In 1968 Howard Winstone fulfilled a lifelong ambition when he was crowned WBC Featherweight Champion of the world, now 41 years later the WBC have bestowed upon Winstone another accolade. On Sunday (6^th September) Howard Winstone was Inducted into the WBC Hall of Fame, being only the second British fighter to have received this prestigious honour, the first being John H Stracey.

Winstone joins an elite list of Champions who have been inducted, including his former opponent Vincente Saldivar. A certificate and medal was presented to Howard Winstone Jr. and lifelong Winstone friend Don James at the Welsh Ex-Boxers annual meeting. Presenting the awards were WBC representative David Walker, former WBC Super-Middleweight Champion Glenn Catley and Cardiff Council's Neil McEvoy. Glenn asked the WBC if he could attend and be a part of the ceremony because Howard was such a hero of his when growing up.

It was an emotional event and his son Howard Winstone Jr thanked WBC President Jose Sulaiman for such a great honour not only for his family but all the UK, he want on to say the WBC is the most prestigious championship in Boxing this is the highest honour any boxer can get ever. Neil McEvoy who supported the induction and helped from behind the scenes said Howard Winstone now takes his rightful place among all the all time greats. Boxing is engrained in Welsh culture, history and folk lore. I will now lobby for Jimmy Wilde, Jim Driscoll and our Joe Calzaghe to get the same honour. Wales is a small nation but we are among the most successful nations in the World when it comes to boxing, no country can boast so many great champions from such a small cohort. Boxing is the Welsh Number one sport if you just measure by success.

The Certificate was personally signed by WBC President Jose Sulaiman, who became a massive fan of Howard Winstone (who passed away in 2000) ever since he saw him fight in 1968 in Mexico against Vincente Saldivar. The WBC are also now officially backing the film which follows the life of Howard Winstone called RISEN, which is being produced by Burn Hand Film Productions. The WBC are backing the World Premiere to be held in Wales at the Night of Champions 2010, the world of Boxing's greatest and most prestigious awards ceremony.

Many great names were in attendance at the welsh Ex boxers annual meeting to watch the award ceremony including former British and Empire Champion Eddie Avoth, reigning British and Commonwealth Champion Nathan Cleverly, reigning Welsh featherweight Champion Dai Davies, former Welsh ABA Champions Kevin and son Darren Hayde and Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist Jamie Arthur to name a few. John H Stracey couldn't attend but sent a message saying he was proud to have Howard as a friend. Howard was John's boyhood hero and he still misses him now.