Ross' grandfather, Doug Bidwell enjoys a cuppa with Alan.
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Ross entered the ABA's and got
to the London final, where he was out pointed by a very good amateur
and now professional champion David Walker. This fight was very
tough and many at ringside thought Ross had done enough. But it
wasn't to be, and Walker went on to win the ABA Title that year.
After some very disappointing losses (in fights that most felt Ross
had won) Doug thought very strongly that the pro ranks would suit
Ross better. In addition to this the scoring from the ABA officials
looked to be very biased against Ross, possibly influenced by whispers
going around that Doug's main interest was leading Ross towards
a pro career. The truth being that Doug knew only too well that
a strong amateur standing helps to lay the foundations for any good
professional sportsman.
" I got a lot of decisions against me because of my aggressive
style. The amateur officials don't agree with the youngsters mixing
with professionals for some reason, so I had to keep my sessions
with Trevor secret. Personally I think they should be pleased that
a fighter has aspirations to become a professional champion. I feel
they should help to broaden young fighters knowledge of the boxing
art, by encouraging pro-am mixing, and fairly supporting boxing
as a whole."
Doug put the pro career on hold as he knew Ross needed more experience,
but he continued to encourage Ross's training with Trevor to keep
building his knowledge for the future.Ross and Doug had a very strong
bond as did Alan and Doug many years before, but then Doug fell
ill with pancreas cancer which tore their bond apart as well as
Ross's heart. Ross was nineteen when Doug fell ill, it was ABA time
again and Doug was quite confident in Ross winning this year's title.
"My granddad was in hospital and I was now travelling alone
sharing my training days between Jim and Trevor. It felt very lonely
without him there. I couldn't face the ABA's with him laying in
hospital so I didn't enter."
Doug was given three months to live but he battled on for a year
until he died at the age of 70 in May 1999."I lost my grandfather, trainer and best friend in one fatal blow which crushed me."
Ross focussed his anger and pain into the boxing and vowed to
become a champion for himself and his late grandfather. Jimmy Smith
then took Ross under his wing at the Lynn and it wasn't long before
he was fighting again. Soon after however the politics at the Lynn
were becoming to much for Jim who asked Ross to move with him to
the Fitzroy Lodge. Ross agreed and became a member of the illustrious
Lodge ABC, where he met the great Mick Carney and Billy Webster
(long time trainers at the club).
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