"I Will Never Forget The Night That....."

From time to time I will be sharing my personal memories of boxing nights that will never be forgotten. Not just for the action that my have taken place place between the ropes, but events outside those ropes that added to the enjoyment/drama. Lets get cracking...

EPISODE 1

THE NARK IN THE PARK. MARCH 12TH 1998, STANLEY PARK, LIVERPOOL

WBU LIGHT WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

CHAMPION, SHEA NEARY v CHALLENGER, ANDY HOLLIGAN

Official Fight Poster

For those of you who may not know, at this time I was a key member of Liverpool based Boxing Promoters, Munro & Hyland Bros. promoters of Shea Neary. Without listing my full duties it's fair to say there wasn't much that didn't come under my remit of Office Manager. Writing and designing the fight programmes, posters, organising press conferences, weigh ins, travel and accommodation, selling the tickets, the list goes on. We were a small tight knit team and I loved every minute of it. You will understand therefore how anyone with that level of involvement could become totally invested in the desire to see the promotions, and the boxers involved, succeed. To bring this particular event to fruition would require a supreme effort from everyone in the company. The challenges faced would be both enormous, and some of them, well let's say not your average everyday challenges!

SHEA NEARY

'The Shamrock Express' as he was known, was undoubtedly one of the most exciting fighters in Britain at this time. Since making his debut in 1992 Shea has built a record of 18-0 with 15 of them by KO. Yes, 'The Shamrock Express' did not like to hang around!

Shea lifted the Vacant WBU World Light Welterweight Title in the red hot atmosphere of Everton Park Sports Centre, Liverpool in October of 96. His fight with American Darryl Tyson proved to be a gruelling affair with the wiley Tyson showing all his experience and ringcraft. He lost nothing in defeat and in fact gained many admirers after becoming the first man to share the ring with Neary and hear the final bell that signalled the end of the 12th round.

The first defence of that title would take place in April 97. Back at the same venue,

Neary' KO streak restored with a demolition of brave South African Jeremiah Malinga. The difference in size between Neary and Malinga was notable from the start, so it was no surprise when that proved too much as Malinga succumbed to the third round KO.

July Just a few months prior to Neary winning his WBU World Title in 96,another favourite fighting son of Liverpool had entered the ring at York Hall, he was a man on a mission.

ANDY HOLLIGAN

July 13th 1996, another much loved Liverpool fighter Andy 'The Hunter' Holligan climbed through the ropes at the iconic York Hall Bethnal Green. The British Title was at stake, his previous attempt at lifting the coveted 2 years earlier had ended very badly with a savage KO loss to Ross Hale. A proud fighting man, Andy wasn't to be denied this time.

The Champion across the ring, Paul 'Scrap Iron' Ryan. The bell rang and just 129 seconds later that Belt was going back to Liverpool safe in Andy's arms. He was back with a bang and into the bargain had exorcised the demons of that Hale defeat.

His return to action would be in April the following year and resulted in a convincing 8 rounds points victory over Rimvydas Bilius, and ring rust nicely dusted off.

Bigger things lay ahead though as by now, the drums were already beginning to beat, their message, 'We need to get two of Liverpool's finest facing each other in that ring'

It would take nearly 12 months to make the wishes of the supporters of both fighters become a reality, but boy would it be worth the wait!

THE CIRCUS COMES TO TOWN

1998 the Liverpool Echo Arena was still a pipe dream. Construction would eventually commence in 2005, with the building, which is now of course known as the M&S Arena, opening it's doors for the first time in January 2008.

Prior to 1998 most of our promotions had taken place in Everton Sports Centre and other such venues. It was clear that something like this wouldn't suffice for Neary v Holligan, such was the interest. So, brainstorming session activated. The suggestion was made 'Let's get a massive tent' ( the actual scouse narration of this may have been a bit more colourful at the time! ) and erect it in Stanley Park. Stanley Park as most people will know is the area that divides the city's two football clubs, Everton FC and neighbours Liverpool FC.

All agreed and a marquee company was commissioned to erect a marquee that would hold 5,500 fans. Permission was granted for the marquee to be erected on the large car park situated in the park, the date was set for March 12th 1998.

The Nark In The Park was edging closer.

WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?

Holligan | Neary

The news hit the press and, across the city and further afield, excitement was reaching fever pitch. Two quality fighters from the same city contesting the World Title in such unique circumstances, the stuff of dreams. Then along came something that threatened to turns all those dreams to dust.

It may have been something like a couple of weeks or less prior to fight night, I'd nipped out the office for some much needed lunch and fresh air. On my return I entered the office to be greeted by two Merseyside Police detectives who wanted to 'have a word'!

Now at this particular time in the city there was sadly a lot of trouble going on between certain factions of what some would call the darker side of Liverpool society. The officers informed me that they had grave concerns that certain people, should they meet each other at the event, would, to put it lightly, not be best pleased and therefore they felt the chances of trouble were very high. They then asked did I have a list of everyone who had bought a ticket. I explained that as was the fashion those days, people would come in and buy tickets by cash so I was unable to help on that front.

Following on, Merseyside Police had also allayed their fears to Liverpool Council and a cancellation of the event was suggested. Urgent meetings were quickly arranged involving the promoters, police and council, where people all had their say.the atmosphere was tense. Even our MC, our good friend John McDonald had the chance to put his two penneth worth to the meeting. It was emphasised by all those in favour that should the event indeed be cancelled then the image of city would damaged terribly.

