Huddleston passes

May 14, 2008

By Ray Wheatley -- World of Boxing

Former 1963 Australian light middleweight contender Bobby Huddleston who boxed under the name of George Carroll sadly passed away during April in Canberra, Australia. Carroll was a gifted boxer who in a brief professional career met the best light middleweights and middleweights in Australia as well as a very good American 160 pounder Johnny Torres.

Carroll turned professional in 1963 scoring a six round points decision over Eric Lawson. Vince Took and Allan Roberts won six round points decisons over the aboriginal gloveman. In a rematch over eight rounds, Carroll won a decision over Took. Also in his first year as a professional he clashed with American Johnny Torres who had 34 fights against some of the best in the world including the great Emile Griffith and welterweight contender Jorge Fernandez, losing by decision over ten rounds in both fights. Carroll gave a good account of himself losing via a twelve round points decision to Torres.

In his next ring outing he met the clever Trevor Christian for the vacant Australian 154 pound title at Sydney Stadium. Christian was ahead when the fight was stopped in round seven due to a cut eye suffered by Carroll.

Carroll hung up the gloves in 1965 after he was outscored over six by future Australian middleweight champion Dick Blair. "I knew Bob well. He was an allround sportsman as a teenager," remembered lifelong friend Stan Beard. "He was good at all sports. He became a draugftsman and worked in Canberra in later years."

Bob will be sadly missed by the boxing fraternity and his family and friends. He was 67 years of age.