SPOTLIGHT: Mr Clinton McKenzie
Suit, shirt & tie - Models own, Hat - Kangol, Pearls - Stylist’s own, Medals - Alfie’s Antiques
Photography & words - Ian Boddy
Styling - Becky Seager
Photography assistance - Jana Jackson
With thanks to Brick Studios
Shirt - Berthold, T-shirt & shorts - Champion, Scarves - Urban Outfitters, Shoes - G.H. Bass & Co, Hat - Katherine Hamnnett Archive
Vest - Sue Clowes Archive, Trousers - Berthold, Shoes - Dr Martens, Hat - Model’s own
So Clinton, we just finished shooting, how did you think it went?
Loved every minute of it! Absolutely amazing. It took me back to the old days when I did a thing for The Face magazine (Clinton was on the cover in 1985, shot by Jamie Morgan, styled by Ray Petri) and it brought back some great memories.
And how did it feel to be back in the studio, being looked after, dressed and photographed after all this time?
For me, it’s like a dream, something I’ve wanted to do for ages…look, to be honest , I just love dressing up! I love trying on new things, mixing and matching outfits and seeing what looks good, you know?
Cool. Let’s just talk about your career if we may, for those who may not know you, can you give us an overview of who Clinton McKenzie is?
Sure. I’m former British & European Champion and 1976 Olympic Quarter finalist. In the quarter finals I boxed a guy called Sugar Ray Leonard, a name people may be very familiar with. One of the greatest boxers of all time, and I took him to a very close fight and I think that really put me on the map, got me noticed and recognised as a good boxer. I’m really proud that some of my fights went down in history and were regularly voted as bouts of the year in the press, I look back and think great, what wonderful fights they were.
Hat - Model’s own, T-shirt - Martine Rose, Shoes - Dr Martens, Scarf, leggings and balaclava - Sarah Regensburger
It’s true to say that your own sense of style has been with you throughout your career, both in and out of the ring, would it be right to say you put a great deal of importance on how you look and how you carry yourself?
I like to think I carry myself in style (chuckles)…erm, even my boxing style was very, um, smooth. You know, I was a southpaw but I didn’t look like a southpaw because I was just too good, that’s what everyone told me throughout my career. I always dressed up, even at press conferences I always looked the part, it’s just something I did. My Dad was always a good dresser, I remember from an early age watching him, and I carried it on really.
Fantastic. That leads me on to a shoot that you did in 1985, that was featured on the front cover of The Face magazine, when, I believe, you met by chance, Ray Petri….tell me how that happened?
Ah, yes….Ray Petri….(chuckles) well, I was training at Thomas A Becket ( famous old gym on the old kent road) and I saw this guy keep looking at me….I thought , ‘ello, what’s his game...ha ha! But he was just getting his bottle up to come over and , you know, ask me to do pictures for him . So eventually he plucked up the courage and came over and asked if I would be interested to do some photos for The Face magazine. I’d heard of it but wasn’t too familiar with it at the time but I thought, oh yes, this sounds good!. So I grabbed the opportunity. I remember it, we shot in a studio up in North London somewhere. It was a great experience, I think Naomi Campbell and a few other famous people were up there at the time, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I look back on that period as a great time in my life.
That cover is such an iconic image shot by an amazing, talented team , what do you think when you look back at it?
I’m really proud of those pictures and I look at young me and think Wow! (laughs)
Trousers -Berthold, Vest - Ridley Road Market, Hat - Kangol, Bandana - Beyond Retro
Is it correct to say you are more interested in style than fashion per se, can I ask who were your influences in that department?
Yes, definitely. Growing up, there was a guy called Sidney Poitier and I used to look at him and just think wow. He always had nice suits on, he dressed well and he looked cool and I thought, yes … that’s a bit of me!
First off, I love being fit and healthy. That’s a good thing. My job helps to keep me in shape and feel great, in fact I love to tell people how old I am (he’s 66) because they often don’t believe me and it encourages them and gives them something to aim for. It’s great to see clients fitness improve when they’re coming to the gym , losing weight, looking and feeling good. Their progress really inspires me and drives me. I love what I do, so for me work is not work!
We should mention that it is currently Black History month. So it would interesting to know how you feel about that and what it means to you.
It’s very important, I’m very aware. It gives black voices a way to express themselves in a way they’ve not been able to before. In the old days issues would just be kept quiet, ignored, but in modern day Britain we speak up more , we’ve got more to say for ourselves and people are listening. That’s a good thing.
I’ve always regarded my colour as something that will not ever hinder me. I’m always concerned with looking forward, doing the best I can. To me, reaching excellence as a fighter and being the best I could be meant that in my mind people just saw me as a boxer. I never ignored prejudice , I just rose above it.
So you feel your sporting prowess, your achievements, made the colour of your skin irrelevant.
Exactly. In sport, we’re all shapes and colours and for me it was all about getting on and showing people who you are, and success is the best way forward in life, do the very best you can. Prejudice cannot be ignored but if you’re good at what you do, you can overcome it. And this is why Boxing is so powerful. No matter who you are, what colour you are, where you’re from, Boxing will find you out, put you in your place. It doesn’t respect colour, if you’re good, you’re good and that’s all there is to it. You got to work hard, train hard…and achieve. That goes for everyone. Boxing teaches you that. You have to be tough, but clever as well. Tough is not enough.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Yes…I think there should be more Boxing gyms in general. I’d love to see boxing in the school curriculum again. Not necessarily the contact, but so they’re taught the basics of discipline, respect, keeping in shape – there’s nothing like it…It’s amazing.