Thats business...

[donnydarkoIRL]

Yesterday evening was an historic evening in my locality and in my country. The most famed trainer and promoter in Ireland retired, both from boxing and from his day job. It was well publicised by the media and people made a great deal of fuss over this occassion.

I woke yesterday morning with the knowledge that this man had a great effect on my life. I knew how to box before I met him, but he taught me something different. He taught me how to fight.He deicated Sixty years of his life to boxing and in his last five years he made me feel like I was the special one he'd waited for his entire life. He referred to me as "the prodigy." He got me good fights, even better spars and made a number of connections that will pay divideneds in the years to come. So yesterday I wanted to pay tribute to him.

I finished work and walked towards his small shop where I knew he would be. I was delighted to see a national television camera waiting outside. He arrived momnets later leading an entourage of old men. These were all as I knew, retired fighters. I smiled and crossed the road. He was mobbed by peole and he reached over a mans head to shake my hand. "A great grip" he remarked. I chuckled and winked. "I told you I'd get you that Irish Title this year." "You did" he remarked "now bring back another one next year." A little taken aback I waited for him to speak to me agin, but he busied himself with the other people around the shop. I waited on until he walked toward the door again. "We'll talk to you again he said" and closed the door in my face.

He was presented as a man who was all about boxing on the news, who took care of his fighters and cared. I realise that I'd only spent Five of his Sixty years training under him, but when other guys left for other gyms I remained and always credited him for my victories. When I think about it, I was the one that allowed his repuatation to remain unscathed, because I fought for him really. My parents were very disconcerted at the recpception I received, but I claimed he had been busy and unable to talk to me at the time. The truth is he blew off a fighter who had been loyal to him for the past Five turbulent years, stayed until he was applauded for partaking in the preparation for my Championship fight and then closed the door on my face.

[gally]

Sounds like great guy Donny, shame your relationship had to end like this, but im sure he will be back in touch prob just feeling emotional about leaving everything hes wirked all his life for, must be hard man, and you will never forget him as a trainer and a man

[donnydarkoIRL]

Thats true Gally.
What bothered me was that I was dismissed, I was told to go, while his send off occured. There were already dozens of people there by the time I was ushered away and many more were arriving.

[donnydarkoIRL]

Funny little training technique this guy used.

When I sparred he got in the opponents corner and instructed him on my weak spots and tendancies. This allowed the opponent an advantage and made me correct any flaws quickly.

[X]

Maybe he secretly hated you?

[Douglas]

I'm sure he didn't mean to blow you off at the end, there were a lot of people wanting to talk with him. Amongst all the people he knew, I'm sure he remembers you quite well over most...

[donnydarkoIRL]

Well I'm getting a new trainer now. I'm never going to be ungrateful and claim he never helped me. But I'll take my credit before he gets his.

[Trainer Monkey]

Well I'm getting a new trainer now. I'm never going to be ungrateful and claim he never helped me. But I'll take my credit before he gets his.

We call it abandoned fighter syndrome
If your able to keep training,you train him,that what you signed on for,and what they signed on for
And for some reason you have to retire,and a fighter got you back on top,well that sucks to treat your fighter like that

[Kev]

Just be grateful you wern't mentored by Freddie Roach

[donnydarkoIRL]

Opened all sorts of avenues for myself at the weekend anyhow, was speaking with a few pro trainers too...if I wasn't feelin so rough I'd go chat with them this evenin.

[Andre]

Maybe he secretly hated you?

AHha another classic X comment.

[Andre]

[quote=hitmandonny;466206]

retired, both from boxing and from his day job.
but he taught me something different.
He taught me how to fight. (The lesson here ends)

These were all as I knew, retired fighters.... (you are not apart of history yet)

"now bring back another one next year." . (Fly son FLy)

"We'll talk to you again he said" and closed the door in my face.(Your chapter is just begining)

care of his fighters and cared. (Even in dealing out the hard lessons)

I remained and always credited him for my victories.
When I think about it, I was the one that allowed his repuatation to remain unscathed, because I fought for him really. (YOu have to fight for YOU son)
stayed until he was applauded for partaking in the preparation for my Championship fight and then closed the door on my face. (I said FLY, bring it on home, DO it again just for YOU this time.


Reading between the lines.
He realizes that you fought for him.
HE just did you another massive favour and the largest lesson in your life.
You just got shunted out of a nest ,and told to fly for your own benifit.
I expect he also may of not wanted to be seen as at all emotional on this day specially amongt other retirees and on camera,
maybe he's like that in life ..A pro doing what pros do best ;their best possible job for others .
I think its a blessing in disguise.

[donnydarkoIRL]

Made me meaner anyhow...
I sent him a retirement card wishing himself and his wife well, I don't hold anythin against him, but at the end of the day a good trainer fighter relationship is based on respect, I always respected and treated him well.