Perhaps the most important element in a boxer's life is the ability to listen. It's like a hidden element. Listening may be the difference between winning and losing.
But sometimes it seems like everyone is so wrapped up in their own work that they don't listen to other concerns or anything else. They just shut down.
I have been following the development of the Ringside Charitable Trust (RCT) closely. A few years ago, I traveled to Florida, USA, with a former boxing champion trainer and other members of the boxing fraternity. We were there with support from the Moss Foundation. Across the pond, we were raising awareness about RCTs and children surviving cancer.
I follow RCT updates and articles in this publication from people at the heart of charities on social media to see if there is any movement. If there is a deal. I think it would be great to have a vested interest from active boxers, managers, promoters and especially influencers. After all, they are rightly in a better position than anyone else to generate a huge boost for a very worthy cause.
From my perspective, I believe that boxing is one of the toughest disciplines in the world sporting arena. Boxers prepare for matches with the intention of entertaining the fans. This time they show courage and desire. Essentially, some boxers push themselves to the limit and sometimes have to be saved from themselves. They may be in the midst of a losing battle, but they will continue to fight until the final bell.
Boxing is a martial art, and the punches thrown are powerful. Every time a boxer climbs that rope, they must never forget that one punch can cause serious, life-threatening injuries. Of course, such injuries are rare, but the accumulation of punches rarely causes damage.
I competed in the 1980s and 90s. Some of the boxers who were close to me witnessed firsthand the injuries sustained from the punches.
boxers like former Southern Division heavyweight champion Harry Sr.; Harry was a good young heavyweight, so I hired him to spar with me and help me prepare for some matches.
Sadly, many years later, Harry suffered a stroke during a sparring session with Albert Sosnowski as he was preparing for a European title fight. I see Harry sometimes. He is a proud man and has come a long way since his injury, but he is not the same person he used to be. He lost a lot of weight from the strong heavyweight I remember.
I don't hear much about Rod Douglas these days. He was an outstanding amateur boxer and an excellent professional as well. We trained together at Tottenham. I was there the night he was seriously injured in a fight with Herol Graham. He is also close to Graham, who is also going through some difficult times himself.
I couldn't write this article without including Michael Watson MBE. We were close friends as young professionals and were born a few days apart. Michael's injury in his 1991 rematch with Chris Eubank was world-famous because they were two high-profile boxers. But it's sad that there are so many other fighters who are so little known, so little appreciated, so little help, so devastated by boxing.
We know this because boxers can experience depression too, brought to public attention by the plight of celebrities like Frank Bruno and Tyson Fury. Can we really believe that they are the only ones?
The list goes on. But listing names and injuries is not the heart of the message. I would like to understand why the most influential people do not support RCTs. And if you're an influential person in boxing and your conscience has read this far, ask yourself what you're doing to help.
Perhaps promoting an event or RCT is not good for business. By doing so, you are essentially acknowledging that the things that make you money are also the things that put your lives at risk. own it. Please admit that. Please clear your conscience.
Thankfully, I was able to finish the game with my abilities intact. And over time, boxing has greatly improved in terms of safety for boxers. Also, boxers, especially the top ones, are earning much more than they used to. In a way, we can thank the main promoters. Considering the amount of money swirling around this sport, there's still a lot they can do.
As a professional boxer, I didn't earn anything close to what today's boxers earn, but I proved myself as a person who is always willing to help and support boxers who find themselves in difficult situations due to illness or disease, so I What he gained was respect from the industry. Or for economic reasons.
I say this as a former boxer who gave his all in the ring. I say this as a former boxer who has seen the difficult times that other ex-boxers can fall into. Boxers, managers, promoters and anyone concerned about the future of the sport, listen up. We have to take care of ourselves.
Let us all come together to ensure the success of Ringside Charitable Trust. Make sure your boxer has a place, gets help and support, and doesn't feel forgotten. It's definitely the least we can do as an industry and as a family.
