Tribute to 'Lancaster Lion' whose British title fight put home city on the map

'The Lancaster Lion' Alan Lamb battled Clinton McKenzie for the British light welterweight title at Liverpool Stadium in April 1983.

Roared on by a travelling army of fans, Alan pushed McKenzie all the way before losing on points.

The fight is still talked about today with fond memories, by long-time supporters of local boxing.

The modest and hard-punching Lamb had a huge number of fans who followed him all over the UK during his career.

Born in Lancaster and raised in Scotforth, his love for boxing began as an 11 year old, when he was taken to a Lancaster Lads amateur boxing show by his father, who had also boxed for the club.

Alan then chose to follow in the family footsteps and joined the Lancaster Lads club, where he was coached by trainer Dave Williams.

The youngster was a natural in the ring, and enjoyed a stellar amateur career, reaching the finals of the National Schoolboy Championships, the final of the NABC Championships and the semi-finals of the Junior ABAs.

As a senior, he became West Lancashire Champion, Northern Counties Champion and reached the English semi-finals of the ABA Championships.

Alan was then called up to the England squad, alongside future world champion Terry Marsh. He represented his country five times, and his other team-mates included the top middleweight Herol Graham.

Lamb turned professional after losing in the Northern Counties Final in 1979, signing for manager and promoter Harry Burgess, with fellow top local boxer Bobby Day as his trainer.

He stopped Gary Ball in hs pro debut in Lewisham and racked up a string of wins, including stopping Ceri Collins in front of his home fans at the Central Pier in Morecambe.

After another win in Morecambe, the Lancastrian was ranked number seven in the British rankings and earned a shot at the Central Area Light Welterweight Title.

Lamb won on points to take the title in his 10th bout, against Liverpool’s Tony Carroll.

His undefeated record went via stoppage loss to Ade Allen, but 'The Lancaster Lion' rebounded with a series of wins, including victory over George Peacock in Glasgow which legendary referee Harry Gibbs nominated as Fight of the Year, and the reporter for respected fight publication Boxing News called it “the best fight I’ve ever seen in this country”.

At one point he was matched to fight the famous former World Lightweight Champion Ken Buchanan in Morecambe. Posters went out but Buchanan broke his nose in training and had to pull out.

But Alan soon got his big chance at glory as he became number one contender to fight Clinton McKenzie for the British title.

McKenzie was one of the best of Britain's post-war champions, and had shared the ring with the great Sugar Ray Leonard at the 1976 Olympic Games.

The Londoner needed to utiltise all his class to keep the rampaging Lamb at bay over the full distance.

Lamb lost a tight decision but afterwards, showed his humility and sportsmanship by saying McKenzie was the better man on the night.

At 29, after a stoppage loss to Jeff Decker, he retired. At the time he was working in the family waste paper business.

His professional career ended with a record of 16 wins and three defeats with 12 KOs.

Alan passed away last month after a sudden brain aneurysm.

He was one of four siblings and had two daughters, Clare Benson and Marie Lawson, and four grandchildren, Olivia and Ruby Benson, and Dylan and Nancy Lawson. 

Olivia said: "He was loved so much by all of us - family, friends and supporters."

Thank you to Olivia Benson and 'Boxers from the Bay' by Larry Braysher for information for this article.