A credit to the sport:an interview with Tommy Gilmour, M.B.E

counterpuncher · Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 8988 Location: Birmingham

counterpuncher wrote:

It was great to see boxing honoured in the latest awards, with Jane Crouch, Michael Uzebu-Asije (coach of Eastleigh ABC) and Tommy Gilmour all receiving M.B.E's.

I was fortunate enough to conduct an interview with one of Britain's most respected promoters, Tommy Gilmour, on his time in the sport and the current state of British boxing.

Tommy, firstly thank you so much for giving us your time and many congratulations on your deserved recognition. You have been promoting for 35 years now; what is the biggest change that you have seen in that time, for the better?

TG: The biggest one would be that the game has become so much safer, the standards of the medical tests are much better now. In the past it was a joke that to get a fighter to pass his medical, the doctor would just put a mirror in front of his face, you know? The standards now are much better and that is better for the well-being of the fighters.

And the biggest change for the worse?

TG: I think the most negative change has been the decrease in live gates for shows. Back when my grandfather was promoting, he was putting on Area title fights and getting crowds of 10,000 and 12,000. Now, it's much more difficult to sell tickets.

What moment are you most proud of during your long association with the sport?

TG: That would have to be Pat Clinton winning the World title at Kelvin Hall. It was the first World title fight I had promoted, the first fighter of mine to win a World title, and you have to understand, I attended shows there as a kid, my grandfather promoted shows there; people talk about Madison Square Garden and the Albert Hall, but for me, Kelvin Hall was my Madison Square Garden. So to have all those things together, it really was a special night for me.

Tommy your M.B.E came in recognition of your services to the community as well as to boxing. Could you tell us a little about that?

TG: Well, over the years, the St Andrews club has helped to raise over ú300,000 for local charities, so I think that would be a part of it. I'm also involved with the Grant Comittee of the Sports Council in Glasgow. I just try and help out and let people know about the good things going on in the wider community.

Historically, there has been a link between boxing and the community. Do you think that boxing in general does enough for the community?

TG: Thats a difficult question... I can only really speak for myself, I take the attitude that if I can help someone on their way then I will, because, 'there but for the grace of god go we'

I saw in an interview you gave earlier in the year that 'boxing has to work harder' than other sports. What do you mean by this?

Well to go back to the past....30-odd years ago, you had football and boxing which were the poor man's sports, if you will....now there are so many more sports, I mean back in my day I didn't know anyone who played tennis... So I think in boxing we have to work that little bit harder to get shows publicised, we haven't got the same amount of television coverage and money invested in us as some, so we have to do more. I'm sure everyone would love to see fights like the Anderson - Mutley fight, so it's our job as promoters to try and put bouts like that on.

I have a philosophy as a promoter, obviously I want to give my own boys the edge if I can, but at the same time I have to think about the guy sitting out there, who's paid 25 or 40 quid for his seat. He doesn't want to turn up knowing who is going to win before the fight has even started, and if he does then he's less likely to come.

We have a similar situation in the Midlands, we have Errol Johnson and PJ Rowson and Ken Purchase putting on shows, and they have proper competitive bouts, many times I have seen the hometown guy given a real workout, or held to a draw...

TG: Or beaten! I have worked with Errol for a year now, with him matchmaking for me, and he's done a great job. We share the same philosophy, naturally we want to give our own boys the edge but like I say, you have to think of the guy out there who wants to see a competitive fight

So if you had one message to boxing fans it would be to turn up and support their local shows?

TG: definitely! But we have to work to make sure people know what's on, and we have to get out to different areas. Over the last few years, we have put on shows where they haven't had live boxing in 40 and 50 years, we have been out to Kirkcaldy and to Clydebank. I felt like a bit of a missionary but there have been other people out there working hard at it too, there's a fighter of mine Ryan Brawley and every time he has a fight, him and his dad are out on the local streets, getting tickets sold and making sure people know what's on.

And if you had one message for the powers-that-be in the sport, the BBB of C?

TG: It would be to listen to their licenseholders. It's like the Labour Government under Blair, they kept on dictating to people what they should do, but now with Brown coming in they will have to change, its the same with the Board. There's a lot of things going on at the moment, and they are trying to impose decisions on the licenseholders from above, and there is some injustice.

Like the new license fee?

TG: Exactly, I have been one of the most vehement opponents of the new license fee. We understand that the sport has to move into the 21st century, but it's no good being given these dictats from above. The councils have to remember that they are there to represent the best interests of their members, and I think that any changes should come from the bottom up.

So the new fee could be acceptable if you saw the benefits that the fighters would receive from it?

TG: It could be yes, but if there are to be changes there has to be explanation, and justification, and accountability. I will say though I do think that a solution will be found, there have been noises in several places and we are working towards it.

You recently moved the St Andrews club from its famous base at the Albany Hotel (where the Watt-Buchanan fight, amongst many others, was held), to the Raddison Hotel . How has the move been for you?

TG: It's been fantastic, we've had nothing but praise. Remember it's only 200 yards away from the Albany, and it's still right in the middle of Glasgow, so the feel is still the same, we're in high quality surroundings. We have great memories of the Albany, but we have a great future to look forward to here.

Is television good for boxing?

TG: Well, obviously we'd always like to have more shows televised, but overall I'd say it is a good thing. In my past experience in promoting with Matchroom, I've had quite a few fighters who have really benefitted from it, from the exposure and the money. Anything that will put more money on the table and stand to make the fighter's standard of living better, as to be a good thing. As I say, we'd never say no to more televised shows, mind...

