did your dad make you a boxing fan?

John G. Yeah what little boy diidn't pick it up from his Da? My dad (R.I.P 2011) was a hardcore communist, and a fight lover all his life. He acknowledged and loved American pro fighters cos' he said he saw them as representatives of the working class, but really he just loved the fighting - and **** doesn't every little boy wanna see his dad as hero - I seen him take on a gang at Moss Side (the 'dodgy' bit of Manchester UK - tho I later lived there myself for years) Festival when the Gold Chains were all in. The police hadda warn him away from 6 guys - it started cos one of them had tried to take my mums friends purse.

Anyways (wiping little tear),

Yeah, Moscow and LA Olympics where when I first came aware of boxing (I was born '72 )- but I guess I won't be the only one for whom Mike Tyson made the indelible impression. At that time (late 80's) we were a poor family in what was becoming a sorta wealthy commuter area. We'd never had a TV til' my dad came over from Greece in '80 and we never got to watch it anyways - a little black and white 14" that was jealously guarded.

Anyways, late 80s my dad started talking about this new boxer, this Tyson. Before that it'd always been Teofilo (=my own name Theophilos BTW) Stevenson. I can't even tell you now which fight it was, just remember seeing this little pitbull of a fighter driving outta his corner like a monster and flooring this big guy in seconds...and my Dad always so reserved (but not so shy with his fists himself) gushing praise.

Damn. Gotta get off myself. My little boy's calling too late at night...an' school tomorrow.

 

yes & no. He never pushed me into it or harped on it but he would go to fight parties and take me with him. I remember watching SRL-Hagler at a fight party. Also remember watching Tyson-Douglass with him and he called the upset but my pops likes to pick he underdog alot anyways so I wont give him full credit for it....lol

 

Yes

 

yep

 

yes sir/

 

No

 

I can't remember who might've been in specific bouts on TV or anything, but I remember it being an interest of his...and him getting me a pair of kid gloves and doing some occasional slap-boxing. (which later mortified a coach who seemed to not fully understand just how lightly I was tapped - by the old man's fingertips - when my defenses loosened up. He needed to be urged to put the phone down and not alert child services. )

 

Absolutely. My dad was a huge fight fan, and watched all the time. He always took my brother and me to fight parties that he went to. He even got my brother and me boxing gloves and we would box eachother in the living room when we were like 5 and 6(that ended quickly). I have a child on the way. I find out July 10th if it's a boy or a girl. If it's a boy, I'll certainly try to get him into the sport.

 

Yes. My dad, grandfather, and uncle were all big fight fans. I grew up watching the greats of the 80s with them.

 

Oh yes. My father hated Ali, I loved his jive talking ass, and we always picked different fighters. I was crazy over Vinny the Tasmania Devil and my father said he also talked too much trash

Thanks for the flashback in time.:smoke

 

What a great story. 2 thumbs up from an America GI:smoke

 

I am sure your father and especially your grandfather enjoyed watching those guys in 80's smashing each other.:yep

 

Thanks JohnG. A lotta good people got hurt on all sides I guess. Its why I can't abide hatred of any type.

I barely saw my dad outta prison 'til I was 8 cos he was on the red side when the Greek junta kicked in. I don't think he was much more than a stone thrower at the time, but they carted him off to the torture cells cos of his family reputation from the civil war. He'd never talk about it, but according to my aunts and uncles he came out a different guy.

UK wouldn't let him in for 3-4 years 'cos they were tight with the Greek junta, and we've found out more recently that British embassy staff were actually trying to stall their marriage and smearing my da' to British friends and family. The ****'s awful innnit?

Obvs.McCarthy was before my time, and plenty bad happened on the other side of the curtain too, but I guess we just gotta learn what lessons we can. Hatred is never a good thing, sympathy, understanding and consideration for your fellow humans always is.

 

Yes. Earliest moments watching boxing was always with my father.