WHEN: The 1930s

WHERE: Barrow

AS we enter the month of Boxing Day, the Evening Mail is stepping into the ring for some 1930s pugilism.

Curator Sabine Skae has been organising the Dock Museum's pictorial archive, which contains three pictures of fighters from 80 years ago, donated by the Furness Ex-Boxers Association (FEBA).

At the time, boxing was a popular pass-time, with shows held at the Casino Rink, the Strand Assembly Rooms and other venues in Barrow and the borough.

One of the pictures show preparations for a bout at the Old Drill Hall, with the traditional scales between the fighters set to battle it out.

The other two feature Barrow's Frank Hill, who was a contender for the British Lightweight title – one of him posed for action and the other of the weigh-in for a fight in Barrow. The information on the latter suggests he is posed with Kid Lewis, but a study of his fight record reveals no such opponent, though he did beat Kid Close at the Drill Hall in December 1935.

Hill had a professional record of 38 wins, 19 defeats and six draws in a career which spanned 1932 to 1939, winning 13 of his fights by knockout.

His career took him from the Drill Hall, to Preston's Majestic Rink, Barnsley Stadium and Earls Court, Harringay Arena and Wandsworth Greyhound Stadium in London.

He ended his pro career with his one and only fight in Singapore, defeating Baby Mendiola on points in January 1939.

In his book Shipyard Town, Barrow historian Byrn Trescatheric write the following about boxing in Barrow: “The sport which best mirrored Barrow’s economic condition and the town’s interest was boxing.

“From the late 1920s until the mid-1930s boxing shows were regularly held at the Casino Rink, the Strand Assembly Rooms (“the blood tub”), His Majesty’s Theatre and the Old Town Hall.

“It was at the latter venue that the biggest shows were held, so when a fire gutted the building in March 1931, the future of boxing in Barrow looked bleak.

“Fortunately, a new venue was secured – the swimming baths on Abbey Road, capable of holding 800 spectators and providing an intimate atmosphere.

“What Barrovians were interested in was not talented “offcomers”, but seeing their own friends and neighbours try to knock the stuffing out of each other – men like Dino Guselli, Butcher Moore, Eric Webb, Andy Ross, Stan Livingstone, Billy Hardy and Frank Hill.

“There were several Barrow boxing “stables”: Alf Woodburn’s Salthouse club in Provincial Street, Sam Doughty in New Street, Eric Webb in Anchor Road, Harry Boyle at the Sun Hotel.

“Rivalries were fuelled by the local press and matches made for a winner-takes-all sidestake. There was never much money on offer but plenty of local pride and vitality.

“It all petered out in the late 1930s as the local economy improved. Boxing shows had to be padded-out with wrestling and by 1938 the “noble art” had virtually disappeared in Barrow.”