A Unique Boxing Event
(This article was written a week before the sad passing of The Pedro Club President, James Cook MBE but it has been posted in the form as the banter between James and myself was legendary)
It was a successful day. Saturday 31st May at the Pedro Youth Club in Hackney. We had the yearly amateur boxing show. I must add that the Pedro show is unique, and I have not seen any other like it on these shores.
Firstly, it is an open-air show and scheduled for the summer months.
Then there is music, food – Rum punch, fruit punch, did I say music? Food- Jerk Chicken. More like a festival.
Supporters are entertained during the intervals with various performances.
The settings are more like an away day, a family day out.
The raffle is a big hit with amazing prizes.
For over 30 years former British Middleweight Champion James Cook MBE has been running the Pedro Club and supporting the community.
I am the chairman there. Along with a team of trustees, including boxing names, Marvin Stone, Bruce Baker and Robert Waterman. The team of volunteers that are committed to the continued growth and development of the Pedro, is testament to the selflessness of those wanting to put something back into communities.
James Cook was unable to attend the show this year, so I had to step in, not as a replacement, there is only one James but to ensure that the day was as I know the standards he would expect.
A quick note to James though, this year we had the largest number of supporters, and it was our most successful event, not boasting James… Just saying!
As usual we were visited by boxing champions and boxers from the past, always ensuring that they attend The Pedro Show, which is a date for the diary.
We had in attendance The Ringside Charity Trust; I am a trustee there.
I will elaborate on The Ringside Charity Trust in another article, as I am unable to share enough about the Charity in this article. The Pedro Show really rocked. Fans were treated to some great contest, thumbs up to the matchmakers.
At the final bell and the last of the remaining guest dwindled into the distance. I checked that all was back in order at the Pedro Club and that it would be ready for another day to support the community and the young people. Job done.
I headed for home.