Heavyweight battle ends in draw and charity success

29 October 2014

THE verbal sparring between two of Down District’s political heavyweights ended last Friday night when they stepped into the boxing ring to slug it out in the name of charity.

Billy Rocky Walker and Terry Razor Andrews traded blows in three action-packed rounds in front of several hundred people at the Bridge Community Centre, in Killyleagh.

After sum determined slugging, and more than a little puffing and panting, the eagerly anticipated contest was declared an honourable draw.

DUP councillor Walker, sporting a pair of Union flag shorts and a Glasgow Rangers top and his SDLP opponent Andrews, wearing a fetching black and lime green vest emblazoned with Razor across his chest, with black shorts, provided the crowd with more than a few laughs.

After the audience was regally entertained by a number of bouts featuring local amateur boxers, the lights dimmed for the main event with the sound of Tina Turner’s Simply the Best filling the arena.

The doors swung open and in waltzed Razor with his manager Dermot Curran, Northern Ireland’s longest serving district councillor and a man who has seen it all, apart from two politicians squaring up to each other in the ring.

Razor waved to his adoring fans and soaked up the atmosphere with his manager giving him a few last tips before the entrance doors swung open again and Rocky made his way to the ring.

The pre-fight favourite was accompanied by his manager, Stormont Finance Minister Simon Hamilton, with the Strangford Assemblyman quick to point out he wasn’t in Killyleagh to organise a whip round for the cash-strapped Northern Ireland Executive.

The noise levels went up a few decibels when Walker saluted his fans and a quick glare at his opponent signalled his intention to come out with all guns blazing.

The world and his wife were in Killyleagh for the big fight. There were businessmen, tradesmen, a retired clergyman, senior police officers and even Elvis was in the building — Killyleagh businessman Elvis Kirk.

As the referee gave the two super heavyweights their final instructions, MPs Margaret Ritchie and Jim Shannon settled back for the fight as did Strangford Assemblywoman Michelle McIlveen and local councillors Carmel O’Boyle, William Dick and Harry Harvey,

Sent back to their corners, Razor looked the more composed but when
the bell sounded it was Rocky who
landed the first blow to the head with a left as Razor ped his guard. Sensing victory, Rocky then produced a new boxing style, punching with both fists at the same time.

While the duo weren’t exactly floating like butterflies and stinging like bees, both men went for it. Rocky followed his blow to the head with a second right hook which lacked power, but Razor never flinched and once he got his gloves up and found his range, he hit back with a jab before Rocky delivered another punch to the upper body and the end of the round.

Both boxers were glad to hear the bell, and it was the council chairman — who was clearly struggling with his fitness — who seemed happiest to catch a breather.

In the other corner, Razor was calm with his cornermen encouraging him to duck and dive and keep his gloves up to ward off the Rocky’s jabs.

Razor signalled his intention at the start of the second with a right to the head which caught Rocky off guard, forcing him to move out of his opponent’s reach, but I’m not sure if it was to stay out of trouble or to get his breath back.

Both men tried to throw punches but instead of hitting flesh, they ended up punching each other’s gloves. Razor landed a left to Rocky’s head and when the bell sounded to mark the end of the second round, Rocky again made his way gingerly back to his corner and hung on to the ropes.

More water and a rest was required, while Razor was composed and certainly not out of breath. Clearly the miles he clocked up around Delamont Country Park over recent months to improve his fitness in advance of the big fight certainly paid off.

The super heavyweights met in the centre of the ring before the start of the third and final round when Rocky again threw those uncharacteristic double punches resembling something like a prancing horse, catching Razor on the head, but the SDLP man came back to fire off a few short jabs, making the most of his reach advantage.

When the bell sounded to mark the end of the contest, the boxers embraced and the crowd rose to its feet to salute both men and their novel way of raising money for two worthy causes, PIPS and the Killyleagh Youth Drop-In project. On the night, a magnificent sum of £2,000 was raised.

With the contest declared a draw, both boxers took the microphone to salute everyone who had made the event possible and main sponsors Henderson’s Spar for their generous donation.

Rocky admitted the idea of him and Razor getting into the ring started out as a bit of a joke, but quickly developed legs and became a reality to raise money for two very worthy causes.

He added: “Terry and I are delighted we did this. He and I have been the best of friends for years and while we may be political foes, we are good friends and work well together. We are delighted with the turnout tonight and the support we have received. I commend everyone for coming.”

Razor added: “I’m glad to get my breath back. Thanks to everyone for their support. There has been a lot of banter in the run-up to the fight and we were overwhelmed by the interest our contest generated. The real winners tonight are PIPS and the Killyleagh Youth Drop-In project.”

Both boxers hope they can now entice UTV’s Frank Mitchell to a fight in Downpatrick next Easter to raise funds for Down District Home Start and the Down Lisburn Alzheimer’s Society Branch.

• Organisers of Friday night’s fight are also to make a donation to the East Down Boxing Club for all its help in organising the event and erecting the ring for the big fight.

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