Paul Wesley - fighter who faced very best

Paul Wesley….fought world and British champs. Pic: Birmingham Mail

DEEPLY, deeply saddened to hear from Birmingham boxing stalwart Peter Buckley of the death of Paul Wesley aged 63.

In truth, the news wasn’t unexpected. I was aware Paul, who fought for the British light-middleweight title, was engaged in a grim battle with illness.

That doesn’t lessen the impact of the message.

The city has lost a true gladiator who, in a 71 bout, 16 year career, faced an unbelievable, seemingly never ended stream of truly top fighters.

His CV is a who’s who of champions, filled with such illustrious names as: Rod Douglas, Wally Swift Jnr, who outpointed him for the Midlands belt, Neville Brown, Tony Collins, Antonio Fernandez – they met for the Midlands middleweight belt, world champ Sumbu Kalamby, Chris Pyatt, Howard Eastman, Harry Simon, Geoff McCreesh, Tony Dodson, David Starie, Glenn Catley, Steve Collins…

In his biggest bout, Paul lost on points to fellow Brummie Robert McCracken, with the Lonsdale Belt on the line, at Aston Villa Leisure Centre in 1995.

His is a record crammed with the names of British, even world, titleholders. You have to be a very hard man to swim and survive in such deep waters.

Paul, who turned to the car repair trade after boxing, was a hard man, but never surly.

Today, I scan his near unbelievable record and realise Wesley was capable of achieving so much more. Sadly, the boxer plied his trade during an era – 1987 to 2003 – when Birmingham boxers occupied the away corner on major promotions. Even the best had to fight with odds stacked against them.

Talent was rarely nurtured.

Wesley, guided by Nobby Nobbs, was never wrapped in cotton wool.

Well known Birmingham fight figure Jason Lowe – trainer and MC – summed-up the man: “Paul was as tough as a backdoor being kicked in by police.

“He was one boxing’s unsung heroes and a really nice guy. It’s a very sad loss.”

Top trainer Max McCracken said: “Paul was a real nice man and very good fighter, underrated. My brother Rob fought him for the British title in a close fight. It’s very sad, he will be missed by a lot of People. Well respected in boxing and by all who knew him.”

Fight legend Peter Buckley, the top man in Nobby Nobbs gym, said: “Watch his fight with Steve Collins – he put up a great fight, he was world class on his day. Always gave a good account of himself.”

Glenn Catley, former world champ: “So sorry to hear this sad news. I will always remember our fight together as one of the toughest contests I ever had.”

Top Wolverhampton trainer Richie Carter: “That’s terrible news. He was a great fighter back in the day. Paul on his night would give a lot of top lads a hard night’s graft!”

Tony Swift, former fighter and brother of British champ Wally: “Paul was a real decent fighter who never really got the breaks. Sparred rounds with him at Nobby’s gym, as did Wally Jnr, who Paul lost to in a close fight before Wally Jnr won the British title. Paul was always respectful and had a smile on his face.”

Paul Wesley was part of a dying breed – a boxer prepared to face anyone, anywhere at whatever notice. And he was capable of dragging the best out of the very best.