley (Repton ABC) |
|
57 |
Feather |
Herman Henry (St Pancras ABC) |
David Kenny (Kirkby ABC) |
|
60 |
Light |
James McDonnell (St Pancras ABC) |
Gary Felvus (Keighley ABC) |
|
64 |
Light Welter |
Anthony Adams (Fitzroy Lodge ABC) |
ClydeMcIntosh (Bell Green ABC) |
|
67 |
Welter |
Chris Pyatt (Belgrave ABC) |
Robert McKenley (Cavendish ABC) |
|
71 |
Light Middle |
David Milligan (Denbeath BC) |
M.Patrick (New Enterprise ABC) |
RSC(3) |
75 |
Middle |
James Price (Holy Name ABC) |
Cy Harrison (Cosmos ABC) |
RSC(3) |
81 |
Light Heavy |
Glen Crawford (Market District ABC) |
Robert Parkes (Repton ABC) |
|
91 |
Heavyweight |
Harold Hylton (Brockworth Viking ABC) |
Horice Notice (Nechells ABC) |
RSC(1) |
+91 |
Superheavy |
Adrian Elliott (Fairburn House ABC) |
Keith Ferdinand (Royal Navy) |
|
96th ABA National Championships
1982 - 1983
Year: 1983
Venue: Wembley Arena, London
Kenny Willis 60kg (Rotunda) joins his brother as National ABA Champion. Anthony Willis 64kg (Rotunda ABC) won in 1980, 1981. John Lyon 48kg swaps clubs (St. Helens Star ABC) to win his third ABA National title.
KG | Weight | Champion | Finalist | Result | |
48 |
Light Fly |
John Lyon (St Helens Star ABC) |
Danny Porter (Hitchin Youth ABC) |
| |
51 |
Fly |
Stephen Nolan (Fisher ABC) |
Patrick Clinton (Croy Miners ABC) |
| |
54 |
Bantam |
John Hyland (St Ambrose ABC) |
Kevin Ward (Tre-Ivor ABC) |
RSC (1) | |
57 |
Feather |
Paul Bradley (Holyrood ABC) |
Kevin Taylor (Middleton & Rochdale ABC) |
| |
60 |
Light |
Kenny Willis (Rotunda ABC) |
Gary Rogers (Tunstall ABC) |
| |
64 |
Light Welter |
David Dent (St Pancras ABC) |
David Griffiths (Splott Adventure ABC) |
| |
69 |
Welter |
Robert McKenley (Cavendish ABC) |
Thomas Campbell (Blantyre Miners ABC) |
| |
71 |
Light Middle |
Rod Douglas (St Georges ABC) |
Johnny Melfah (Gloucester ABC) |
| |
75 |
Middle |
Trevor Forbes (All Stars ABC) |
Brian Schumacher (Royal Navy) |
| |
81 |
Light Heavy |
Anthony Wilson (Wolverhampton ABC) |
Clive Edwards (Moss Side ABC) |
| |
91 |
Heavyweight |
Horice Notice (Nechells ABC) |
Harold Hylton (Brockworth Viking ABC) |
RSC(1) | |
+91 |
Superheavy |
Keith Ferdinand (Royal Navy) |
Gary Williamson (Fitzroy Lodge ABC) |
| |
97th ABA National Championships
1983 - 1984
Year: 1984
Venue: Wembley Arena, London
Robert Wells +91kg (Kingston) would go and become an Olympian in the 1984 Olympics (Los Angeles, USA). He followed in the footsteps of his father, William Wells 91kg (Lynn ABC) who won the ABA National title in 1968 then went to the Mexico City Olympic Games. John Lyons 48kg (Greenhall St. Helens ABC) just keeps on winning (1981, 1982, 1983, 1984).
