Ali’s title a tribute to Woodcock

NAMIBIA’S first-ever Commonwealth boxing champion, Ali Nuumbembe, has been paying his own poignant tribute to the man who dreamed of seeing him fight for the title.

Peter Woodcock, from Old Glossop, had been friends with Ali Nuumbembe since the Namibian arrived in Glossop four and-a-half years ago. And he always said he would be ‘at the ringside wearing a bow tie’, when Ali fought for his first title.Woodcock, father of Ali’s agent Chad Parker, died aged 64 on January 12, just a few weeks before Ali was due to face champion Kevin Anderson for the welterweight belt.Ali, also dubbed as ‘The Silent Assassin’ faced and beat the so far unbeaten Scott in Fyfe over a week ago and both he and the family were determined that Woodcock would be there in spirit.Before taking the long drive to Fyfe, Ali and Parker visited Woodcock’s grave in Glossop Cemetery to lay flowers.He walked into the cauldron of noise that was the Kirkcaldy Ice Rink wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with a photograph of Woodcock.When Ali and Parker arrived back in Glossop on Saturday, they drove up to the cemetery.And in an emotional moment held the gleaming belt over Peter’s last resting place.”It was something we all wanted to do,” said Parker.”Peter had so wanted to see Ali fight for a title.He didn’t come to previous fights because when I ran The Beehive, he never let me close the pub! He would stay behind and run it.Peter always said he’d be at the big title fight but never made it, so it was a wonderful tribute,” said Parker.Now Glossop has its first ever Commonwealth boxing champion, Ali wants to bring a world title to the town he calls his second home.The 28-year-old Namibian turned the fight world upside down by outpointing Anderson.Minutes after the fight he was telling Sky TV commentators how he was over the moon to win the title for Namibia – and Glossop.Twenty-four hours later and Ali was back in Glossop showing off the belt and thanking fans for their support.Since arriving in the High Peak, the whole town has been following his progress.Pubs all over Glossop were packed with cheering fans watching the fight on television.And as Ali did a walk-about with the Chronicle the following Monday, people were queuing to shake his hand, get his autograph and have their photo taken with the new champion.Talking to the Chronicle, Ali said he appreciated just how much support and affection he had been given by the people of Glossop.Arguably the town’s most popular sportsman, he has switched on Glossop’s Christmas tree lights, been a VIP guest at celebrity occasions, and is a popular figure at local schools.In Namibia, Ali is as popular, especially with his former colleagues in the army who are always eager to hear the latest on his career.Ali had a lifelong dream of winning the title and despite losing his Namibian welterweight crown to fellow countryman, Tyson Uushona, he pushed for the title that he always wanted.The boxer has represented the country on numerous international events before turning professional and is one of the most successful pros outside Namibian borders.lchdesign.co.ukAnd he always said he would be ‘at the ringside wearing a bow tie’, when Ali fought for his first title.Woodcock, father of Ali’s agent Chad Parker, died aged 64 on January 12, just a few weeks before Ali was due to face champion Kevin Anderson for the welterweight belt.Ali, also dubbed as ‘The Silent Assassin’ faced and beat the so far unbeaten Scott in Fyfe over a week ago and both he and the family were determined that Woodcock would be there in spirit.Before taking the long drive to Fyfe, Ali and Parker visited Woodcock’s grave in Glossop Cemetery to lay flowers.He walked into the cauldron of noise that was the Kirkcaldy Ice Rink wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with a photograph of Woodcock.When Ali and Parker arrived back in Glossop on Saturday, they drove up to the cemetery.And in an emotional moment held the gleaming belt over Peter’s last resting place.”It was something we all wanted to do,” said Parker.”Peter had so wanted to see Ali fight for a title.He didn’t come to previous fights because when I ran The Beehive, he never let me close the pub! He would stay behind and run it.Peter always said he’d be at the big title fight but never made it, so it was a wonderful tribute,” said Parker.Now Glossop has its first ever Commonwealth boxing champion, Ali wants to bring a world title to the town he calls his second home.The 28-year-old Namibian turned the fight world upside down by outpointing Anderson.Minutes after the fight he was telling Sky TV commentators how he was over the moon to win the title for Namibia – and Glossop.Twenty-four hours later and Ali was back in Glossop showing off the belt and thanking fans for their support.Since arriving in the High Peak, the whole town has been following his progress.Pubs all over Glossop were packed with cheering fans watching the fight on television.And as Ali did a walk-about with the Chronicle the following Monday, people were queuing to shake his hand, get his autograph and have their photo taken with the new champion.Talking to the Chronicle, Ali said he appreciated just how much support and affection he had been given by the people of Glossop.Arguably the town’s most popular sportsman, he has switched on Glossop’s Christmas tree lights, been a VIP guest at celebrity occasions, and is a popular figure at local schools.In Namibia, Ali is as popular, especially with his former colleagues in the army who are always eager to hear the latest on his career.Ali had a lifelong dream of winning the title and despite losing his Namibian welterweight crown to fellow countryman, Tyson Uushona, he pushed for the title that he always wanted.The boxer has represented the country on numerous international events before turning professional and is one of the most successful pros outside Namibian borders.lchdesign.co.uk