Tribute to boxer Robert Dickie
THE close knit village of Cefneithin is trying to come to terms with the loss of one of its favourite sons.
Former champion boxer Robert Dickie, who won Scottish and British featherweight titles and went on to become a World Super Featherweight champion, suffered a suspected heart attack at his home in Llanelli last week.
He was just 46 years old. The funeral takes place on Monday
Story from Llanelli Star -
http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/news/Sad-passing-true-character/article-2827277-detail/article.html
Here is the tribute I gave to the Carmarthen Journal and Llanelli Star -
Former Carmarthen Journal andLlanelli Star editor Robert Lloyd said: “I was lucky enough to be the boxing correspondent of the South Wales Evening Post during the latter part of Robert Dickie’s career.
“He was, without a doubt, one of the most talented boxers Wales has produced.
“In the Top 10 in the world at his peak, he was a class act in the ring. If he had a flaw, it was that he lacked the ruthless ambition needed to challenge for a world title.
“For most Dickie fans, though, that lack of ambition was part of the charm of the man. He had a ‘take it or leave it’ attitude to boxing.
“On one occasion, when Dickie had gone ‘off the radar’ during training, I was asked by his Swansea-based trainer Colin Breen to search West Wales for the boxer. Dickie was found, but he came back to the training ring in his own time.
“In recent years, our meetings were mostly in charity dinners, social events, or shopping in Llanelli town centre.
“He was hugely proud of his family, always had a smile and was always keen to recall trips boxing venues such as the Star Leisure Centre in Splott, Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre and the King’s Hall in Stoke.
“When I saw him earlier this summer, he was recovering after an eye operation. But he was his usual happy self and firmly focussed on the future. Local hero, a true character, family man, world-class boxer – there are many epitaphs to use when referring to the tragic loss of Robert Dickie.”
Former champion boxer Robert Dickie, who won Scottish and British featherweight titles and went on to become a World Super Featherweight champion, suffered a suspected heart attack at his home in Llanelli last week.
He was just 46 years old. The funeral takes place on Monday
Story from Llanelli Star -
http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/news/Sad-passing-true-character/article-2827277-detail/article.html
Here is the tribute I gave to the Carmarthen Journal and Llanelli Star -
Former Carmarthen Journal andLlanelli Star editor Robert Lloyd said: “I was lucky enough to be the boxing correspondent of the South Wales Evening Post during the latter part of Robert Dickie’s career.
“He was, without a doubt, one of the most talented boxers Wales has produced.
“In the Top 10 in the world at his peak, he was a class act in the ring. If he had a flaw, it was that he lacked the ruthless ambition needed to challenge for a world title.
“For most Dickie fans, though, that lack of ambition was part of the charm of the man. He had a ‘take it or leave it’ attitude to boxing.
“On one occasion, when Dickie had gone ‘off the radar’ during training, I was asked by his Swansea-based trainer Colin Breen to search West Wales for the boxer. Dickie was found, but he came back to the training ring in his own time.
“In recent years, our meetings were mostly in charity dinners, social events, or shopping in Llanelli town centre.
“He was hugely proud of his family, always had a smile and was always keen to recall trips boxing venues such as the Star Leisure Centre in Splott, Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre and the King’s Hall in Stoke.
“When I saw him earlier this summer, he was recovering after an eye operation. But he was his usual happy self and firmly focussed on the future. Local hero, a true character, family man, world-class boxer – there are many epitaphs to use when referring to the tragic loss of Robert Dickie.”
Comments