One of the things that really winds me up about boxing is the way fighters are discarded and often forgotten by the boxing establishment and even the fans when their career is over.
I know fighters are not exactly renowned for helping themselves (sportsmen in general tend to have a hard time once the final curtain falls - Gazza is the most recent example).
I just feel more should be done to protect and prepare these guys for a life after the ring. I remember the setting up of the boxers union - i think Barry McGuigan and Colin McMillan were heavily involved - but have not heard anything about that for a while.
I really think that we as fans have a part to play in this and wonder if there is any kind of campaign to secure this type of service that fans could lend their support too ?
I tried a few months ago to find out where Kirkland Laing was - what a naturally gifted and exciting fighter he was - A taxi driver got back to me and said that he is in a bad way basically spending his time buying cheap booze from a local off-license and living more or les as a tramp. I'm ashamed as a fan who got so much enjoyment from Laings fights that he has ended up that way and really wish there was something I could do to help him and other ex fighters in the same situation....
Any bright ideas fellas
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