James BovingtonCrawford Ashley remains a towering figure on the Leeds boxing scene and describes the press conference prior to his 1993 fight with Michael Nunn as “the moment I realised I belonged at the top.”
Harehills-born Crawford, as he’s known, often challenges anyone to prove “they’re more Leeds born and bred than me.” Now 61, the former professional is still keen to take the pulse of the sport in the city and beyond. Below are his words.
Crawford says he “started training aged seven at Montagu Burton’s ABC which has evolved into Burmantofts ABC,” describing how Burton’s “provided everything for and that included a boxing club. Great for the local community.” He recalls showing “an aptitude for boxing, talent even,” progressing quickly. “At fourteen I was winning schoolboy championships and at sixteen and in my mid-teens I won the junior ABA title two years running.”
He remembers those early years as “all so exciting,” meeting figures like “Errol Christie who was a regular on ITV Fight Night, Duke McKenzie who became a three-weight world champion and Glenn McGrory who went on to win the IBF cruiserweight title.” He adds: “I sparred with him when we were both in the under 19 England squad.” Turning professional followed naturally: “It was my turn to join the professional ranks with a stoppage win over Steve Ward in Croydon in 1987… I was busy that year with six bouts in nine months and the final two being eight rounders. Such speeding through the ranks is virtually unheard of today.”
Across his 44 contests — 33 of them wins — one memory stands out. “The highlight’s got to be boxing American Michael Nunn at The Pyramid in Memphis,” he says. He recalls sitting alongside “the Norris brothers Orlin and Terry Norris, Oliver McCall and Nunn himself,” listening to Nunn talk up his plans. “I interrupted to remind him that he had to get past me first. He did as it happens but I’m proud at how I conducted myself there… there I was lad from Leeds at ease on their home turf.”
Life changed after a serious motorcycle accident, but he’s focused on supporting his son. “These days I struggle with some things… and I’m concentrating on helping my son Theo who’s a respected amateur boxer looking for a professional contract. Everyone knows life’s complex for younger people today and professional sport is no exception. Theo’s good. Highly intelligent. An excellent student throughout. It’s obvious I’m proud.” He trains Theo at Dicky’s Gym in Batley, “convenient as I’m currently based in Dewsbury,” adding that many readers will know it because “Barnsley boxer Callum Simpson… that’s where he trains.”
He’s frank about the sport’s direction. “The sport’s not as popular as it was,” he says. “Professional boxers do well when they’re high-volume ticket sellers but many shy away from fights they should have, preferring a record of wins from repeatedly fighting weaker opponents… It looks good on paper but lacks substance.” He adds that “the costs a professional boxer must bear to develop his career are frankly astronomical.”
For him, the heart of boxing is unchanged. “Boxing is spiritual in that it helps you to get to know who you are,” he says. “You don’t need an ego when you’ve learnt to defend yourself, cope with situations. Taking full responsibility for your actions produces an unshakeable inner calm.” It’s this he now shares online: “I share this with anyone wanting to make progress in YouTube videos from Crawford Ashley the Spiritual Boxer. Watch and learn.”
