A FORMER US amateur boxing heavyweight champion who used to spar heavyweight great Larry Holmes visited Cardigan ABC's Maesyrhaf gym last week.

Zeke Wilson, a 59-year-old promoter from the legendary fight town of Philadelphia, is touring Wales plugging the film of his life story.

Among those at the gym to greet him were Cardigan ABC president Chris Lawson and club secretary Gareth Davies.

The visit was covered by a team from the S4C programme Heno and broadcast the following night, complete with interviews with some of the boxers.

'The Eighth Round' – the title of Zeke Wilson's autobiography which has now been made into a short film – tells how Zeke fought a precedent-setting court battle in the US over racial discrimination.

“I was a fight promoter and went to Massachusetts to do an event but different bodies of the state cancelled me because of the colour of my skin,” he said. “The state law said anyone who did boxing events had to pay $5,000.

“I was asked to pay $10,000 and white individuals didn't have to pay. “I did all my deposition and summary judgement myself and won my case in front of a jury.”

With Cardigan ABC head coach Guy Croft away on boxing duty, last Thursday's training session was led by Fishguard-based trainer Kev O'Sullivan – aided by an enthusiastic Zeke.

The 6ft 3in Wilson told the young boxers. “I haven't taken a smoke or had a drink in my entire life.

“Boxing is a life-changing experience – the skills and discipline you guys are learning in this gym will serve you well throughout your entire lives.”

Cardigan ABC chairman Mike Lewis said afterwards the boxers had been “inspired” by Zeke's presence.

“The 'Great White Hope' era is still in living memory and the stand Zeke made in Massachusetts shows that racism still exists within the sport and needs to be confronted head-on,” he said.

“Zeke's a great guy and our kids really enjoyed meeting him. Cardigan may be a long way from Philadelphia, but he said we instantly made him feel at home!”