Joe Bygraves. 1931 - 2012

We are greatly saddened by the passing of Joe Bygraves, the former British Empire titleholder from Kingston, Jamaica, on the 6th January this year.

Bygraves took up boxing at age 17, a couple of years after leaving Jamaica for Birkenhead, and turned professional in 1952. He famously defeated Henry Cooper by KO during Cooper's first title fight.

Joe Frater says:
"I have known Joe [Bygraves] for many years. He has always impressed me as one of the most dignified boxers I have ever met. "

Joe Bygraves' Empire Title fight
at British Pathé News

Our thoughts are with Joe's family
at this sad time.

Sir Henry Cooper. 1934 - 2011

We were saddened to learn of the passing of the great Sir Henry Cooper in May 2011. He will be sadly missed.

Joe says:

"Over the years I have met Sir Henry Cooper on many occasions. His encouragement and advice within the boxing fraternity I will cherish for the rest of my life."

"He was one of the best."

Joe Hangs Up Gloves on Boxing Shows

Former British Boxing Promoter Joe Frater has decided to retire from boxing promotion to concentrate on supporting his wife Lynne, after her accident at the couple’s home in 2008.

Joe presents Carl 'The Cat' Thompson with a belt in 1993 - "Those were the good days" he says.

Joe would like to thank all of the guests, sponsors and boxing fans who have made the shows so enjoyable and memorable over the years. While he enjoyed organising the events, it was a time-consuming and demanding job.

Over the years, Joe has brought many huge names in boxing to Cleethorpes – first at the Winter Gardens and later at the Beacholme. Barry McGuigan, Amir Khan, Earnie Shavers, Ricky “Hitman” Hatton, Frank Bruno, Richie Woodhall and Herol “Bomber” Graham are just some of the names to have graced the billing at Joe’s shows over the years.

Despite his retirement, Joe wishes the best to all the new boys on the block – those coming up through the ranks in local boxing. His son Trevor’s gym in Louth continues to draw in local boxing enthusiasts, and Joe himself can still be found at his garage on Grimsby’s Legsby Avenue where he runs the family business with the helf of his other boys.

Welcome to the Joe Frater Boxing
Promoter official website.

Here at Joe Frater, we have been holding boxing events for many years and are now well established in the community for holding professional events and shows that are sure to please everyone.

We always ensure that every event held is pleasing to all, from the boxers, their agents and of course our customers. We invite the biggest names in British Boxing to attend our Boxing Shows.

At every event we have good food, a comedian and professional boxers and memorabilia, tickets are always reasonably priced and everyone is guaranteed a good nights entertainment.