KG | Weight | Champion | Finalist | Result | |
48 |
Light Fly |
John Lyon (Greenall St Helens ABC) |
Wayne Williams (Trelewis BC) |
| |
51 |
Fly |
Patrick Clinton (Croy Miners ABC) |
John McBride (Repton ABC) |
| |
54 |
Bantam |
John Hyland (St Ambrose ABC) |
David Anderson (Bellahouston ABC) |
| |
57 |
Feather |
Kevin Taylor (Middleton & Rochdale ABC) |
Paul Moylett (Hartcliffe ABC) |
RSC(3) | |
60 |
Light |
Alex Dickson (Larkhall ABC) |
Carl Crook (Army) |
| |
64 |
Light Welter |
David Griffiths (Splott Adventure ABC) |
William Buchanan (Lochee Boys BC) |
| |
67 |
Welter |
Michael Hughes (St Pancras ABC) |
Robert Thomas (Gloucester ABC) |
RSC (3) | |
71 |
Light Middle |
Rod Douglas (St Georges ABC) |
Neil Nunn (Grange Catholics ABC) |
| |
75 |
Middle |
Brian Schumacher (Royal Navy) |
Russell Barker (St Francis ABC) |
| |
81 |
Light Heavy |
Anthony Wilson (Wolverhampton ABC) |
Clive Edwards (Manco ABC) |
| |
91 |
Heavyweight |
Douglas Young (Hawick ABC) |
John Farrugia (Prince of Wales ABC) |
| |
+91 |
Superheavy |
Robert Wells (Kingston ABC) |
Everett McLean (Oxford YMCA ABC) |
| |
98th ABA National Championships
1984 - 1985
Year: 1985
Venue: Wembley Arena, London
John Beckles 81kg (Islington ABC) went on to win a European Bronze Medal at the 1985 Games (Budapest, Hungary), represented England at the World Games 1986 (Reno, USA) and the 1987 European Championships (Athens, Greece).
KG | Weight | Champion | Finalist | Result |
48 |
Light Fly |
Mark Epton (Mexborough Athletic ABC) |
Michael Cantwell (Fisher ABC) |
|
51 |
Fly |
Patrick Clinton (Croy Miners ABC) |
Lee Williams (Battersea ABC) |
|
54 |
Bantam |
Sean Murphy (St.Albans ABC) |
Dean Lynch (Clase ABC) |
RSC (3) |
57 |
Feather |
Floyd Havard (Penyrheol BC) |
John Davison (Grainger Park ABC) |
|
60 |
Light |
EdmondMcAuley (Hogarth ABC) |
Carl Crook (Chorley ABC) |
RSC (2) |
64 |
Light Welter |
Ibby Mustafa (Lynn ABC) |
Mark Elliott (GKN Sankey ABC) |
|
67 |
Welter |
Errol McDonald (Ruddington ABC) |
Edward Kershaw (Mottram & Hattersley ABC) |
|
71 |
Light Middle |
Rod Douglas (St Georges ABC) |
Gary Phillips (Sunderland ABC) |
|
75 |
Middle |
Denys Cronin (Llandbradach BC) |
Alexander McCulloch (Blantyre Miners ABC) |
RSC (3) |
81 |
Light Heavy |
John Beckles (Islington ABC) |
Byron Pullen (Llanharan BC) |
|
91 |
Heavyweight |
Harold Hylton (Viking ABC) |
Robert Parkes (Repton ABC) |
RSC(1) |
+91 |
Superheavy |
Guy Williamson (Fitzroy Lodge ABC) |
N.Rawlins (Royal Navy) |
|
99th ABA National Championships
1985 - 1986
Year: 1986
Venue: Wembley Arena, London
The 1986 Commonwealth team (Edinburgh, Scotland) were to win (5) Gold, (2) Silver and (3) Bronze Medals. John Lyon 51kg (Greenhall St. Helen's ABC), Sean Murphy 54kg (St. Albans ABC), Darren Dyer 69kg (St. Monicas ABC), and James Moran 81kg (Austin ABC) all become Commonwealth Champions. Mark Epton 48kg (Mexborough Athletic ABC) wins a Silver medal with Joseph Jacobs 60kg (Fox ABC), Eric Cardouza 91kg (Kingsthorpe ABC) and James Oyebola +91kg (All Stars ABC) win Bronze Medals.
