Dave Cranswick

This morning I met a true gentleman from our town, a man that had spent over 40 years of his life as a Merchant Seaman, and whom had represented Welsh Boxing in the 1966 British Empire & Commonwealth Games in Jamaica. Dave Cranswick now aged 72 years began his boxing career at the Domino Club in Thompson Street. Whilst being part of the Barry Sea Cadets he started to learn his craft in what was then a makeshift boxing ring erected so that the boys could learn to box. As an amateur boxer Dave would be under the watchful eye of Bill 'Wilf' West who trained Dave throughout his amateur career. Dave had a very successful amateur career winning welterweight titles as a junior, and light middle as a senior. On 5th May 1967 he competed at the British ABA National Championships in Wembley, London winning the final against Tom McKenzie of Scotland. In the 1966 Commonwealth Games Dave lost to the eventual Gold medal winner. In 1968 Dave Cranswick became a professional boxer He boxed at welterweight; middleweight and took part in 21 professional contests. One of his proudest memories as a professional Boxer was that he was requested to be the sparring partner of Ken Buchanan in the build up to his fight with Roberto Duran. Dave spent 3 weeks in the camp as a sparring partner to Buchanan. I spent over an hour chatting with Dave this morning, he has so many memories of this town. He showed me his family photographs, he is so proud of his children and his wife, and never stops smiling. Dave Cranswick from a 'Year in Barry' it was a pleasure.