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The halls of Tiger's Den Gym at midnight gives you the feeling of...misery, gloom...and despair. Though being in business for over 20 years...it has never produced a champion...let alone a ranker. The best they produced was in 1998, George Stevenson who had a promising career. He kicked off his pro career with a 10-0 record which attracted attention of some welterweight rankers. His promising career ended with a right hook which connected straight to his ribs by 7th ranked Justin Hillenmeyer. He's now well...but his boxing career is certainly over.
"Gives you the creeps Jimmy Choo Stiefel, doesn't it coach?" asked the assistant trainer, Perry Johnson "After his first year and a half in boxing with a promising career, it's all over."
The coach of the gym, Terry Cooper, did not answer. He was sure Perry knows his answer...yes.
Cooper had been a boxing standout himself retiring after losing his second world title match against Welterweight champion, Ricardo Gomez. Gomez beat him twice, both times he was gunning for the title as the number one challenger. His (Cooper's) record was 46-2.
When he was a child, times were tough. His father died because of overwork. Integration wasn't also that popular back then. The only way out of his miserable life was boxing. He loved the fights. He adored the boxers. He dreamed of becoming one, holding the title as a champion. He promised his mother on her sickbed that he would be or produce a champion. And he still hasn't completed his promise.
"Coach, business ain't doing so well right now. A couple o' boxers just quit after they lost both their first matches." Perry told the coach
The coach grunted...what could he do? What could a no name, crappy, gym do? Of course most who have potential and promising careers in the pros go for the more famous gyms.
"Just go put flyers all over town, we're bound to find more fighters." was his only reply.
"Well look who it is...the very man himself...George Stevenson!" Perry said as he greeted his old fellow fighter. He and George both entered the pro ring at the same time. Perry didn't actually do so well and he retired early with a 0-8 record.
"Yeah...I've been feeling quite good you know after all those surgeries and stuff. Is the coach in here?" George asked.
"Uh-huh, he's in the office right now watching some of last night's footages from the welterweight title match. All right back to hitting the bags everyone!"
"Business ain't doing good huh?" George asked looking around the gym. There were only three boxers in there.
"Not really, I mean a lot of guys quit after losing their first two matches,"
"Well, kids these days sure doesn't appreciate the opportunity of fighting in the ring, gotta see coach now, thanks Perry,"
"No problem!"
George knocked lightly on the door and opened it.
"Coach!" George loudly said to the coach watching the title match with great observation.
"George, good to see you. Would you sit down first and watch this match, I want you to observe with me." the coach said without glancing at George as he entered the room.
"Sure," George said and took a seat.
Now, here's Gomez advancing on Clyde. Gomez throws a hook...and it connects! He unleashes a fury of one-two combos discount oakley! The champ can't get away!
Clyde tries a counter-attack...and it fails as an uppercut connects from Gomez. Clyde can't do anything but block Gomez' punches! And there's another uppercut!
The champ is down for the count. Gomez retreats to neutral corner. 1...2...3...4...5...6..7...8 and the champ gets up! The referee continues the match and we are once more underway! And there's the gong! Round 9 ends with Gomez taking another lead off the champ.
"So...impressions?" the coach asked George while the commercials were on
"Well...he's got an explosive uppercut I'll tell you that, but I don't think all out brawler is his favored style."
"Why's that?"
"He seems uncomfortable yet. He had a lot of chances to deliver the knockout punches...but it wasn't there."
"It's good that your boxing sense hasn't died down yet. And you're correct, his trademark is actually an out-boxer. He usually goes for decisions."
"A Mexican out-boxer? Pretty rare isn't it. Most Mexicans are usually Brawlers."
"Well his punches are strong, but his footwork and speed are too good to pass up."
And we are back folks! This match is by the way, brought to you by Hitman Productions and Power Gloves Inc. Here in Round 10, so far Gomez has dominated the
scorecard, 90 - 80. Gomez steps in to catch Clyde of guard, but it doesn't work. Clyde throws a jab, and another, and another. Gomez has blocked them all!
Gomez counter-attacks with his own jabs, but Clyde gets away. Clyde connects a hook, and now he throws in a barrage of power shots! Gomez looks hurt. Now
Gomez attacks! He gets a body, now a hook, and an uppercut! Throwing in more combos! Clyde can't get away this time! Gomez gets another hook - and Clyde is
down for the count! 1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10! That's it! Jarius Clyde cannot get up! A new PGBA (A/N: Power Gloves Boxing Association) Champion is
born! Hailing from Mexico city, Mexico, the new Welterweight PGBA Champion, Ricardo "The Dynamite Fists" Gooooooommmmeeeezzz Jr.!
"He's really good," George said after the coach turned the TV off
"Yes, chasing a championship title is still my dream you know." Cooper said
"Especially the Welterweight title?"
"Yes...the one you mulberry on sale, or me, couldn't get," Cooper said "So what did you want?"
"Yes, well, I don't have a job now, and seeing as how the gym is going...I wanted to get a job as a trainer."
"The pay won't be too much abercrombie fitch germany, we're struggling ya know,"
"How much?"
"$50 a week, if you're lucky $75"
"Heh, not too much huh, oh well, I still work part time in the Grocery Store, I accept!"
"Hmm...good, work starts next week, any questions,"
George looked at his coach "Yes, my son...he wants to be a pro boxer...he just turned 18 yesterday..."
"I'll take a look at him and see...is he any good?"
"I...honestly don't know."
"Then we'll have to see,"
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