KG | Weight | Champion | Finalist | Result |
48 |
Light Fly |
Mark Epton (Mexborough Athletic ABC) |
Michael Cantwell (Fisher ABC) |
|
51 |
Fly |
John Lyon (Greenall St Helens ABC) |
Andrew Docherty (Croy Miners ABC) |
|
54 |
Bantam |
Sean Murphy (St Albans ABC) |
John Green (Ardwick ABC) |
RSC (2) |
57 |
Feather |
Paul Hodkinson (Kirkby ABC) |
David Anderson (Bellahouston ABC) |
RSC (3) |
60 |
Light |
Joseph Jacobs (Fox ABC) |
Steven Snagg (Royal Air Force) |
|
64 |
Light Welter |
Jonathan Alsop (Cardiff YMCA ABC) |
D.Eshelby (Wicker Boys ABC) |
|
67 |
Welter |
Darren Dyer (St Monicas ABC) |
Mark Elliott (GKN Sankey ABC) |
RSC (3) |
71 |
Light Middle |
Anthony Velinor (Army) |
J.Butler (Repton ABC) |
|
75 |
Middle |
Nigel Benn (West Ham ABC) |
Johnny Melfah (Viking ABC) |
RSC (3) |
81 |
Light Heavy |
James Moran (Austin ABC) |
Harold Lawson (St Francis ABC) |
|
91 |
Heavyweight |
Eric Cardouza (Kingsthorpe ABC) |
Henry Akinwande (Lynn ABC) |
DIS (3) |
+91 |
Superheavy |
James Oyebola (All Stars ABC) |
Gary McCrory (Consett ABC) |
RSC (2) |
100th ABA National Championships
1986 - 1987
Year: 1987
Venue: Wembley Arena, London
Mark Elliott 67kg (GKN Sankey ABC) was to become an Olympian at the 1988 Games (Seoul South Korea) for Great Britain. His father (an ABA National Finalist, 1962) boxed for Jamaica at the 1964 Games (Tokyo, Japan). John Sillitoe 54kg (Pisces ABC) becomes the first ever 'Channel Islander' to win an ABA National title. John Lyons 51kg (Greenhall St. Helen's ABC) wins his (7th) and record breaking ABA National titles, going on to win (8).
KG | Weight | Champion | Finalist | Result |
48 |
Light Fly |
Mark Epton (Mexborough Athletic ABC) |
Wilson Docherty (Croy Miners ABC) |
|
51 |
Fly |
John Lyon (Greenall St Helens ABC) |
John McLean (Army) |
|
54 |
Bantam |
John Sillitoe (Pisces ABC) |
Michael Deveney (Paisley BC) |
|
57 |
Feather |
Peter English (Gallagher Boys ABC) |
Colin McMillan (Barking ABC) |
|
60 |
Light |
Michael Ayers (All Stars ABC) |
Alan Hall (Darlington ABC) |
|
64 |
Light Welter |
Andy Holligan (Rotunda ABC) |
Richard Bryan (Fitzroy Lodge ABC) |
|
67 |
Welter |
Mark Elliott (GKN Sankey ABC) |
Terry Morrell (Humberside Police ABC) |
|
71 |
Light Middle |
Neville Brown (Burton ABC) |
Winston May (Fairburn House ABC) |
|
75 |
Middle |
Rod Douglas (Broad Street ABC) |
J.Carr (Grangetown ABC) |
|
81 |
Light Heavy |
John Beckles (Fairburn House ABC) |
Harold Lawson (St Francis ABC) |
RSC(2) |
91 |
Heavyweight |
James Moran (Austin ABC) |
Henry Akinwande (Lynn ABC) |
|
+91 |
Superheavy |
James Oyebola (All Stars ABC) |
John Shakespeare (Warley ABC) |
|
101st ABA National Championships
1987 - 1988
Year: 1988
Venue: Wembley Arena, London
ABA National Champions, John Lyons 51kg (Greenhall St. Helen's ABC), David Anderson 57kg (Bellahouston ABC), Charlie Kane 60kg (Antonine ABC) and Henry Akinwande 91kg (Lynn ABC) all become Olympians at the 1988 Olympic Games (Sovel, South Korea). Kevin McCormack +91kg (Coed Eva ABC) wins the first of his (3) ABA National titles (1988, 1990, 1991).
