Growing up in my home, In a lower middle class neighborhood in North Edmonton, boxing was much more than a way of life, in a sense it was life. Whether or not this was a “good thing”, I am not entirely sure, but that will likely make a blog of its own a later date. The house I lived in with my four siblings was equipped with a makeshift boxing gymnasium, comprised of a well worn heavy bag, a brilliantly improvised double end bag, which was a speed bag,with a pair of springs running from to the rafters above, and the concrete floor below. Against on wall was a makeshift weight rack, made of used 2×4’s that dad had picked up from a building being demo’d in the neighborhood . The “gym”,, of course was in the basement, so the answer to the oft asked question (what age did I begin to train for boxing) is when I was old enough to crawl down the stairs, and nimble enough on my hands and knees, to avoid being trampled by my 2 older brothers, Derek, and Bill. Anybody who remembers my pops, will know that he was a blood and guts trainer/coach. Perhaps even more so, he was known for his no nonsense approach, and his candor . He told it like it was, whether you liked it or not. Having spent countless hours, in the gyms, and on the road for competitions, I was afforded the opportunity to hear his words (of wisdom). thousands upon thousands of times over the years I have compiled a top ten list of his most renowned sayings, Ill bet some of my readers, especially those of you who have spent some time training in the gym with him, ( and I know that there are hundreds you) will recognize some of them. Have fun with this one, I sure did…. I Love you Dad Top Ten Quotes from my Father (The late great Paul Hortie 10) If you cant stand the heat Get out of my kitchen. 9) Get Back to work, or Ill break off your arms and legs, and feed you to the pigs. 8) Dont eat that Elmer It might be bullshit. 7) If you want to play, you had better be prepared to play. 6) That Judge needs some dark glasses, and a white cane. 5) Its pretty tough to hit your opponent, when you have a mouth full of leather. 4) If you want to stay off your ass, keep your hands up. 3) Go over to that heavy bag and throw a thousand jabs, when your done throw another thousand, and when you think your arm might be falling off , then throw another thousand. 2) When you lose say little, when you win say less. 1) And the number 1 quote by my Father, and the words that are indelible etched on his modest war veterans grave stone NEVER DID A MAN STAND SO TALL, AS WHEN THEY STOOPED TO HELP A CHILD
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 03:43:08 +0000
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