Inverness boxing coach Redfern awarded medal for competing at Liverpool Stadium
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Inverness City Boxing Club head coach Laurie Redfern has received a medal for boxing in Liverpool – 51 years after competing.
The Merseyside Former Boxers Association awarded the commemorative medal to all athletes who boxed at the Liverpool Stadium, which closed in 1985.
Before being replaced by the Echo Arena, it was a hub of activity – hosting concerts, political hustings and most importantly for Redfern, boxing tournaments.
It played host to the likes of John Conteh as he defended his light heavyweight title, and now Redfern has his own recognition for being an active part of the venue’s history.
“I never ever looked for the medal,” Redfern said.
“I probably got a medal then, but this is a different type of medal now, a commemorative one to remember everybody who boxed there.
“I didn’t know anything about it until I got one.
“I wasn’t expecting it. That made it even better I suppose.”
Redfern is actually not the first member of his own family to have something to show for competing in Liverpool, as his daughter Lorna was part of the first ever all-women’s international bout, representing the armed forces.
In her case, it was at the newer Echo Arena, but that both father and daughter have made their impact in Liverpool is a point of pride for Redfern.
“Lorna has already stamped her authority on the Echo Arena in Liverpool – Lorna is born and bred in Scotland, but she managed to box in the new stadium as well,” he explained.
“Lorna was ABA champion of Great Britain, she won that for the armed forces.
“She was the first Scottish girl to win the ABA title, which always takes place down in London. That was in 2011.
“People go on about ‘like father, like son,’ but in my case it’s like father, like daughter.”
Read the full edition of today's Inverness Courier here.
