Canelo Wins Again; Perth Boxing Club’s Oldest Member, 81, Says He’d Have Fancied Him ‘in About 1966’
Canelo Álvarez beat Mbilli overnight. In a Perth gym, a pensioner shadow-boxes against the TV and declares a draw.
Boxing gloves on a ring rope: the closest most of Perth has come to a world title. Photo: Post of the Soviet Union (Рис.: Лев Васильевич Завьялов (1932—?))., “The Soviet Union 1963 CPA 2880 stamp (15th European Boxing Championships, Moscow. Boxers in the ring)”, via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Canelo Álvarez won his fight against Christian Mbilli overnight, and in Perth, one boxing fan has offered his professional opinion.
“He’s good, Canelo,” said an 81-year-old from Muirton, who has been a member of a Perth boxing club “since it had a roof”. “But I’d have had him in 1966. I had a very good left hook. I also had a lot of hair, so I’d have been harder to hit. More to aim at, mind.”
The pensioner watched the fight on his phone in the club’s changing room, shadow-boxing alongside it. “I scored it myself,” he said. “I gave it to Canelo, but I gave myself a draw. I wasn’t in it, but I was trying.”
Younger members said the old man still has the fastest hands in the gym. “He can get a biscuit out of the tin and the lid back on before you see him move,” said one.
The club says it is open to new members of all ages. The 81-year-old says he is open to a rematch with anybody, as long as it is before his tea.
The real story: Boxing (BBC Sport)
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I used to box at school. Then I discovered pies. Pies won on points.
— Bert M., Muirton, 1 November 2026 -
My husband watched the whole thing on his phone in bed. Shadow boxing. I’ve a bruise to prove it.
— Sheila D., Perth, 1 November 2026 -
The old boy at the club would have him. He’s had a hip replaced, but he would have him.
— Andy F., Letham, 1 November 2026
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