Talking Boxing with Dad
Talking Boxing with Dad
Today marks 13 years since my dad passed away after a long and complicated health struggle that included a fight with liver cancer.
A few months ago I was selected to fight in a charity boxing event to raise money for cancer research.
As I remember his life, and celebrate his legacy, here’s a peek into why I, a 50 year old man with no boxing training, am stepping into the ring.
My dad is the one who instilled in me a love for boxing. He was a fight fan; my mom too! He would take me to the Golden Gloves in Dallas each year. Even took me to gyms to watch amateurs spar.
In 1984 we made our way to the Tarrant County Convention Center to see who was going to represent the US in boxing in the upcoming Olympics. I watched Evander Holyfield, Tyrell Biggs, Mark Brunell, and one of my all time favorites, Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker fight. Me and dad watched them on TV later that year as they fought in LA during the 84 Olympics. Proud each time we saw them. Followed them all as pros. And over the years, after each of their fights, dad and I would talk about how we knew them before they were famous.
As an adult, I left Dallas. Moved around a bunch. San Francisco. Fresno. Memphis. I even lived in Nigeria for a spell. My life would change. So would my dad’s. But whenever we’d talk - after the updates and catch ups - we’d talk boxing - who we were following, what fights we’d seen, and what fights we’d like to see.
Even when his health took a turn for the worst and cancer started eating through his liver, we’d still talk boxing.
Dad’s been gone 13 years now. And there’s not a week that goes by that I don’t wish I could call him and get his take on last weekend’s fights, and the ones coming up. I miss him.
There’s a fight coming up - in September - man, I wish I could talk with him about it.
It’s going to be here in DC. At the Anthem Theater.
It’s mine.
I’ll be fighting in an upcoming boxing event hosted by Haymakers for Hope, a nonprofit that hosts amateur charity boxing events in an effort to knockout cancer.
I’ve been selected as one of 30 first-time boxers who will be matched with an opponent of similar abilities.
For the past few months, I’ve been training at a neighborhood gym called, Old School Boxing gym - a gym I think my dad would have absolutely loved.
On September 25th, in front of 1500 people, I’ll be fighting in Dad’s honor, to knock out cancer.
If you’re in the DC area, come cheer me on. And if you like to donate or get tickets, you find them on my Haymakers Fundraising Page (use “WATSON” in the Offer Code).
In honor of my dad. In honor of someone in your life who’s had their own battle with cancer. Let’s be an encouragement to one another. Because some fights, don’t end at the final bell.
