Latest news with #TheNolans
Boston Globe
4 days ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Brothers bring boxing back to Fenway after 70 years and hope to revitalize the sport in Boston
'Most people's experience there is solely related to baseball,' said Richard Johnson, Fenway expert and curator at The Sports Museum in Boston. 'But the fact is that this year, you can see an event that'll be very similar to what your grandparents saw.' Advertisement Promoters Mark and Matt Nolan want 'Fight Night at Fenway,' scheduled for Saturday, to be both a time capsule and time machine, taking spectators back to boxing's glory days and what the sport can be for the city in the future. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The Nolans got their license to organize fights last year with the goal of bringing boxing back to Boston. After Fenway, 'That's mission accomplished,' Matt Nolan said. 'It's not just like our dream, it's everybody's dream — every boxer on planet Earth,' he said. 'Just the idea that some kid can fight his way to Fenway Park. It's like hitting the lottery. You can't you can't beat it. There's nothing comparable.' A rich history Boston has played a long and impressive role in American boxing history and the development of the sport itself, said Johnson, author of 'Field of Our Fathers, An Illustrated History of Fenway Park.' Advertisement The city was home to 'Boston's Strong Boy,' John L. Sullivan, born in 1858 to Irish immigrant parents and widely considered America's first sports superstar. The first heavyweight champion of the world, he was as famous as Muhammad Ali was in his time. Sam Langford, a Black Canadian-born boxer, moved to Boston as a teenager but was blocked from competing in the world championships by racist policies and is considered one of the greatest non-champions in boxing. Other boxing stars with Boston connections include Marvin Hagler and Rocky Marciano of nearby Brockton. 'The Boston Bomber' Tony DeMarco, whose statue raises his fists at passersby in Boston's North End, was the last fighter to win in the ring at Fenway in 1956. For a time after it was built, Fenway Park was the only outdoor venue with a significant seating capacity in Boston, making it a destination for all kinds of events, including boxing starting in 1920. After new owners took over in 2002, the park became a venue for a variety of activities, including concerts and sporting events such as hockey, snowboarding, Irish football and curling. 'Back in the day, it was sort of the Swiss Army knife of sports facilities in Boston. And it's returned to that — a little bit of everything. So, returning boxing to the park is just a nod to the past," Johnson said. Other venues can feel 'more corporate and sterile,' but Fenway is living history, said Johnson, who calls it the 'largest open-air museum in New England.' A different pitch Mark Nolan said it's not for lack of trying that no one has hosted a boxing fight at Fenway in almost 70 years. But many promoters couldn't make a pitch that landed with ballpark management. Advertisement The Nolans, who teach full time and own a boxing gym in Waltham where people can train regardless of their ability to pay, were different. After success hosting events at other venues, Mark Nolan said Fenway Sports Group connected to their 'everyman' appeal and decided to give them a shot. The brothers fell in love with boxing while accompanying their father, a boat captain, to the gym as kids. When they expanded from coaching amateur boxers to professionals five years ago, they were dismayed by what they found: shows full of uneven fights set up to make the promoters as much money as possible, with established amateurs fighting people who 'have no right putting gloves on in any capacity whatsoever' in venues like high school gymnasiums. Fighters weren't being paid fairly and contracts weren't transparent. They came up with a simple business plan: pick good venues, pay fighters well and only host matches in Boston proper. They said a lot of promoters sell fighters, but they're focused on selling fights fans want to see. 'They're making sure that every fight is well-matched,' said Thomas 'The Kid' O'Toole, a fighter from rural Galway, Ireland, who has lived in Boston for the past two years, 'Nobody wants to see someone go in and just knock their opponent out right away and beat them up for four, six, eight rounds. They want to see a competitive fight.' O'Toole went professional in 2021 and is undefeated with 13 fights. He said his fight against St. Louis-born Vaughn 'Da Animal' Alexander at Fenway will be 'the biggest test of his career.' Advertisement Massachusetts-born Lexi 'Lil Savage' Bolduc will compete in her fourth professional fight. She faces Sarah Couillard in a rematch after coming out on the losing end of a majority draw at the Royale. 'Fighting at Fenway, I think adds a little bit of pressure because I'm local, I grew up in Mass and idolized a lot of players as I was growing up. ... But at the same time, I'm trying to use it just as a huge opportunity and really soak in the moment,' she said. 'Pressure makes diamonds. 'To be able to kind of stand on that same ground of some of the most accomplished athletes, it's really remarkable,' she said.
