World Record Shortlist: Boxing Clever
Lucy Moore, 17, submitted this portrait of her grandfather to the Big Picture.
The photo was taken in 1926 and is a portrait of Arthur James Bunce at the age of 17, when he was an amateur boxer. From a total of 110,000 images received by The Big Picture, it has been shortlisted alongside seven other photographs to potentially become the final image of the record-breaking mosaic.
Arthur, who had fourteen children, died in 1987 at the age of 78, but the photo has continued to be an inspiration to Lucy and her family.
Lucy says:
“I didn’t get to meet my Granddad, but the picture is cherished by all of us and my brother, Michael, even has it tattooed across his back. None of my family box, but my Dad and brother are huge fans, my brother especially. He has posters all over his bedroom wall and Ricky Hatton is his favourite!
“My grandparents were very much at the centre of our family. Since my Nan died a couple of year’s ago it’s caused the family to drift apart as some of us have moved further away. I hope that if the photo does become the face of The Big Picture it will help to bring us closer together again.”
Artist Helen Marshall says:
“This is a very gritty and unusual photograph for its time. It represents a boxer but it is graceful and beautiful. It is a fantastic historical motif for the West Midlands.”
Big Picture Project Manager, Kerry Endsor, says:
“The aim of The Big Picture was to encourage as many different people from all ages and interests to get involved, to help create a detailed piece of social history that offers an insight into the lives and loves of local residents, creating a true picture of the region that will be there to enjoy for generations to come. The picture of Lucy’s grandfather is a fascinating insight into a piece of local history and clearly continues to hold great significance for her family today.”
What do you say? What does the photo make you think or feel, is it your favourite? Leave your comments here:
July 21st, 2008 at 18:28 pm
I still cant belive it, my picture has been shortlisted i just hope people will love it and be inspired by it as much as we are in my family and i would love to see it as the final Big picture
thanks so much x
Lucy x
August 8th, 2008 at 13:45 pm
I like this one… great story of a Midlands family and a really old and interesting photo… striking!
August 8th, 2008 at 17:30 pm
thanks alot for your picture comment x
all the family are dead happy that our pic has been shortlisted just cant wait for the 23rd now x
thanks again x
August 23rd, 2008 at 15:32 pm
Lucy you did a great job posting Grandad Bunce’s picture!
I hope the midlands loves his picture as much as we all do!!!
The picture is somewhat iconic to our family and now its been immortalised what a great tribute for Grandad xxx
August 23rd, 2008 at 16:18 pm
just got home no im so overwhellemed by everything its unreal im so happy x thank you soo much again!! everyones been stars! thanks luv lucy x
August 23rd, 2008 at 18:52 pm
Lucy take a look at the film of you:
http://www.podnosh.com/blog/2008/08/23/bigpicture2008winnerlucymoore/
August 24th, 2008 at 17:31 pm
Lucy, you have done grandad proud! Well done, I would have never even thought of doing what you have done, but it just proves nothing ever happens if you dont make it happen.
Jonathon Bunce
August 26th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Thank you so much, hopefully this will put our family on the map and in the record books, im so proud that Grandad has been put down in history
just hope no one trys to beat it now 
Lucy x