Milch carries on Jewish UK boxers’ tradition

JACK MILNER

Milch maintained his unbeaten record as he claimed his 13th professional victory last Saturday night, although he did admit to being “disappointed” with his overall performance.

He beat Lithuanian Arvydas Tryzno on points and the referee, who was the sole judge, awarded the fight to Milch by just one point, 58-57.

“I was a little bit disappointed with my performance. I’m not making any excuses, but it was so hot in the hall – I was shvitzing, full-on shvitzing! I felt very flat out there, and not as sharp as usual – I had to grit my teeth at times.”

Describing the six rounds as a “learning experience”, he added: “The guy was coming for a win; he wanted to take my head off, so I had to listen to my coach, Ian Burbedge, and box to instruction. I moved around and boxed from the outside, but it was a great learning fight.”

This was his first fight since his November knock-out win and he believes ring rust may have contributed to his performance. “Six months out of the ring is a long time. My coaches kept me busy, but it is a long time out. Keeping busy is the key; you can spar, but it’s not the same as being in the ring.

“I had to dig deep. It was a tough night but, as I said, it’s a great learning curve. I wouldn’t say it was frustrating, I felt flat myself, but that’s nothing to do with him, I give him full credit. He came to win – and to win by a knock out – whereas for me, I wanted to show my skills tonight, which I wasn’t fully able to do.”

Milch believes boxing teaches one about life. “I love competing, and winning feels great. Not just for myself, but for the team around me also. And for all those supporting me. Hard work pays off.

“A challenge is a challenge. It’s not about the outcome, it’s about how you address it and deal with it as best as you can while it’s happening. Boxing, or no boxing, we all have battles in life. They all make you stronger.”

Looking at what is coming next he added: “I’m on the radar now for some national titles. It will be either the Southern Area or British – that’s what’s on my mind though – or even the English one.”

It is interesting to note that Jewish boxers have had great success in Britain over the centuries, especially considering the man known as the “father of modern boxing”, Daniel Mendoza, was Jewish. He was English champion from 1792 to 1795.

Anna Whitwham in her novel “Boxer Handsome”, although not Jewish herself, decided it would be right to make her hero of Jewish/boxing stock.   

As she delved into the history of British boxing, she noted that fighting is an immigrant sport, and with the influx of Jewish refugees from Poland and Russia at the end of the 19th century, London’s East End boxing scene, already tapping Irish talent, was further reinvigorated.

Ted “Kid” Lewis was born Gershon Mendeloff in 1893. In 1913, he won the British and European featherweight titles, and in 1915 was named world welterweight champion in America.

Harry Mizler, whose shorts bore a Union Jack on one side and a Magen David on the other, was taught to punch by his big brothers Moe and Judah. His victories included the British lightweight crown, which he successfully defended for just nine months before losing it to Jack “Kid” Berg, whose career would span three decades and nearly 200 professional contests.

Other stars of the era included Benny Caplan and Jack Hyams, the latter competing as “Kid Froggy”.

“By the 1920s, boxing had become an integral part of life in London’s Jewish East End,” wrote Whitwham. “My great-grandfather Abe, would regularly join spectators at Premierland, the venue whose inaugural bout had featured Kid Lewis.

“It was what everyone did, my great-aunt recalls. He even took her once, though she was too small to remember anything except standing on the seat beside him. When her brothers were a bit older, they were sent to boxing classes for self-defence.”