Eventually an agreement was reached by all parties, the show would go on, but with the caveat that the police could have a substantial presence on the night. This turned out to be something of an understatement!

However, it was now still all systems go for March 12th!

RING OF STEEL

As the fans arrived at a rain soaked Stanley Park they were greeted by the sight of a legion of Merseyside's best armed police lining the high front fencing through which they would need to enter en route to the marquee. The entrance system would be slow and laborious with random body searches carried out. Considering all this thew fans were showing remarkable patience, a patience that would be rewarded by something extra special in that marquee.

There was thoughts of how the occasion may affect each fighter as this was an occasion that brought extra pressure in the shape of bragging rights. Well Shea, who remember had to this point fought in sports centre, he was a man who had ice running through his veins, whether it be this marquee, a sports centre, or indeed a telephone box, the 'Shamrock Express was ready to roll.

In regards of Andy, well in 1993 he had entered a bullring in Mexico where in front of over 50,000 partisan Mexicans he had faced off against the absolute Legend, Julio Cezar Chavez. Andy had come to attempt to take the WBC World Light Welterweight Title from Chavez, a man who's record at that point stood at a stupendous 88-0-1, 76 of the victories by KO.

He would turn in a typically brave effort against Chavez but eventually was pulled out at the end of the 5th round by trainer and fellow Liverpudlian Colin Moorcroft and promoter Frank Warren.

In 2022 Boxing News looked back at this fight and it's then Editor Mark Butcher wrote

"It was a vision of hell from my ringside seat, but Holligan had a serious go and knew what he had signed up for"

Well I think that having experienced all that, please pardon the pun, but entering that marquee and sharing the support of maybe half the fans, this would be a walk in the park for Andy.

AT CLOSE QUARTERS

The city's dignitaries, players from both EFC and LFC, the thousands of fans had all taken their seats. In my case, I took the edge of my seat! we had all put so much into getting this on that it would be catastrophic if anything went wrong now. We need not have worried.

MC John McDonald added to the already red hot atmosphere with his usual rousing intro for both fighter, referee Darryl Ribbink called both men to the centre of the ring and gave his instructions. The bell rang and what followed was absolutely breathtaking.

Both men immediately met in the centre of the ring, you would have struggled to have put a cigarette paper in between them and that's how it would stay.

From the off both were unleashing ferocious shots and within what seemed like the blink of an eye five rounds had passed. I couldn't hear myself think, as it turned out we would discover later that at the end of round 5 the judges had the score at 3-2 in Neary's favour.

It was that close that it was now clear either man would have to pull out something special, a decisive burst of skill and power that would maybe and them the chance to assert dominance. That moment would come in the very next round and from the hands of the Champion. A beautiful left hook from Neary followed by an uppercut would see Holligan go down on one knee. At this point and following the first 5 intensive rounds, many a fighter my have stayed down. Not Andy Holligan he rose, gave a wink to Neary, and continued. Neary however sensed victory and when in that position, he was a merciless finiset about finisher. He immediately set about Andy and had him in serious trouble on the ropes, this was when referee Ribbink had seen enough, the fight stopped at 2min 42sec of round 6.

This had been without any doubt one of the best fights seen in a British ring for many a year.

Both Champion and Challenger had demonstrated just why they both had such loyal and adoring fan bases. Two warriors par excellence indeed, but to the victor the spoils. Shea Neary remained WBU Light Welterweight Champion of the World. By the way, in regards of the WBU Belt itself, it has to be said that this was one of the more lightly regarded belts at the time. The WBU belt though would be worn proudly by, to name just a few, Ricky Hatton, James Toney, Thomas Hearns and a man who would later claim a victory over Neary, Irish Micky Ward.

It's often said that there are fights that can transcend a title,no matter the colour of the belt or the initials it carries. For me, Neary v Holligan is one of the very best examples of this.

A true generational classic. If you haven't had the pleasure of watching this fight yet,then do yourself a favour and check it out on You Tube.

TROUBLE? WHAT TROUBLE?

Earlier I mentioned the fears of the local that the event would be marred by violence. Well happily I'm pleased to say that any feared trouble failed to materialise. The crowd were exemplary, just like the warriors they had come to support. It has to be said too that the policing which could have maybe upset many, was also excellent. In the end it was an event where everyone, the fans, the promoters, the fighters, the police and council all came together and ensured that The Nark In The Park would have its own unique place in Merseyside boxing history, and for all the right reasons.

I am pleased to be able to count Shea and Andy as friends and have enormous respect for both for what they did that night. Whilst I may have been working in the promotional team I am just one man, a fan, who will count this as one of the most memorable nights of boxing that it's been my pleasure to witness at close quarters.

I'd like to therefore dedicate this write up to both men.

JUST ONE MORE THING

I explained above how there was no crowd trouble and that was indeed the case. However there as one notable 'misdemeanor' that I can report.

Judge Glen Feldman was somehow relieved of his wallet whilst sitting ringside. It would appear that some rascal in the immediate vicinity possessed even greater hamd speed than both Neary and Holligan combined. Now I don't want to make light of this, in fact it was a sore point at the time back then. However with the passing of time I can't help but say it's possibly the only time you may have heard a fan leaving a boxing show uttering the words

"The Judge Got Robbed!"

Till Next Time