Frankie Lucas would possibly simply be the best boxer you’ve got by no means heard of. His story is definitely one of many wildest boxing tales to be instructed. After nearly 50 years, that story is coming to the stage and the long-forgotten fighter would possibly simply get a outstanding renaissance. He deserves it.
Once upon a time in a south London boxing gymnasium, a ridiculous plan was hatched. There was no probability that the plan would work, belief me. Except it did, and it’s the topic Going For Gold, a brand new play on a brief run on the Chelsea Theatre in London this week.
It is a narrative of ring brilliance, ring ignorance, struggling, profitable gold medals, a group united and a Rocky story that will make “Sly” Stallone weep.
Let me begin with the details and figures; this isn’t a story for followers of decency in sport. Lucas was abused badly, not as soon as however twice as an newbie boxer after which throughout his troubled skilled profession. In 1972, which was an Olympic 12 months, Lucas beat a person known as Alan Minter within the London Amateur Boxing Association middleweight championship. The win was on cuts, Frankie was a youngster, Minter was the favorite and the chosen one. Lucas went all the way in which to Wembley that 12 months and received the nationwide title. He was simply 18, a harmful boy.
Two months later, the choice for the Olympic squad happened. Minter was in and Lucas was out. In all equity, Minter had some worldwide expertise and Lucas was uncooked. It was harsh, however not legal. Minter received a bronze medal and received the hearts of a nation. Meanwhile, in Croydon, Lucas was again within the Sir Philip Game gymnasium and preparing for a brand new season and defending his ABA middleweight title. Minter had turned skilled and would ultimately win a world title in Las Vegas.
In 1973, Lucas was savage and in May retained his ABA title. In the ultimate he beat Liverpool’s Carl Speare. He was despatched to America for a global and he beat the very best American at Madison Square Garden. He was despatched to the European championships in Belgrade in the summertime of 1973 and misplaced to imperious Soviet Vyacheslav Lemeshev within the quarter-finals. Lemeshev had received gold on the Olympics the earlier 12 months with 4 knockouts. Lucas pushed him. Lucas was nonetheless solely 19 then, however he was seasoned by the tip of 1973 – a double ABA champion, fearless, heavy-fisted. In 2023, he would be capable to invent figures in talks with promoters. Not in 1973, sorry.
The Commonwealth Games in 1974 have been being held in Christchurch, New Zealand, at first of the 12 months and that meant that Lucas wouldn’t be capable to defend his ABA title. However, he would absolutely be despatched to the Games as England’s middleweight. Surely, that was apparent. No, Carl Speare was chosen. Lucas was rejected once more; he was solely a child. What had he ever carried out to upset so many males in blazers?
And after that snub, the assembly takes place contained in the Sir Philip Game gymnasium. They needed to in some way get their little Frankie to New Zealand. They have been going for gold.
A person known as Ken Rimington had an thought. Lucas had joined his mom in Croydon when he was a bit boy. He had left St Vincent within the Caribbean to dwell in Croydon. He discovered the gymnasium a couple of years later. Rimington picked up the telephone within the committee room on the membership and began making calls. This is all true.
A boxing affiliation for St Vincent was fashioned. The Commonwealth Games organising committee accepted the brand new affiliation they usually accepted Lucas, a middleweight and nonetheless solely 20. Time was working out, cash was quick. Fundraisers did a bit, however the Scottish Amateur Boxing Association got here in with some assist. Lucas helped their fighters put together. Lucas was on his approach. His coach from Croydon, Ray Chapman, was the now head coach for the brand new St Vincent and the Grenadines Amateur Boxing Association. That needs to be sufficient of a narrative, to inform the reality.
The tiny group landed in New Zealand. Lucas was the one member for St Vincent. He carried the flag on the opening ceremony. He ignored a pre-tournament operate, hosted by Princess Anne. So what? He was there for glory, not bowing to a princess; Frankie Lucas was not massive on bowing.
And then the fairytale began. This is magic and I keep in mind it so, so effectively. Lucas was a hero in my home, he was a south London boy who refused to simply accept ‘no’ as a solution.
Carl Speare was within the draw, however the true hazard was Julius Luipa from Zambia. He was educated by Cubans, he was deadly. I’ve spoken to people who have been there they usually painted an ominous image; Lucas had no probability with both the judges or Luipa’s punches. However, no one instructed Frankie that. Luipa knocked out two males and reached the semi-final. Lucas and Speare each received twice and met within the different semi. Lucas beat Speare on factors, it was a type of justice. But he was in New Zealand for greater than that. In the ultimate, Luipa was good. Lucas was carrying second-hand package. Frankie was lower within the first spherical, and it was dangerous. Luipa went again to his Cuban nook smiling. Then, within the second spherical, Frankie Lucas the renegade went to struggle.
Luipa was knocked out. Bosh, that’s the story. Lucas went for gold, and he obtained it. He turned professional and that was ugly. He had demons on either side of the ropes. He might have been nice. He misplaced two British title fights after which he went on the lacking listing. He was presumed useless.
Then he was discovered, dwelling in care close to his previous professional gymnasium in north London. He blessed this play, written by Rose Hollingsworth and starring her son, Jazz Lintott as Frankie. Rose met Frankie when she served him every day at a greengrocer’s store on the finish of the Seventies. Lucas had promised to attend the opening. In early April he died. His funeral was low-key; he will probably be served by this play and plans for greater issues. He deserves it.
Never doubt that goals and fairytales happen in south London. Frankie Lucas is that fairytale, this play is his story.
Going For Gold, The Chelsea Theatre – 5-8 June 2023.