The World Boxing Hall of Fame 2006 inductee's statue for Bert Gilroy, in the form of a signed 12in. high bronze by the American sculptor Steven Harpst

The World Boxing Hall of Fame 2006 inductee's statue for Bert Gilroy, in the form of a signed 12in. high bronze by the American sculptor Steven Harpst titled 'The Prizefighter,' set on a circular wooden plinth with brass plaque inscribed WORLD BOXING HALL OF FAME, BANQUET OF CHAMPIONS, BERT GILROY, OCTOBER 14, 2006; sold together with a privately published book 'Gilroy Was Here!, The Life & Career of Scottish Boxing Legend Bert Gilroy' by Jim Glen and co-author Ian Macfarlane, the book signed by the author Jim Glen; together with a privately produced and beautifully presented 'scrap book' by Jim Glen titled ''The Thistle In the Rose, Scotland's Greatest 'Big-Man' Bert Gilroy'' of which only 25 have been made and being in the form of an A3-size laminated career history illustrated through scanned press cuttings and photograph with accompanying narrative; a digital version on CD is also included in the lot for computer use; plus five scanned b&w photographs of Gilroy (9) Bert Gilroy (1918-1998) was born in Airdrie in Scotland of Italian Parentage, his birth name being Antonio Rea. Bert Gilroy was a skilful, talented first class boxer with knockout potency in both fists. He was a game and willing fighter who was Middleweight and Light-Heavyweight Champion of Scotland from 1938-50; Bert lost 12 of his first 34 bouts but then went unbeaten in 41 bouts, from mid-1937 until early 1943. In fact, from mid-1937 until the end of his career in 1950, Gilroy tasted defeat only 13 times out of his next 85 contests, fighting some of the greatest fighters Britain and Europe had to offer. Seven of these contests met with question or controversy in either the decision or circumstances surrounding the fights. About the time Bert Gilroy reached his peak in 1939, World War II broke out and boxing interest became secondary. Many historians feel it cost Gilroy an opportunity to win a world title ! Gilroy was a victim of ''Boxing Politics'' and found himself at odds with fellow British greats, Ernie Roderick, the fearsome Jock McAvoy, and world Champion Freddie Mills for title bouts and ''title eliminator'' bouts that never happened. He was effectively shut-out; such is, at times, the unfortunate and unfair nature of the 'sweet science.' Gilroy compiled a career record of 86 wins (44KOs), 25 losses and 8 draws over 18 years of excellence and top flight status. In his career, the fighter met such men as Ben Valentine, Arthur ''Ginger'' Sadd, Glen Moody (Welsh champion and brother of Frank), Jack ''Froggy'' Hyams, Freddie Mills, Bruce Woodcock, Ken Shaw, Marcel Cerdan, Don Cockell and Stephan Olek. Bert Gilroy was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 2006, and was only the 6th British boxer to receive this honour. He is arguably Britain's greatest fighter never to hold a world title, and arguably Britain's greatest ever middleweight boxer.