Also, THANK YOU! I can't even begin to tell you about the overwhelming amount of responses I received yesterday via text, FB messaging, phone calls, and email regarding yesterday's blog post. I thank everyone who reached out to me, shared the post, and took time to read the blog. You are all amazing and I am truly BLESSED!
BOXING. Just typing the word makes me feel some type of way. I have so many great people around me that love the sport just as much as I do. Some may love it even more (maybe but I doubt it).
Here's a memory for you. I remember this as if it were yesterday....Back in January 2001, me and a girlfriend (Kelly Dorsey) drove from Chicago to New York to see a friend of mine named Michael Bennett make his pro boxing debut on HBO, at Madison Square Gardens. Mike ended up getting a first round knock out!!! You have no idea how excited I was. Not only did Mike get that W, his entry song, Chi-town Brawler, was written and created by another phenomenal and life long friend of mine C.O. Tha Bad Black. I was C.O.'s manager at the time (but that's a long story and another post). So, for Mike to get the win and the song to be played on HBO was a huge deal. I'm sure I cried buckets! Mike had several first round knock outs following his debut performance. He was in such great shape with the work ethic of a machine. Mike was trained by the GREAT George Hernandez of the golden dome in Garfield Park (AKA, The Broke Team). In all actuality, this is where my affinity for boxing was solidified; at Garfield Park interacting with George Hernandez.
You guys have no idea about Michael Bennett!!! Michael Bennett had all the cards stacked against him. You see, Michael Bennett picked up boxing while serving a 26 year prison sentence that was later reduced to 15 years. He got an education, perfected his craft, and was released after 7 years; and continued boxing. This MAN was the Amateur World Champion in 1999 and was National Champion, Golden Gloves Champion, and then went on to represent the US in the Sydney Olympics all in the year 2000! I get choked up just thinking about all that he has accomplished and how ridiculously successful his amateur career was.
Mike had a great but short professional boxing career. He had a total of 14 fights in which he faced defeat 4 times. I haven't talked to Mike in quite some time so he has no idea of the positive impact he had on me then, nor the admiration I continue to have for him. What I do know is... after Mike's last fight in May of 2003; a loss, he decided to discontinue his career. I was crushed, because I had faith that Mike had what it took to redeem himself and get back on top. However, I quickly came to understand that one's health and well-being is way more important than Kim's aspirations or affinity for boxing. I have nothing but respect for this sport. I have nothing but respect for all boxers who get in the ring. I have nothing but respect for boxers that know when it's time to call it quits, as it is hard to stop doing what you know, love, and in some cases what has saved your life. But most of all, I have nothing but the utmost respect and love for my friend Michael "The Chi-town Brawler" Bennett.
I think it's time for me to reach out to Mike. I'll keep you posted.
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