Okay, where next for one of my favourite fighters, Kevin Anderson?

TG: Well, obviously the loss to Nuumbebe was disappointing, but we still want to bring Kevin towards a European title challenge. It was disappointing that he moved down the EBU rankings after the loss despite the fact that Nuumbebe is non-eligible for the European title. I have to say, I am writing a book at the moment, and a lot of the strange goings-on have been to do with the EBU...you could look at the Damaen Kelly - Maladrottu fight....I have to say that's one of the plusses of the sport, after so many years in the game nothing surprises me, there's always something to keep you on your toes.

Is there a chance of Kevin fighting Michael Jennings?

TG: Who knows, with the politics and everything. I think Kevin is the best welterweight in Britain right now, and I hope we get the chance to prove it, but we'll have to be patient and see what comes along.

And what's next for Barry Morrison?

TG: I haven't seen him since the Colin Lynes fight, I gave him his cheque that night and he went straight off on his holidays. He'll be back this week and we'll have a chat. I really think the light-welterweight division is the best in Britain right now, you've got Lynes, Daw, Morrison, Mutley, Ted Bami.... If you put them all together it's doubtful any one of them would win more than 2 in a row, Lynes has beaten Morrison, Morrison's beaten Daws, Daws has beaten Lynes, I really think its a special division right now. So we're definitely looking to keep Barry up there in the mix at that level, we'll be looking to get him back in the ring for September.

What about the up-and-coming talent on your books at the moment?

TG: We've got a few fighters coming up, so the future looks bright. We have Gary McArthur (lightweight, 8-0-0) Mark Hastie (light-welterweight, 6-0-0), Ryan Brawley (lightweight, 7-0-0), a guy called Nathan brough who just won his debut (against tough Billy Smith on a Matchroom bill), so we're excited about the way things are going.

and finally, Tommy, what would you say was the state of British Boxing in 2007?

TG: Well, it would be nice to return to the halcyon days as you might call them, with more shows and more people attending them, but that is something we will have to work towards as I say. But generally, I think the state of British boxing is pretty good, the talent is there and there are good fights to be made.

Tommy, thanks so much again for your time and giving us the benefit of your knowledge and experience. It's great that someone with such respect in the sport- your fighters all speak very highly of you and that you give them a fair deal and look after them- it's great that you have been recognised.

So there you have it. I don't think there is anyone in the fight game who would begrudge Tommy his award, indeed it 'couldn't happen to a nicer fella'.

Whilst no names were mentioned, it seems pretty clear that Tommy's philosophy of promoting competitive cards isn't one that is shared by all of his colleagues, so we owe it to him and other promoters like him to support the local shows that they put on. So, support your local promoters and shows, and help to keep live boxing as 'live' as possible.

Interview by Ian Edwards, with thanks to John Macdonald for helping to set it up, and thanks to Tommy for returning my call.

Alf Stewart · Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 6381

great article

counterpuncher · Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 8988 Location: Birmingham

cheers mate 8)

Seer · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Posts: 11681 Location: Alba

Excellent interview, Ian. 8)

Tommy Gilmour is one of the most down-to-earth and nicest guys you could meet!

What a scoop for CP and Boxing Banter!

Well done, mate.. Well done! :wink:

SeelowHeights · Joined: 20 Nov 2005 Posts: 12507 Location: Bolton, England

Superb stuff - very well done!!!

Martin · Posted: June 18 2007, 19:01 PM Post subject:

Excellent interview Ian.

Tommy Gilmour is such a sound bloke.

It's like you know we all say we wish all fighters had Shane Mosley's way of thinking as a fighter.

I wish all promoters had Tommy Gilmours way of thinking as a promoter!

counterpuncher · Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 8988 Location: Birmingham

thanks fellas, martin like i say no names were mentioned but we all know a couple of them who don't have Tommy's approach... :wink:

Orbtastic · Joined: 21 Dec 2005 Posts: 10666 Location: Yorkshire.

Nice one CP.

counterpuncher · Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 8988 Location: Birmingham

cheers mate. he's a top bloke, missed my call and returned it. which i was impressed by, like 'just for little me?' :lol: .

Martin · Posted: June 18 2007, 21:17 PM Post subject:

counterpuncher wrote: thanks fellas, martin like i say no names were mentioned but we all know a couple of them who don't have Tommy's approach... :wink:
Imagine Tommy Gilmour had the money and the stable of 'no name'?

Can you imagine all the fantastic matchups we'd see?

No more opponents we've never heard of like African 'two-a-penny', or American 'semi-retired ex-champ' and so forth...

Seer · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Posts: 11681 Location: Alba

Tommy Gilmour is from a traditional breed of gentlemen IMHO...

He puts sooooo much of his valuable time and effort into every level of the sport and community.

The guy is a diamond, a pure gem! 8)

I've now read CP's interview several times... Each time consolidates the above!

Davieboy · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 505 Location: Clydebank

i was watching a tape of one of my brothers old amatuer fights from 1994 and it was tommy gilmour who presented him with his trophy.

he also promotes a local boxer Gary McArthur who is mentioned in the article. seems to be a top guy all round.

Barryboy · Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Posts: 3536 Location: Glasgow, Scotland

Nice one mate, good to see that, he gets a lot of stick off some folk but seems like a good bloke all the same & I saw a while ago that he arranges for his lads get jobs in a trade so if they can't fight for whatever reason the don't have to worry about where they're next meal is coming from & he doesn't need to do that so thought that was a nice touch on his part.