Scottish folk have always loved boxing and Fife has a proud heritage in the noble sport.

My late uncle, Alex “Spangles” Hunter, was a Scottish champion in the 1960s and would be the first to tell you how the discipline and camaraderie of the boxing world changed his life for the better.

It is fitting that the Alhambra Theatre in Dunfermline has just hosted The Benny Lynch Story, written by David Carswell, as my parents have often told me how they attended big boxing matches there.

Benny was a Scottish legend, born in the Gorbals in Glasgow, and in 1937 he became Scotland’s first ever world boxing champion.

Even today he is still considered by many to be the finest fighter Scotland has ever produced.

Yet only nine years after his greatest triumph, he was dead at the age of just 33 in 1946 after a long struggle with crime and alcoholism.

With a simple static set and evocative period costumes by Ewan Campbell, the play pulled no punches to show the struggles Lynch faced as he fought his way to the top, up against bigotry and poverty, only to topple into tragedy and despair. Mixed in with the pathos of the play, there was plenty gallus Glasgow humour.

David Hayman was advertised as Lynch’s trainer, Sammy Wilson, however, on the night, this part was played by William MacBain with the perfect mix of Glasgow gruffness and genuine concern for Benny.

Steven Purdon, known to many as River City’s Shellsuit Bob, played Benny, in a complete turn around from his annual chakkit performances in the Pavilion panto.

Purdon brought great depth to the part as we saw him move from a nobody to a big star, then have to battle the demons of drink and fame, while Holly Jack played his beleaguered wife Anne with great heart and compassion.

Full marks to the supporting cast of Clare Gray, Paul Kelvin and Cameron Fulton (who has been in the Alhambra panto), who played a wide range of characters, from bar staff to boxers and a priest.

In a week when the local Fife community has tragically seen the death of young boxing champion Connor Law, the play explores the pitfalls and strife that boxers can endure as they fight battles in the ring and beyond.

Despite everything, over 70 years after his death, Lynch is still remembered as a great sporting champion and this play gave a great insight into his life and career.

Kerry Black