Richie Woodhall leads the tributes to Len

Over 500 spectators packed into the Whitehouse Hotel on the site of AFC Telford United's New Bucks Head last Friday night, writes Craig Birch.

Former WBC world super middleweight champion and club president Richie Woodhall attended, along with the rest of his family.

The respected coach, who served the sport for over 40 years after moving to Telford, passed away in July after a long battle with cancer.

Len, of Warrens Way in Woodside, is survived by his second wife Anne, Richie and his older brothers Lawrence and Steven.

He worked with over 65 champions, from schoolboy to pro, and helped lead 18 boxers to belts in the paid code, despite being involved in a car crash that broke his leg in four places.

But his proudest and most famous moments came in Richie's corner, as his lad first took bronze at the 1988 Olympics and gold at the 1990 Commonwealth Games as an amateur.

Commonwealth, European and WBC belts would follow in the paid game, with Richie putting Telford on the boxing map with world title fights at the town's Ice Rink in the 1990s.

But it was in the gym, clad in his trademark woolly hat, working with prospects is where Richie feels his father was most at home.

Speaking out on his loss, he said: "It's been tough, probably the worst year of my life. He had a good innings and kept going until the end, too, he was a true fighter through and through.

"To come back now and have this night is a great honour for him and I'm very pleased to be representing my dad.

"A lot of our relatives, including his grandchildren, all came along to have a good time and remember him. He's up there with anybody around here for his contribution to boxing.

"He boxed 10 times as an amateur, then coached amateur and pro before going back amateur. I always felt that was where he was at his happiest.

"He was born in West Bromwich and grew up in Birmingham, but I was only two when I came here.

"I consider myself a Telford lad through and through, as I've lived here for most of my life. The area means a lot to my family, it's my home and it will always be."

Richie, who lives in Lightmoor, idoilsed Len and Wellington head coach Mo Fiaz as a child. He followed them to Telford Boxing Club - and later Woodside - and laced on his first glove.

Today Fiaz is the guru of his Mill Lane gym, where 70 members come through the doors to train each evening.

He's supported by his own children in coaches Aroon, Ammir and Kamran, with Malik Hussain also on board. Chairman Patrick Swiverman and their sponsors help to keep them going financially.

Husan Hussain, who was given a run-out on Friday night, brought home their first national title after five years of existence from the England Junior Championships in March.

And Richie can see 'the boxing beliefs' associated with the Woodhall name instilled into Fiaz's young fighters.

He said: "I used to look up to Mo when I was a kid, because he was a bit older than me. My dad coached him and he's took on board so much of what he was taught.

"The local lads are benefitting from the work Mo and my Dad have put in. It's a family club and now he's got two tremendous boxers in his sons Amir and Aroon.

"I'm all for amateur boxing in the area and it's a good gym. They have got dedicated coaches who act as mentors to the kids.

"You need people like that will put their time in, free of charge, and there's a few at Wellington. People like Mo do it every day of the week.

"That's how you become successful and these fighters are being well-schooled. My beliefs, such as movement and how you work behind the jab, are clear to see.

"The game is all about hitting and not getting hit, so it's as much about defensive skills as attacking. That's very important.

"I think this is the best sport in the world, for getting kids off the street and instilling discipline in them. My dad would certainly have agreed with that."

Saqub Shafiq (Wellington) lost on points to George Francis (Droitwich) by unanimous decision at 46kg.

Sean Cain (Wellington) outpointed Ethan Morledge (Aldercar & Langley Mill) on a split decision at 51kg.

Javed 'Bumblebee' Hasnain (Wellington) lost on points to Charlie Hill (Lions) by split decision at 43kg.

Idris Mohammed (Wellington) outpointed Hakeem Ali Hussain (Birmingham City) by unanimous decision at 67kg.

Tawfiq Basharat (Wellington) lost on points to Ryan Howells (Lions) by split decision at 58kg.

Husan Hussain (Wellington) outpointed Tyler Breviglieri (Scunthorpe Centurions) by unanimous decision at 46kg.

Yusuf 'Myles' Mahmood (Wellington) lost on points to Lewis Mauder (Jewellery Quarter) by unanimous decision at 71kg.

Jack Pennells (Wellington) lost on points to Tom Atkinson (Aldercar & Langley Mill) by unanimous decision at 89kg.

Ben Powell (Wellington) stopped Dan Phillips (Meir) in the second round with a left hook to the body.

Kirk Stevens (Wellington) outpointed Aiden Cawley (Droitwich) on a split decision at 70kg.

Ammir Fiaz (Wellington) outpointed Danny Sansom (South Normanton) on a split decision at 71kg.