City pays fight night tribute to amateur boxing stalwart

The event, at New Walton Club in Walton Street, has been organised in memory of Ray Black, a highly-respected ABA official, who died last year from cancer aged 73.

There will be 12 bouts, including two for Yorkshire challenge belts, as well as an auction and raffle with all proceeds going to the oncology department at Castle Hill Hospital, near Hull, and the Hull Diabetes Centre.

Mr Black, who worked on deep sea trawlers from the age of 15, developed a passion for boxing and in a 40-year career with the ABA became an international referee and national ABA official.

He was the honourable secretary of the Amateur Boxing Association of England Referees’ and Judges’ Commission, and chairman of the North East Counties and Yorkshire ABA. A member of Hull Fish Trades Boxing Club since 1948, he began his career as an official in 1969 when he was the medical officer’s assistant at a tournament in Hull.

The high point of his career came in 1997 when he officiated at the fight in Birmingham when Ricky Hatton won the senior ABAE Championship.

Outside of boxing, Mr Black became a radio operator and spent 12 years fishing some of the most inhospitable waters on earth.

After studying electronics he set up his own business, which he managed until his retirement in 2001.

Few of his colleagues in boxing knew that Mr Black was also a talented artist and had his paintings exhibited at Hull’s Ferens Art Gallery.

ABA spokeswoman Hannah McLafferty said: “Ray was a devoted and knowledgable volunteer who was highly regarded among all his colleagues at the Amateur Boxing Association.

“He had a wicked sense of humour and a fantastic ability to engage with people from all walks of life.

“He was so professional about the sport he wanted everything to be right. He was keen to pass on his knowledge and inspired many budding officials.”

Tickets for the show, which starts at 8pm, cost £10. To book call Richard Cawthorn on 07515 525176.