Extra.ie
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Stepson of late singer Linda Nolan dies after his own battle with cancer
Linda Nolan's stepson Lloyd has sadly passed away from cancer just months after her tragic death. The Irish star and TV personality died on January 15, 'surrounded by her devoted family' aged 65. The singer of the family group The Nolans revealed her cancer battle in 2022 and announced that it had spread to her brain back in March of 2023 — with the tumours affecting her balance and leaving her needing to use a wheelchair. Linda Nolan's stepson Lloyd has sadly passed away from cancer just months after her tragic death. Pic: Yui Mok/PA Wire She died at Blackpool Victoria Hospital after being admitted with double pneumonia. Just four months on, Lloyd, the son of Linda's late husband Brian Hudson, has also passed. He was originally diagnosed with throat cancer in 2023, with doctors ruling out surgery due to the size of the tumour and the proximity to his vocal cords. The Irish star and TV personality died on January 15, 'surrounded by her devoted family' aged 65. Pic:for Hearst A family friend told The Sun: 'They were fighting side by side, Linda would finish her treatment and text him to check in. 'They joked about their meds, shared their side effects, cried together too. Linda really thought he'd outlive her. She needed that belief.' In a tragic turn of events, Lloyd's father Brian died of cancer in 2007, bringing himself and Linda even closer. The singer of the family group The Nolans revealed her cancer battle in 2022 and announced that it had spread to her brain back in March of 2023 — with the tumours affecting her balance and leaving her needing to use a wheelchair. Pic: ITV. The friend said: 'They had a special relationship. Lloyd wasn't just Brian's son, he became Linda's too. She loved him with all her heart. 'If Linda were here, she'd be screaming that this isn't fair. She fought for everyone else, now we've lost them both. It's more than any family should bear.' The Nolans also lost their sister Bernie in 2013, after she died of breast cancer at the age of 52. Anne was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000, having been given the all-clear for the second time in 2022, while Coleen revealed she had skin cancer in 2023. Their brother Brian, 69, also recently revealed he is suffering from stage 2 prostate cancer.
Telegraph
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Linda Nolan's stepson dies of cancer months after singer
Linda Nolan's stepson has died months after the singer also lost her life to cancer. The Nolans singer died aged 65 in January after a 20-year battle with the disease which spread around her body. Lloyd Hudson, the son of Nolan's late husband, Brian Hudson, died on Tuesday following a much shorter battle with cancer. He was diagnosed with throat cancer in September 2023. However, due to its severity, it was deemed incurable and surgery was therefore ruled out. A close family friend said: 'They were fighting side by side – Linda would finish her treatment and text him to check in. 'They joked about their meds, shared their side effects, cried together too. Linda really thought he'd outlive her. She needed that belief.' 'Cancer doesn't pick and choose' Speaking on Good Morning Britain last August, Nolan said her family had been given a 'rough time' by cancer as she spoke of her stepson's diagnosis. On the prevalence of the disease in her family, she said: 'I'm just like everybody else really – I just want it to go, or leave us alone for a little while at least. 'It doesn't pick and choose. You can't put your name down and say you're next in line. But we have had a rough time with it.' Nolan was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 but given the all-clear in 2011, before the cancer returned in 2017. In 2020, it had spread, and by 2023 it was in her brain. The Nolans comprised of sisters Linda, Coleen, Maureen, Bernie, Denise and Anne. They had seven UK top 20 hits, including I'm in the Mood for Dancing in 1980, which peaked at number 3 during a 15-week chart run. In August 2020, Nolan appeared on ITV's Good Morning Britain to discuss how she and her sister, Anne, were both being treated for the illness at the same time. When the Princess of Wales revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer in March last year, Linda told GMB she thought her video message to the nation was 'perfect'.
