Missing half a leg.
Didn't get into kick-boxing, either.
Old cutman Percy Richardson told me there were levels to the fight game and then got me some sparring with Bernard Hopkins sparring partners. His sparring partners were unbeatable to me. Then he told me to stay and watch young Bernard dismantle these guys that i thought were unbeatable. Percy pulled me to the side and then pointed out that if i cant beat this ans sparring partners then what the hell do u think the champs will do to you. Bottom line, there is only one king of the hill and u can hurt your self trying to reach that point just like Freddy Roach or many other boxers. At least he made money on the training end. Many of us end up damaged and broke. I had a great mentor, i went the cutman route
I think that happens to be one of the disappointing ends of the sport. We give so much credibility to being the world champion or a viable contender, but I think oftentimes the standard is set too high.
If I ever turn professional, I'll box for the sake of boxing. I'll fight because I enjoy doing so. I'll probably get my ass handed to me on more than one occasion, but that's what makes the fight game interesting.
I was, maybe still am, quite a decent boxer but never took it past competing at amateurs because of
- lack of self belief - being a world champion seemed too unlikely a thing to happen to me.
- fear, i found the constant nerves and anxiety for at least a week before a bout draining, and couldn't imagine living with that for a large portion of my life if i ever wanted to turn pro.
-lack of discipline, smoking cigarettes and other stuff. i'd like to say girls and sex but I wasn't that lucky in my teens.
- didn't want want to mess up my considerable good looks. ahem.
- fighting for peoples' entertainment didn't sit right with me. I remember in a fight the other guys supporters shouting at him to 'f***ing kill the bastard' and other stuff, and while I was fighting I was also having a conversation with myself about how ugly the whole scene was.
- seemed like a mugs game for most people.
Yes I am a bit like Pavlik instead of being addicted to alcohol I am addicted to women, being lazy and food.
Do not let success go to your head and do not let failure get to your heart.
I used to go to boxing clubs all the time when i was younger, i loved it all , the training and sparring,and just the smell of the gym , and the banter with the rest of the lads was quality . i wasnt too bad , i could hold my own in sparring with anyone in or around my weight , but the thing is with boxing as everyone knows is if your not totally dedicated you are going to be in a world of hurt. And when girls and beer came along so my dedication went out the window.
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