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W Bro Stephen Powell writes:

As a Special Interest Lodge dedicated to the sport of boxing, Islington Lodge remained highly active throughout 2025. The year began on a high note, following the resounding success of a guest night held in October 2024. This “white table” event celebrated the 50th anniversary of John Conteh’s World Light Heavyweight Championship victory in October 1974, and was attended by the former champion himself.

Building on this momentum, members participated in a dinner boxing show as guests of Islington Amateur Boxing Club (IABC) in 2025.

Three Lodge members play significant roles within IABC: Bro Lennie Hagland and his son Bro Reggie, who both hold administrative positions at the club and within the broader amateur boxing circuit, and SW Bro Vinny Cochrane, a long-time trainee at the club. Looking ahead, the Lodge aspires to co-host a boxing dinner show with Islington Boxing Club in 2027, and in the meantime, they are planning to take a table at IABC’s next dinner show in May 2026.

Strengthening Bonds Through Boxing

Beyond Islington, the Lodge’s connections continue to grow. Essex Mason W Bro Richard Saunders was eager to reconnect with his long-lost adoptive family and needed to contact professional boxer Billy Adams.

After reaching out to the Lodge and utilising its links with the London Ex-Boxers Association (LEBA), contact with Billy Adams was established. W Bro Saunders, Billy, and their families reunited at the Fabio Wardley vs Justis Huni World Title match at Ipswich Football Ground in June 2025. Since then, W Bro Saunders has enjoyed further meetings with his ‘extended family’ and looks forward to following Billy Adams’ boxing career as an avid fan.

The Lodge has been visited by former amateur boxer, W Bro Billy Philips, SLGR, a prominent referee and ringside official, who gave a talk on his boxing career, and the need to get tested for Prostate Cancer. Also, we met W Bro Phil Watford, a former professional, who won the Southern Area Light-heavyweight championship, in 1968.

Honouring Achievements and Contributions

Non Mason Scott Ewing, a notable member and benefactor of LEBA, required a sponsor to obtain the Freedom of the City of London. Islington’s W Bro Michael Osborne SLGR, PPJrGW (Essex) stepped in as his sponsor. During the ceremony at London’s Guildhall, Mike met with both John Conteh and Peter Haymer. Peter, who was initiated into Islington Lodge in April, boasts an impressive record as a former National Amateur Boxing Champion and English Light-Heavyweight Champion as a professional. He is also an active LEBA committee member, while John Conteh serves as a Vice President of the association.

Welcoming New Members from the Boxing World

Islington Lodge has seen a steady influx of new members from the boxing community. Bro Bill Cox, a distinguished amateur boxing official and referee, has joined the ranks, alongside W Bro Jeff Borsack SLGR PPrGADC; an octogenarian who boxed for The Royal Air Force and Great Britain. LEBA member Bro Alan Nesbit and boxing enthusiast Andrian Glowaki were initiated together in the Lodge’s first double ceremony in living memory. Another recent addition, W Bro ‘Riz’ Khan, chose the Lodge as his son is currently boxing and studying in London.

More recently, Bro Paul Foster, an administrator at Bromley and District Amateur Boxing Club, was also initiated into the Lodge, further strengthening the Lodge’s ties to amateur boxing.

Charitable Activities and Celebrations

In December 2025, W Bro Edward Compton, the residing master, attended the LEBA Christmas meeting at Wetherspoon’s ‘Peverel’s Oak’ pub in High Holborn. During the event, he proudly presented two cheques for £500 each – one to Derek Williams, former British, Commonwealth, and European Heavyweight Champion, on behalf of the Pedro Boxing and Youth Club in Hackney, and another to Mr Ray Caulfield, LEBA’s secretary and treasurer, on behalf of the LEBA benevolent fund.

These donations came from the Master’s list of W Bro Stephen Powell SLGR, PPGStB (W.Kent). At the same meeting, Bro Peter Haymer was presented with a replica of his English Light-Heavyweight Championship belt by LEBA. Unlike the Lonsdale Belts, which a boxer retains after three successful defences, the English Belt must be relinquished upon losing or vacating the title, regardless of the number of defences. Peter, who relinquished his title undefeated to compete for the British and Commonwealth titles, was thus unable to keep his original belt.

Club Merchandise and Identity

The Lodge recently received a batch of special merchandise, including T-shirts and sweatshirts emblazoned with ‘Islington Lodge, the Masonic Boxing Lodge’. These have been warmly received by members, with all supply, design, and printing handled by Islington A.B.C. through Bro Len and Bro Reg Hagland.

Looking to the Future

The outlook for Islington Lodge is positive, with growing membership since adopting its boxing special interest focus. Initiates are queuing to join, including a British Boxing Board of Control licensed coach and promoter. The Lodge is thriving and, by all measures, is well ahead on points. So, it’s, ‘Seconds Out’ for the coming year.

If you're a boxing enthusiast and would like to visit London's Boxing Lodge, then please get in touch with myself, Stephen Powell, at  

This article is part of Arena Magazine Issue 60 – Spring 2026.
Arena Magazine is the official online magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in Arena Issue 60 here.

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