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A sport-loving chef is bringing one of the biggest names in British boxing to Bahrain for the start of a series of knock-out events featuring fine food and entertainment.
Scouser Lewis McDonough, head chef of the Elite Resort & Spa in Muharraq, has booked one of his hometown heroes and one of Liverpool's most famous sons, John Conteh, former world light-heavyweight boxing champion, to appear on June 4.
Lewis, 26, said: "This is the first sportsman's dinner I have organised in Bahrain. It's a fantastic opportunity for people to meet their sporting heroes and hear their stories."
Conteh is now hugely in demand as an after dinner-speaker and appears at venues all over the world.
At his peak in the mid to late 1970s he was considered good enough that he was touted as a possible opponent of the legendary Muhammad Ali.
He enjoyed great fame in Britain and was often on the front as well as the back pages of the leading dailies due to his love of partying and women. Conteh said that his excessive lifestyle brought about a premature decline in his talents.
He retired from professional boxing in 1980 with a professional record of 34 wins, one draw and four losses.
In 1973, Conteh, 58, was one of the celebrities featured dressed in prison gear on the front cover of ex-Beatle Paul McCartney's Wings album 'Band On The Run'.
He also has the distinction of being British Superstars competition champion in 1974, the second year of the televised sporting event.
More than half the tickets for Conteh's talk in Bahrain were snapped up in the first week for the event which will also feature a question and answer session.
The head chef believes star turns and a selection of worldwide cuisines will be the recipe for success and is already in negotiations to bring over other boxing celebrities including Barry McGuigan and Frank Bruno alongside famous names from the world of football including former Manchester United manager Ron Atkinson.
"I am a supporter of all sports, especially football," he said "and my favourite team is Everton who are aiming to win the FA Cup final this weekend."
Lewis comes from a professional background in fine dining - a classic French a la carte training in Rosette and Michelin star-rated restaurants in the UK.
Tickets for entry to the show and dinner cost BD20. For further details call Lewis on 36305836 or email lewis@elitegroup4u.com
