International Women’s Day…..Jane Couch at MEBA

All I can say is WOW!

What a way for M.E.B.A. to celebrate International Women’s Day, in an unprecedented move, we managed to schedule an extra event in the M.E.B.A. calendar, with an interview with Jane Couch M.B.E. at our spiritual home, The Irish World Heritage Centre, and what a turn out!!!!!!

Jane, managed to get hers and our good friend Billy “The Preacher” Graham (former trainer of our very own Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton RIP), in attendance, and hopefully Ian will secure an interview with him soon.

There were also a lot of other people in attendance from the boxing fraternity, notably, Michael Brodie (complete with belt), Steve “The Viking” Foster, Steve Foster Jnr, Mike Whalley, Russ Arrowsmith, Bob Hulin, Dave Chapman, Joe Pennington, Ian Harrison, The Connellan Family and Tommy Battle, to name a few. All in all, just under 50 people managed to attend.

After formal introductions,  our secretary, Ian Harrison gave us a resume of Jane's career highlighting the struggles that she encountered along the way whilst becoming the pioneer of Women’s boxing in this country, including her court cases against the hierarchy and how her total dedication and love for the sport saw her pull through those tough times to become the first licensed female boxer in the UK in 1998.

In 2001, she published her autobiography, Jane Couch- Fleetwood Assassin.

In 2007, she was appointed A Member of The Order of the British Empire (M.B.E.).

In 2012, she was awarded the AOCA/Awakening Outstanding Contribution Award for her part played in raising public awareness and acceptance of female fighters.

In 2016 Jane was inducted into the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame in Florida.

In June 2024 Jane was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, becoming the first British Woman to receive this honour. A trailblazer for women’s boxing, she was recognised for her five-time world champion status and her landmark legal fight that secured professional licensing for women in the UK.

We then had a short break and refreshments (kindly supplied by Welfare Officer Eddie Cartwright and Daughter), This was also a time for Photos with Jane, who honestly went out of her way to speak to every single person. Hopefully, a gallery of photos will be up shortly from our resident photographer, Brian Starke.

After the break, Jane spoke candidly about her personal struggles trying to get the recognition she deserved. She also shared lots of anecdotes from her career a lot that can’t be put into print!!!

Then time for more photos and chats with members, certainly one interview that will stay with me for a long time, Jane, from the bottom of our hearts, many thanks for the insight and you will be welcome back anytime.

All in all, not too bad for a girl from Fleetwood who just wanted to do what she loved – BOX !!!!!!!!

Thanks once again to everyone for attending and Ian Harrison for organising such a great afternoons entertainment.

Stef Roczniak

(Web Manager and Interim Chairman)