Lee hangs up his gloves

Oct 30 2003 By Christopher Beesley, Ellesmere Port Pioneer

BOXING: ELLESMERE Port's king of the ring Lee Holmes has decided to hang up his gloves and help bring through the next generation of boxing talent in the town by taking up a coaching role at Vauxhall Motors ABC.

Holmes, 28, enjoyed a glittering amateur career with the Golden Star ABC and Vauxhall Motors ABC before turning professional two years ago.

Despite compiling an impressive 5-1 record in little more than a year, Holmes' time as a pro was disrupted by injury and administrative problems.

On several occasions, problems with finding him a suitable match resulted in late changes in opponents while his last scheduled appearance at Ellesmere Port Civic Hall in December 2002 was called off when the show was cancelled.

Undeterred, Holmes continued to produce good displays when he actually made it into the ring and his decision to retire was ultimately down to work commitments.

He said: 'It was a really tough decision and I would have liked to have continued boxing for as long as possible in an ideal world, but the burden of having to diet from my normal weight of 10st 5lb to reach my fighting weight of 8st 8lb, plus working day and night shifts at Vauxhall, was getting too much. I've also got my family to think of with two children and my wife Jane, who has supported me throughout both my time as an amateur and professional boxer.

'I was satisfied with my performances as a professional and the only fight I lost was when I was forced to stop after a clash of heads with a South African in London.Things were going well until we collided and the referee said I couldn't continue. It was a good experience and you never know what it will be like until you try,

He added: 'Vauxhall is where I have my fondest memories of the sport, like visiting New York, and going back there is like returning to a family.'

Vauxhall's head coach Peter Phelan said: 'Lee has done a tremendous job in raising the profile of boxing in the area and all the youngsters at the club hold him in very high esteem.' but I'm looking forward helping develop the latest crop of youngsters.'