I was telling Coach earlier this evening that I'm running out of monikers to refer to everyone in and around the gym that appears in these blog entries, so from here on in, I'm using real first names. No last names--still gotta be like "Dragnet 1967" and protect the names of the innocent (smile). Let's catch up with the players first.
Coach is Steve, a Ph.D. candidate in Sociology. He is married to Ellen, who is also pursuing a doctorate in the same subject. They are expecting a child next year.
College Man is Josh, who is an undergrad student who recently returned to the Midwest after a year of study in Europe.
Youngster is 19 year old Junior, who has his own window washing/maintenance business. Jamaican Boy is Mort, a childhood friend of his who hasn't been in the gym for awhile.
Petite Warrior is Lan, who is very good in the ring, especially at seeking out body shots. She is also very focused.
Litlle Scrapper is Kevin, who is nine years old, and Scrappy Brother is his 14 year old brother Alex. Little Man is Fred, and Little D is Diego. All of these boys are in the youth boxing program.
CoolMex is Raphael, who has aspirations to be a professional boxer.
Head Woman is Mary, who is the superintendent of the fieldhouse where the boxing programs are. Pug is Barry, the kids' boxing coach.
Old Pops is Nate, who was a professional boxer in his younger years. His son, Nate Jr., boxes in the youth program.
Pony Tail is Samantha, a good teenage boxer who trains at another fieldhouse.
Con Woman is Cassandra, whom, not surprisingly, did not show up to the gym tonight. She used to hang around my church a lot. Never became a member, but was always talking about getting her life "together".
Future Champion is Montrell, the star of the youth boxing program.
Others regulars in and around the gym are Joe, a quiet, soft-spoken sort; Neil, who just became a dad for the second time; Andrew, a newbie who resembles actor John Cusack; Patti, another newbie who is a grandmother; Larry, who doesn't come by often because he goes to school and lives way out in the suburbs; Ben, who videotapes our matches; B.K., Gilberto and Jose, who are park district staff members; and Sam, who is another kid in the youth boxing program.
The guys had some fun ribbing Leon, a buddy of Junior and Mort, about his technique after he sparred with a newcomer (I can't remember his name right now). Poor Leon received a beat down, but I give him credit for stepping in the ring. Steve gave him an eight count at least twice, and finally had to stop the match. Patti, one of the new women in the gym, was cringing as she watched the slugfest. "They look they are fighting on the street!" she said. Who really surprised me was Danny, who agreed to spar. I've never seen Danny in the ring before, and he's been there at least a year. He gave up after a couple of rounds, and looked a little hesitant in the ring. Hopefully, he'll want to spar again soon and improve his skills.
Danny has a buddy, Jermaine, who hasn't been in the gym much because he goes to college. Jermaine graduated from the same high school I attended, and he was on the football team there. I remember him saying that his dad disapproved of him boxing. However, Jermaine shows up to the gym whenever he can. He could be a good heavyweight. We can't seem to keep the big guys around.
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