Charlie Pearson

Charlie Pearson’s 36 years as a boxing trainer earned him multiple, deserved plaudits on his retirement in 2006 at the age of 71.

The Penarth man had also been an impressive fighter in his own right, his love affair with the sport having begun at the age of 10.

Enzo Maccarinelli (Photo: Maccarinelli’s Facebook fan page)

As an amateur he secured seven Welsh titles and four British crowns, including the prestigious All-Star championship in 1951.

As a professional trainer at his renowned Penarth gym, Pearson took Nicky Piper to three world-title shots, before guiding a young Enzo Maccarinelli to the WBU cruiserweight crown.

“Enzo’s not the finished article and he knows that,” said Pearson on his retirement in 2006. “But he’s got all the makings if he keeps doing the right things.”

Piper was keen to praise Pearson, telling the South Wales Echo:  “He was one of the best schoolboy boxers in Welsh history.

“He carried that ability on to help us. I joined him at 17 and he was really good at nurturing young people.”