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Talking Boxing with Doug – A Reminder That Boxing Connects Us All
WED April 4, BUSTER PARIS - Bobby sat in the chair, his arm looked huge and unnaturally still as the hypnotic and serene hum of the needle provided great background to our discussion.
You have to figure that this isn’t the first time boxing had been discussed in a tattoo parlor, and it’s nice to know that despite what critics say, it’s certainly not the last.
The man with needle is a very good and talented tattoo artist named Doug. He owns and operates Patriot Ink Tattoo in Northborough, MA.
Doug’s Grandfather was a boxer in the Navy back in the late 1940’s – early 1950’s and he introduced Doug to the art of boxing when Doug was a kid. Took him to a gym, strapped some gloves on him and gave him some lessons.
Doug never went further with it, and doesn’t box now or anything, but he has a deep love and respect of the game, as we all do.
The stories Doug told about his Grandfather and his boxing memories were truly great and were of the caliber that really fills your soul and spirit, and reminds you why you love this sport in the first place, and why boxing is more than just the sum of it’s parts.
That despite all the bitching about the millions of alphabet sanctioning bodies, the loss of clout with all those belts and the lack of clarity, conviction and power in the words “Champion”, that there are still fans left.
That despite all of the corruption and insanity that sometimes accompanies our sport, like with the instances of utterly ridiculous and unjustifiable decisions and scoring, or the demonstrably thick headed and stubborn stupidity of not utilizing instant replay to keep the game fair and honest – that there are those of us who still love the sport.
As always with boxing there is an undercurrent of burnout and disgust with some of the things that go on. We all have our limits and we all have the things that drive us crazy and bring that undercurrent into the foreground.
For me, today, it’s a question of match ups that simply have irked the hell out of me and honestly are ridiculous on their face:
Like, why is Jermain Taylor fighting Corey Spinks and not Sam Soliman or Edison Miranda, just to name two.
A fight with Miranda would be a doozy, and an absolute slugfest that could go either way, and has fight of the year written all over it. Hopefully it’ll happen.
If Jermain fights Soliman, it’s almost a guarantee that Taylor loses the crown. Styles make fights and Sam’s got the exact skills, ability and heart to do what no other fighter has yet done – beat Jermain Taylor – and – do it convincingly.
But, whose Taylor fighting? Corey Spinks. Is a fight against Jorge Arce next?
Why is Joe Calzaghe fighting Peter Manfredo Jr?
Calzaghe’s in the legacy building zone and this fight is beneath him. No offense meant to Manfredo, he’s one of the most improved fighters I’ve seen in a long time and continues to get better, but a shot against Calzaghe – c’mon.
And just when you want to throw in the towel you’re in a tattoo parlor and are discussing why it is that you love boxing, you spend a little too long passionately describing the beauty and mastery that was a 1980’s Mike Tyson and his brilliant Peek-A-Boo style.
Then you’re regaled with great and gritty stories about a fighter who fought in the Navy back in the late ‘40’s early ‘50’s and how he introduced his Grandson to boxing about two decades later.
You’re in awe of a Grandson’s love and respect of his Grandfather and how this sport will keep them forever connected, as well as hundreds of others Grandfathers, Fathers and Sons and Daughters …
Hey, who knows, maybe right now some guy or gal in the Navy is reading this very sentence and has toyed with the idea of picking up a pair of gloves - and the whole cycle starts again ….
The thought of that is enough to restore anyone’s faith. It’s not about the belts, titles, matches and instant replay – it’s about boxing. It’s about lacing up a pair of gloves and going in to do battle. It’s about character, heart, skill and honor.
It’s truly amazing that our beloved sport can connect not only past to present, but how it can connect people from all walks of life in the most random places.
On that Saturday, there we all sat, three very different men from very different worlds. Bobby’s a computer guy – not exactly sure what he does, but he seems to love a thing called SQL. Me - I’m a geeky boxing scribe - and the man with the needle owns and operates a tattoo parlor – and we all have a connection to boxing – and to each other.
Thanks for the reminder Doug.
Buster Paris can be reached at: bparis@talkingboxing.com - and always enjoys receiving your thoughts, comments and questions.
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