The Independent
22-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Brother of Linda Nolan reveals prostate cancer diagnosis months after sister's death
Brian Nolan has revealed his own prostate cancer diagnosis following the death of his sister, Linda. Linda Nolan passed away in January at the age of 65. She had been a long-time advocate for breast cancer awareness and died surrounded by her siblings at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, having been admitted with double pneumonia. Linda, along with her sisters Denise, Coleen, Bernie, Maureen, and Anne, formed the pop group The Nolans, achieving chart success with hits such as "Gotta Pull Myself Together" and "I'm In The Mood For Dancing" in the late 1970s and early 1980s. She was known in her later life for appearing on Loose Women and Celebrity Big Brother. Brian told the Mirror that having cancer is like 'being hit by a train' and 'you start plunging into the the abyss'. His doctor told him that 'we're going to treat this and we're going to cure this', and Brian said he will have a prostatectomy, which removes part or all of the prostate gland. 'I'm devastated, but I believe I'm hoping that we can do it,' he added. When asked by the newspaper about it being difficult to tell his siblings, the news after it was confirmed days following Linda's funeral, Brian said they have 'been through enough' so he told them individually of his condition. 'I'm focusing on the hope, they can treat it and they can cure it,' he added. 'The way my sisters handled their cancers, I hope to God that I can have the courage that they had.' Linda was first diagnosed in 2005, given the all-clear in 2011, but in 2017 was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. In 2020 it spread and by 2023 was in her brain. Anne, who Linda joined on the TV series The Nolans Go Cruising, was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time in 2020 and previously said she is now cancer-free. Loose Women star Coleen was diagnosed with skin cancer last year and said she was using a chemotherapy cream to remove it. Their sister Bernie died of breast cancer in 2013 aged 52. Brian said that he was referred to a genetic department in Manchester, and it was 'amazing how many people had actually had cancer as some part of the reason they died' in his family. He said the doctors are 'even thinking that there may be a genetic mutation or something between the four cancers that our families' have, which includes breast, prostate, liver and pancreatic cancers. Brian said his father 'died of systemic cirrhosis (liver damage) but he also had liver cancer, my uncle died of pancreatic cancer'. He also said he wants to raise awareness of prostate cancer as his friends did not known anything about the illness. 'We should know more about this, and I'm going to definitely push for a campaign to to send guys a letter once a year, like we do for women and bowel cancer,' Brian said. Other famous faces such as comedian Sir Stephen Fry, the late broadcaster Bill Turnbull – and more recently Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, who revealed his prostate cancer was terminal in 2024, have been outspoken about the condition.
The Independent
22-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Brian Nolan reveals prostate cancer diagnosis after sister Linda's death
Brian Nolan, the brother of singer Linda Nolan, has said that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer following his sister's death. Loose Women and Celebrity Big Brother star Linda, who long campaigned for awareness of breast cancer, died aged 65 in January with 'her loving siblings by her bedside' after being admitted to Blackpool Victoria Hospital with double pneumonia. With her sisters Denise, Coleen, Bernie, Maureen and Anne, she was part of the pop group The Nolans, recording hits like Gotta Pull Myself Together and I'm In The Mood For Dancing in the late 70s and early 80s. Brian told the Mirror that having cancer is like 'being hit by a train' and 'you start plunging into the the abyss'. His doctor told him that 'we're going to treat this and we're going to cure this', and Brian said he will have a prostatectomy, which removes part or all of the prostate gland. 'I'm devastated, but I believe I'm hoping that we can do it,' he added. When asked by the newspaper about it being difficult to tell his siblings, the news after it was confirmed days following Linda's funeral, Brian said they have 'been through enough' so he told them individually of his condition. 'I'm focusing on the hope, they can treat it and they can cure it,' he added. 'The way my sisters handled their cancers, I hope to God that I can have the courage that they had.' Linda was first diagnosed in 2005, given the all-clear in 2011, but in 2017 was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. In 2020 it spread and by 2023 was in her brain. Anne, who Linda joined on the TV series The Nolans Go Cruising, was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time in 2020 and previously said she is now cancer-free. Loose Women star Coleen was diagnosed with skin cancer last year and said she was using a chemotherapy cream to remove it. Their sister Bernie died of breast cancer in 2013 aged 52. Brian said that he was referred to a genetic department in Manchester, and it was 'amazing how many people had actually had cancer as some part of the reason they died' in his family. He said the doctors are 'even thinking that there may be a genetic mutation or something between the four cancers that our families' have, which includes breast, prostate, liver and pancreatic cancers. Brian said his father 'died of systemic cirrhosis (liver damage) but he also had liver cancer, my uncle died of pancreatic cancer'. He also said he wants to raise awareness of prostate cancer as his friends did not known anything about the illness. 'We should know more about this, and I'm going to definitely push for a campaign to to send guys a letter once a year, like we do for women and bowel cancer,' Brian said. Other famous faces such as comedian Sir Stephen Fry, the late broadcaster Bill Turnbull – and more recently Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, who revealed his prostate cancer was terminal in 2024, have been outspoken about the condition.
