Some of you may have seen this chap at our gym on a Wednesday evening (might look a little older these days), doing some pad work with a few of the boxers including Albie, Charlie and Mason. We will be seeing more of him of him in the coming weeks and benefiting from his wealth of experience.
Andy is one of the nicest guys you’ll meet, so feel free to say hello and have a chat. Not too long though as he chats better than he used to box, and he wasn’t half bad at that.
Andy won three consecutive ABA titles, represented the UK at the 1980 Summer Olympics and went on to a professional career which included winning the British cruiserweight title.
He had a successful career as an amateur, which included winning ABA light-heavyweight titles in 1979, 1980, and 1981, and representing the UK at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.
He turned professional in 1982 and won seven of his first eight fights before moving to the USA and boxing at World renowned Kronk Gym. He moved back to UK going unbeaten in his next eight fights, leading to a fight against Tee Jay in October 1986 for the British cruiserweight title vacated by Sammy Reeson. Andy won on points to become British champion.
His first defence came in February 1987 against Roy Smith, with Smith taking the title on points. Andy then fought Glenn McCrory in an eliminator for the title, losing after a cut eye forced a stoppage in the tenth round. When McCrory vacated the title, Andy was again matched with Tee Jay and took a points decision to become British champion for a second time in November 1988.
This time his first defence was against Johnny Nelson and again Straughn lost the title, Nelson stopping him in the eighth round in May 1989.
In March 1990 Andy challenged Derek Angol for the Commonwealth cruiserweight title at the Royal Albert Hall, just falling short in what was his final fight.
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