Boxing booths used to be a regular sight at fairgrounds.  Punters would be challenged to take on the trained fighters with the promise of a few pounds winnings.  They also offered valuable training opportunities for wannabe boxers who couldn't afford to go to a gym or pay for sparring partners; some would follow the booths around to use as free sparring.

They fell into decline.  People were reluctant to risk a beating and injury for a few quid.  Britain's last boxing booth was run by Ron Taylor.  He died in 2006, aged 95.  I visited him in 1994 to find the fairground fighters were still clinging on.