Few in Monmouth know the town is home to a former British champion boxer, fewer still know he kicked off his sporting career with a punch at a bus stop.Over a boxing career spanning two decades, John Williams fought 180 times, losing only 15 and winning the vast majority by knock outs.John boxed for Wales, won the South Western Divisional Championship 62/63 and the National Championships of Great Britain in 1968, but he got started thanks to a chance encounter.The 14-year-old John had been out with friends in Bargoed when he accidentally stood in the wrong bus queue."This was the first time I'd met Bill Thomas, who was to be my future manager," said John."He was stood there with his champion, who told me to get out of the queue."I told him I didn't like the way he was talking and hit him."Bill asked me where I lived so I said 'Rhymney mister' and he asked if he could come and see me.

For full story see Beacon 04/05/11.