Jack is hooked on boxing

All action . . . Jack Doughty at his gym in Shaw

JACK DOUGHTY has packed a powerful punch in boxing for the past 25 years.

Shaw-based Jack had an interest in boxing from childhood after hearing stories of his uncles Charlie and Walter Overy who were well-known local fighters in the 1920s and 30s.

It was only later in life that Jack became actively involved in the sport after striking up a friendship with boxer Brian Roche.

Back in the mid-1980s Jack would watch Roche being trained by Paddy Lyons and gradually he became more and more involved.

Since then, Jack has trained and managed boxers as well as staging regular shows at Tara Sports & Leisure.

And Jack, who still loves his involvement in training, has achieved considerable success as his boxers have landed world, Commonwealth and British titles.

He looks back on the likes of Charles Shepherd, Bobby Vanzie, Aidy Lewis and Choi Tseveenpurev as being the jewels in his crown.

And today his stable includes Darren Stubbs and Shinny Bayaar who have both also achieved considerable success.

Though Jack boxed a little in his Army days, rugby league was his sport and he had a spell with Oldham in the mid-1950s, though a badly broken leg ended the career of the scrum half.

Jack has had a varied working life as he did various jobs in the building trade after starting out as an apprentice bricklayer.

He also ran a well-known dance business with his late wife Marianne Jepson and has also had a career performing in theatre and music halls.

Jack is also a keen writer and has had four books published on boxing and local history. He has also written a radio play for the BBC, “The Shadow of Slim, and a stage play, “The Cato Street Conspiracy” which was performed in London.