On this day ...

On this day, 6th December way back in 1975 John H Stracey got one of the best away wins from a British boxer when he stopped the great Jose Napoles in the sixth round in Mexico.

With the win he won the WBC Welterweight title and the ring magazine belt as well.

I know John quite well and have spoken about this fight many times, he said he knew he would have a great chance as they had previously sparred each other, and John and his team noticed that he struggled with John’s jab, so this could be key if they ever fought for real.

After being dropped in the first round, Stracey climbed off the canvas to stick it on Napoles until it was stopped, not a bad little christmas present, although he had to be back in the UK sharpish as he was best man at a wedding.