Seconds Out: Boxing in mourning after losing Belfast figures

Boxing is again in mourning following the loss of two Belfast fight figures.

Harry Robinson, the famous coach who guided the early career of Olympic silver medalist Wayne McCullough, died last Friday before former Irish middleweight champion Terry Young passed away on Sunday.

Albert Foundry stalwart Harry was a revered figure on the local boxing scene when he started out with ‘Steamer’ Graham in Paisley Park in the 1960s and later moved to Agnes Street and eventually West Circular Road. was a person

A man completely devoted to the sport, he has played a key role in the careers of many Ulster and Irish champions and was awarded the Irish Athletic Boxing Association Award for his contribution to boxing in 2016.

Among those who had sparred his protégé, “Pocket Rocket” McCullough, was Tommy Waite Jr. of Cairn Lodge, who has only memories of Harry Robinson.

Indeed, in recent years Tommy and his father, Tommy Sr., have continued to do good work at the club after taking the reins at the Albert Foundry.

“I first started going to the Foundry every two months for spurs in the 80s…Harry was a quiet guy and loved boxing.

“He didn’t talk much about other things or himself, he just wanted to train you and do everything he could. He was full of encouragement – When you were with him, it was all about you.

These sentiments were echoed by the county of Antrim board who described Harry as “a true boxing man that everyone will miss… nice people”.

“Not one to push himself in anything, he’s spent years plowing a long, hard ditch at Albert Foundry and doing his best to give hundreds of kids a good start in boxing.

“He was a role model for children, a man to look up to, and an inspiration to them in sport and in life. and Care became a senior star.

“When you ran into Harry Robinson, in a fun, friendly way about him, you knew you were in good company.”

The same can be said for Terry Young.

The passing of Terry, who was “a likable, carefree kid” over the weekend, came as a “huge shock” to former Oliver Plunkett coach Patsy McAllister.

McAllister still remembers Terry and his brothers Jerry and Jody moving into the old Oliver Plunkett Club in the hills of Hannerstown in 1970.

Terry proved to be a solid operator between the ropes, winning the Irish Middleweight Championship at the National Stadium in 1975 and winning the Irish Best on an international tour with Ireland.

“Terry and Jerry stayed in Ballijonan for a long time and I hadn’t seen them in years, but I was so sorry to hear about Terry.

“He was a very good boxer and outside of boxing he loved to joke and prank. Back then he used to imitate Ian Paisley. That’s something that always sticks with me!

“He had a good career and was a good person to be around.

“What a lovely guy, one of the nicest, kindest people you’ve ever met, honest to God. Great boxing man and I loved him.”