News
🥊 A Champion’s Belt Returned – 56 Years Later 🥊
On Thursday 6th November, the West Wellbeing team were delighted to welcome John Gray, Northern Ireland Secretary for the British Boxing Board of Control, who helped track down and return a long-lost piece of local sporting history — the 1968 Northern Ireland Area Featherweight Championship belt won by Jim McAuley.
Jim, a well-known local boxer, claimed the title in March 1969 and held it proudly for almost a decade, but for reasons lost to time, he never received his championship belt. More than half a century later, after a request from Gerard Mallon of West Wellbeing, John Gray began an incredible search to locate the missing prize. His efforts paid off when he discovered the last remaining belt in an East Belfast garage.
John also reached out to Miles Templeton, the official historian of the British Boxing Board, who compiled a remarkable book chronicling Jim’s boxing career and the vibrant Belfast boxing scene of the 1960s and 70s.
At a small gathering, John presented Jim with both the belt and the book — a deeply emotional and long-overdue recognition of his achievements. Also in attendance were Micky Hawkins from Holy Trinity Boxing Club and local politician Alex Maskey, who himself boxed at Jim’s local club, Holy Family in North Belfast.
Reflecting on the moment, John Gray said,
“It was a privilege to be present when these items were awarded to Jim last night. I presume a delay of 56½ years must be some sort of record!”
A truly special evening celebrating not only a local boxing hero but also the power of community, memory, and perseverance.
On Thursday 6th November, the West Wellbeing team were delighted to welcome John Gray, Northern Ireland Secretary for the British Boxing Board of Control, who helped track down and return a long-lost piece of local sporting history — the 1968 Northern Ireland Area Featherweight Championship belt won by Jim McAuley.
Jim, a well-known local boxer, claimed the title in March 1969 and held it proudly for almost a decade, but for reasons lost to time, he never received his championship belt. More than half a century later, after a request from Gerard Mallon of West Wellbeing, John Gray began an incredible search to locate the missing prize. His efforts paid off when he discovered the last remaining belt in an East Belfast garage.
John also reached out to Miles Templeton, the official historian of the British Boxing Board, who compiled a remarkable book chronicling Jim’s boxing career and the vibrant Belfast boxing scene of the 1960s and 70s.
At a small gathering, John presented Jim with both the belt and the book — a deeply emotional and long-overdue recognition of his achievements. Also in attendance were Micky Hawkins from Holy Trinity Boxing Club and local politician Alex Maskey, who himself boxed at Jim’s local club, Holy Family in North Belfast.
Reflecting on the moment, John Gray said,
“It was a privilege to be present when these items were awarded to Jim last night. I presume a delay of 56½ years must be some sort of record!”
A truly special evening celebrating not only a local boxing hero but also the power of community, memory, and perseverance.
