LETTER OF THE WEEK
I WAS very sorry to learn of the death of Dave Roden on February 5, following many years of illness. Dave had been a Director of the Commonwealth Boxing Council since the company was incorporated in 1997, at which time he was a Steward of the British Boxing Board of Control – a post he held until illness forced him out of that position. Prior to that, Dave had been a pro boxer, amassing a record of 11 wins and eight losses between 1971 and 1974. He was a principal sparring partner to Joe Bugner and he defeated former Schoolboy sensation, Graham Sines. His last contest saw him lose a challenge for the Midlands Area heavyweight title against Rocky Campbell. After his career in the ring, he became a manager for the likes of Roger Guest and Achille “Speedy” Mitchell. Dave was also a successful businessman – everything he had, he got by dint of his own hard work. Like everything else he did in life, Dave pursued his role as a CBC Director with endless enthusiasm. He had been much missed since illness prevented him from attending our meetings five years ago. Dave was a big and generous man with a big and generous heart. I can speak for his colleagues on the CBC Board to say how saddened they will all be at his passing. Simon Block, Commonwealth Boxing
Council