“The boxer who fought for his people.” Charles Minto in North Shields.

[@terrypatterson1481]

I enjoyed the history of boxer Charlie Minto who my father spoke highly of when I was a boy. I believe he had something to do with Manny Burgo Sr, Joe Myers, and Bibby Richard's who were all professional boxers. They were all immigrants from different parts of Portugal, Africa, Ghana, and Jamaica who boxed out of a place called The Blood Kit where Oddfellows is situated now. Also at the gym was Stan Hawthorne, Johnny Miller and Billy Bunker Bean trained. They would visit the Colonial House to play snooker/ billiards and listen to Jazz music.

[@thenorthshieldsheritologyp990]

Thanks for the information Terry. Charlie Minto was very much involved with the boxing scene locally during the 1930's and 1940's. He coached, match made, promoted, refereed and judged boxing across the region. He actually coached out of Colonial House itself at one point. He also promoted tournaments at Appleby Park and at the Plaza in Tynemouth. The names I have seen him associated with did include Joe Myers, who came to Shields from British Honduras, and as you know was a coach himself at North Shields Boys Club. The other two names I have come across coached by Charlie were Kayo Kalio and Billy Wills, but he no doubt brought on many more young lads in the fight game. Davey Young

[@cathydavis1828]

I enjoyed this too, I wasn't aware of what these men had done I know there are still relatives of Minto living in North Shields

[@thenorthshieldsheritologyp990]

@@cathydavis1828Hi Dave Young from the Heritologists. We would be very keen to track down any relatives of Charles Minto.