KG | Weight | Champion | Finalist | Result |
48 |
Light Fly |
Michael Cantwell (Eltham ABC) |
Robert Regan (Fleur de Lys ABC) |
|
51 |
Fly |
John Lyon (Greenall St Helens ABC) |
Andrew Docherty (Croy Miners ABC) |
|
54 |
Bantam |
Keith Howlett (Army) |
Michael Ward (Newco Repton ABC) |
|
57 |
Feather |
David Anderson (Bellahouston BC) |
Colin McMillan (Barking ABC) |
|
60 |
Light |
Charlie Kane (Antonine ABC) |
Mark Ramsey (Small Heath ABC) |
|
64 |
Light Welter |
Alan Hall (Darlington ABC) |
J.Talbot (Fisher ABC) |
|
67 |
Welter |
Mark McCreath (Bracebridge ABC) |
R.Wileman (Royal Navy) |
|
71 |
Light Middle |
Wayne Ellis (Cardiff YMCA BC) |
William Neil (Sunderland ABC) |
|
75 |
Middle |
Mark Edwards (Royal Navy) |
Nicky Piper (Penarth BC) |
|
81 |
Light Heavy |
Harold Lawson (St Francis ABC) |
Maurice Core (Moss Side ABC) |
|
91 |
Heavyweight |
Henry Akinwande (Lynn ABC) |
Harold Hylton (Viking ABC) |
|
+91 |
Superheavy |
Kevin McCormack (Coed Eva BC) |
S.Woollaston (Lydney ABC) |
|
102nd ABA National Championships
1988 - 1989
Year: 1989
Venue Wembley Arena, London
Fittingly, in the Centenary year of the Championships, John Lyon's 51kg (Greenhall St. Helen's ABC) wins his eighth (and record breaking) ABA National title (1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989). A record which still stands today.
KG | Weight | Champion | Finalist | Result |
48 |
Light Fly |
Michael Cantwell (Eltham & District ABC) |
Ian Lang (Everton Red Triangle ABC) |
|
51 |
Fly |
John Lyon (Greenall St Helens ABC) |
John McLean (Army) |
|
54 |
Bantam |
Keith Howlett (Army ) |
Marlon Jones (Newco Reception ABC) |
|
57 |
Feather |
Peter Richardson (Philip Thomas School of Boxing ABC) |
John Williams (Pontypool & Panteg BC) |
|
60 |
Light |
Mark Ramsey (Small Heath ABC) |
Jason Matthews (Aberbargoed BC) |
|
64 |
Light Welter |
Alan Hall (Shildon BR ABC) |
Robert McCracken (Birmingham City ABC) |
|
67 |
Welter |
Mark Elliot (Bennetts Bank ABC) |
John Jones (Sefton ABC) |
|
71 |
Light Middle |
Neville Brown (Burton ABC) |
C.Colarusso (Trostre ABC) |
RSC (1) |
75 |
Middle |
SeymourJohnson (Gloucester ABC) |
Harold Wharton (Bass St Patricks ABC) |
DIS (2) |
81 |
Light Heavy |
Nicky Piper (Penarth BC) |
Lee Hudson (Royal Navy) |
|
91 |
Heavyweight |
Henry Akinwande (Lynn ABC) |
Herbbie Hide (Norwich Lads ABC) |
|
+91 |
Superheavy |
Patrick Passley (Lynn ABC) |
William Harewood (Horsley Hill ABC) |
|