OVER the decades the most prized trophy of former fighter Ray Fallone — a boxer with precisely 100 pro fights to his name — had deteriorated badly.
But thanks to his sons and popular BBC daytime TV programme, The Repair Shop, it has been restored to its former glory.
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The legendary Londoner, of Furze Hill Road, Shanklin, fought at welterweight level between 1962 and 1975 — still a golden era of the sport, in which Ray rubbed shoulders with the likes of Henry Cooper, John Conteh, Joe Bugner and Terry Downes on the pro circuit.
In fact, he used to play the odd round of golf with 'Our 'Enry' and Conteh.
His record of 100 fights has an impressive record attached to it — that he was never knocked out or stopped, going the full distance in each bout. It remains a British record.
Ray was eventually inducted into British Ex-Boxers Hall of Fame five years ago.
When he retired, Ray established a boxing gym in Battersea and brought in kids from the street to teach them the sport — a father figure to so many, who he kept on the straight and narrow.
His amazing career in and out the ring was recognised with a prestigious Services to Boxing award 45 years ago at the Thomas a Becket boxing pub in London's Old Kent Road — also the home of Henry Cooper's gym.
The trophy is a miniature boxing ring, with pewter figures on a wooden plinth with brass plate.
However, with two sons playing with it as a toy as they were growing up, it eventually became the worst for wear — like many of Ray's opponents in his heyday.
Ray's sons, Max and Joe — as a big surprise for their dad — took it along to The Repair Shop team, based at the Weald and Downland Living Museum in Chichester to get restored back to its former glory.
Craftsman, Brenton West, was given the challenge of fixing the trophy — giving it new ropes, pads and canvas and repairing the two frail pewter figures to make it look like a ring again.
"The ring looked like it did more than 100 fights. Gluing on the new canvas was a tricky, one shot deal, which worked perfectly," Brent said.
Looking at a picture of Ray in a fight, Brent added: "It did feel like Ray was watching me, so I'm glad I got it right."
It was a real 'wow' moment for Max and Joe when the finished article was unveiled.
"The award was in a bit of a state when we dropped it off. Now it looks incredible," said Max.
Ray, who had to stay at home during lockdown, was over the moon when he received the restored prize.
"When I look at it now, I can't believe it. It actually made me feel quite emotional. What a great job," he said.
The award is an important part of the family's history.
"We will be able to pass it on to our kids one day, so dad's achievements won't be forgotten for future generations," Max said.
Watch the show (series seven, episode 15) on BBC iplayer
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