The week prior to the bout Fred had been badly bruised in a car accident, yet not only did he climb through the ropes to take on Lake but also gave a good account of himself, landing some nifty punches to the champion's jaw.

Bugler Lake was none too happy about this and at one stage turned to the referee, Jimmy Wilde, asking who was  giving "this ruddy exhibition, him or me?".

The bout was part of a programme organised by Mr D C Keating and held in aid of the Gosport War Memorial Hospital.  The Evening News reported the following day that "Gosport boxing fans crowded the New Barracks Gymnasium last night to show their appreciation of one of the best programmes that has been staged on that side of the harbour for many a long day."

Boxing extracts by courtesy of Ron Brown
and The News, Portsmouth










 

Fred carried on boxing into his late thirties and continued to promote the sport in Gosport.  He died in 1969.


The business continued in the hands of Fred's son John and grandsons.  Before he died, Fred saw a huge technical advance in the British shoe industry, and the going got tuf . . .

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