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Tragic tale of Commonwealth Games gold medallist boxer who ‘went missing’ for 30 years.. before being found in a coma

, Tragic tale of Commonwealth Games gold medallist boxer who ‘went missing’ for 30 years.. before being found in a coma

THE name Frankie Lucas means nothing to today’s boxing fans.

But he had such a tragic and bittersweet life it has been turned into a dramatic three-act play.

Frankie Lucas’ incredible life has been turned into a play

Starring Emmerdale’s Jazz Lintott as Frankie, ‘Going for Gold’ opens at the Rotunda Theatre in Brighton on the 29th of this month before transferring to the Chelsea Theatre the week after.

Frankie’s fascinating story began 60 years ago when, as a nine-year-old, he arrived from St Vincent to be with his mother in South London.

A difficult child, he found his niche by joining Croydon’s prestigious Sir Philip Game ABC.

He won two ABA middleweight titles and should have represented England at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in New Zealand.

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But inexplicably he was snubbed by the selectors, who instead chose Carl Speake — the man he had beaten in the 1973 ABA final.

Frankie, angry at being left out without explanation, was about to turn pro when Ken Rimington, a policeman and a Sir Philip Game committee man, came to his rescue.

Rimington got in touch with the authorities on St Vincent, who weren’t sending any athletes to New Zealand and persuaded them to let Frankie become their one-man team.

I was in the Christchurch athletes’ village and got to know the abrasive, hard-hitting Frankie, who had no idea he was about to rub shoulders with royalty in the week leading up to the opening ceremony.

Because he was the only representative of the Caribbean island of his birth, Lucas was considered the head of delegation, team manager, flag bearer and athlete.

He was given VIP status with a chauffeur-driven limousine at his disposal.

I shall never forget walking into his room in the Games village and seeing half a dozen embossed invitations to various receptions to be attended by either the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles or Princess Anne.

When I asked him if he had accepted any of them, with a cheeky grin he said he was going to go to all of them.

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Yet despite his unexpected hectic social life, Frankie reached the middleweight final where he KO’d highly rated Zambian Julius Luip in two rounds to bring home the gold medal.

He then decided to turn pro and had an unforgettable brawl with Tony Sibson for the vacant British middleweight championship, before suffering a fifth-round KO at the Albert Hall 44 years ago.

It was shortly after that that Frankie’s life took a disastrous turn.
Deeply depressed because he couldn’t get meaningful boxing bouts, he went missing.

Nothing was heard from him for more than 30 years and nearly everyone who knew him, including me, assumed he was dead.

FRANKIE’S FIGHT

Five years ago he was discovered suffering from brain cancer and in a coma.

Frankie’s fighting spirit rose to the surface and, miraculously, he survived.

That was when he was reunited with his family, although he was suffering from severe mental problems.

Lintott, who is also producing ‘Going for Gold’, heard about the saga and the idea of a play was born.

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Despite his health problems, Frankie was also able to help Lintott with his research.

But sadly, there is a dreadful irony to this tale. Frankie didn’t live long enough to see himself portrayed on stage, dying on April 8.

His son, Michael, who was a useful amateur heavyweight and nearly made the 2000 British Olympic team, told me: “I was a year old when my father won his gold medal.

“He went out of my life when I was eight and didn’t come back into it until I was 46.

“But I’m consoled that at least he got to meet his granddaughter and great-grandson.”

Lucas, right, went to the 1974 Commonwealth Games for St Vincent

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does boxers train for a day?

Boxing trainers typically train for at least four hours per day. They also spend time studying boxing techniques, learning new moves, and practicing their punches. Boxers often spar up to 10 times a week.

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What are the different types and uses of boxing gloves?

There are three types: mitts (fingerless mitts), full-fingerered gloves, and mitts (fingerless mitts). Mitten gloves are padded around the knuckles. Fingerless mitts, which do not provide padding around the fingers but cover them, have no padding at the knuckles. Full-fingered gloves have padding around the entire of the hand.

Mittens are used for punching or hitting with the fist. For striking or punching with the index finger’s knuckle, mitt gloves can be used. Boxing gloves for full-finger punching can be obtained with full-fingered hands.

How many punches is a human capable of taking?

A punch is defined by “a blow delivered using a fist”. A punch can only be taken once per person. If someone punches you in the face you are being punched. You can’t hit them/her back. That would be two punches.

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How does a beginner box at home?

Boxing is one our oldest sports. Boxing was first developed to train warriors against their enemies in ancient times. Today, boxing is widely practiced all over the world. Boxing does not require that you go to a gym. To box, all you need are a pair gloves and punching bags.

You can also find local amateur boxing clubs where you can join and get trained by professional coaches. You’ll be ready for tournaments once you have mastered basic combinations and punches.

What is the difference between left hook and right cross?

A left hook is thrown to the side of your body, while a right-cross is thrown to the front.

The opponent is facing the back of the left hook. The elbow is bent 90° and the wrist is turned 45° toward the opponent.

A right cross is thrown with the palm facing the opponent’s face and the elbow straight. The wrist is turned 45 degrees away from the opponent.

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What are some of the benefits of boxing

Boxing is associated with many health benefits. For one, boxing can help build strong bones and muscles. It enhances your coordination as well as reflexes. It can also help strengthen your heart muscle and lungs. Boxing does not require special equipment. You can use anything you have lying around the house.

Statistics

  • You want to be running at roughly 75-80% of your top speed..5 mile slow, easy recovery jog at the end.[6]X Research source 2Mix in long runs, shadow boxing, and short sprints on non-interval days. (wikihow.com)
  • This article received 39 testimonials and 89% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. (wikihow.com)

External Links

expertboxing.com

boxandflow.com

How To

How to learn to box to exercise

How to Learn to Box for Exercise

Your goal in learning boxing is self-confidence and improvement of your physical fitness. Boxing is one the most loved sports in the world. It requires strength and speed as well agility, coordination, balance, power, and accuracy.

Boxing is a great way of getting fit and feeling good about yourself. You’ll love the activity and want to continue it.

There are many types of boxing training programs. Some are held at health clubs or gyms, while others can be done at home. You can also study online from any location in the world.

Make sure you choose a program that meets your needs and is compatible with your lifestyle. The best programs are those that focus on building muscle mass, increasing flexibility, improving cardiovascular endurance, and improving overall well-being.

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You should also consider whether you prefer a beginner’s course or a more advanced one. Beginner’s classes usually teach basic techniques, such as sparring, mittwork, shadowboxing, and punching. Advanced programs cover more complex movements and offer more variety.

A beginner’s program typically lasts eight weeks and costs less $100. These programs do not provide guidance about nutrition, weight, injury prevention or any other aspect of boxing training.

Advanced programs typically last six months and cost around $300. They can include nutrition advice, stretching routines, warm up exercises, and instructions on proper technique. Some programs offer resistance training (such lifting weights) as well as aerobic conditioning (such running).

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