Page 46 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 77

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My Opponent. My Foe. My Friend.

seems like it was not so long ago. administered an 8-count and the bout could have been me. People asked
But thirty seven years went by. I continued. I saw Jay was not steady me why I was not in there.
was 18 years old in March of 1982 on his back foot and I pounced out
Looking back, all those thoughts
in Kingston, Ontario. Jay and I of fear, letting my hands fly. Jay flashed through my mind as I taught
By Jorge Luis had sparred each other on several could not balance himself to punch
the course that weekend. Jay and I
occasions in the six months prior properly and a second 8-count was
went to Tim’s after the course and
to our 1st meeting. We had sized administered and his corner threw
talked for nearly two hours. For a
each other up and held back a little in the towel. During the 1st round,
brief moment in 82-83, the 2 best
something. You never want to show I breathed a sigh of relief, the first
light-heavyweights were in Eastern
Hi boxing fans. a guy in your division everything in fight still fresh in my mind. After Ontario. One in Brockville, who got
case you box each other someday. the 1st fight, I was bruised and tired.
I recently taught a coaching course My head hurt and my body hurt. I to prove it and one in Cornwall who
in Kingston in March. This was a As for the fight, it was in a 24x24 remember looking at myself in the never got to chance. Am I bitter?
level 1 course for new coaches. On foot ring. I figured out how to mirror after the fight and a part of It was hard for me in the 80’s, but
the first day, I got an unexpected outmanoeuvre Jay easily but he was me did not like boxing so much. I accepted God had other plans for
surprise. A big muscular burly ready, cut the ring off and surprised And yet, it was trial by fire, every me. Had I continued boxing, maybe
looking fellow came up to me with a me with jarring punches. I took it fighter wants to be in a war against today I would not be coaching,
grin on his face. I did not recognize to him and closed the gap in the 2nd another fighter of equal or more mentoring and giving back. Not
the burly fellow right away but then round and it became a slugfest war. strength and skill, and continue to making it makes me strive to be
it came to me. Going into the 3rd , I hit Jay with better as a coach, to give young
body shots that made me wonder fight when he thinks he can fight no boxers the opportunities and chances
It was Jay Glynn of Brockville. what he was made of. I was fighting more and come out on top. You get I never received. I accept that and I
We hugged and embraced and back and banging away thinking “What to know what your made of and who am at peace with that.
slapped. You see Jay Glynn and I a man!” Finally near the end of you are in a way that’s definite.
fought each other twice in 37 years, the 3rd round, I caught Jay with a In March of 1982, I got to know Jay still looks good, sporting
back in 1982, once in Kingston, a build and physique the envy of
couple of good shots and he buckled, who I was in a way that forged me
Ontario, and once in Massena, many young men. Despite two hip
forcing the referee to administer an into who I am. It has served me in
NewYork. Before and after each replacements, he does not look or
8-count. Tired, my arms heavy, my every aspect of my life. I had a
bout, we sparred each other on act 58 years old. His life has been
breathing on fire, I advanced and willing dance partner. Thank you
numerous occasions. My mind good, not perfect, but he has done

let my hands go and got Jay again. Jay Glynn.
flashed back thirty-seven years all Another 8-count. The bell rang, the well financially and he is set. Jay
weekend. Thinking of our ring bout ended. I got the decision. In the fall of 1982, I sparred with wants to give back and start a club
rivalry and how competitive we Jay as he prepared for the Labatt’s in Brockville. Jay is everything I
I remember the war, the punches,
were. How in the heat of combat, Blue Gloves. Jay went on to win the want for my young athletes in my
the slugging, looking in each others
we forged a friendship for life. We Light Heavyweight division. club. Leave no stone unturned. Go
eyes and into his soul. Who would
got to know each other in a way that In 1983, I had a motorcycle as far as your heart, body and soul
impose his will? Who would give?
most men never do. A clash of skill accident and severely injured my will let you. Get an education or
I won, but there were no losers.
and will inside a squared circle, left ankle ending my career. Jay trade. Work hard and raise a family.
Neither man deserved to lose.
where only one winner would Glynn went on to win the Ontario Be honest and loyal to friends and
emerge, yet there were no losers. In May 1982, we met again in Championship three times. Twice he family. And finally, give back and
Massena at St. Mary’s social hall. have all the memories to recount.
It takes special courage and finished 2nd place at the Nationals,
bravery to get inside a ring with I prepared hard, expecting war. I represented Canada in International Thank you Jay for being my foe,
another well-trained man your size, jumped on Jay right away. I was a competitions in England, Finland, my adversary, my rival and most of
with experience - to do it in front little quicker and made sure to stifle Holland, Greece and USA. all, on a cold March day in 1982,
of a crowd of spectators under the his dangerous left cross. I caught In 1986, I watched Jay Glynn making me know myself, going to
lights and bare yourself naked, to Jay with a right hook on his ear and finish 2nd in the country in his a dark place, and getting to know
risk losing in front of friends, family he was off-balance. He went down, category, when the Canadian myself and you, Jay in a way most
and strangers, Alone with no help. twisting his ankle in the process. Championships were held here in of us never do.
You can’t call the cops. It’s just you I remember being in the neutral Cornwall. My career was finished Lastly, thank you Jay. My friend.
and your opponent. corner and praying he would quit.
I knew he would come back harder and the Cornwall club had folded in Yours in Boxing
Looking back, thirty seven years looking for payback. The referee 1984. As I sat ringside I thought, it Jorge Luis