Why I'm A Fight Fan

I owe a lot to my family for their guidance as I grew up from childhood. I've always been groomed not to make the same mistakes of those that came before me. I grew up the youngest of six siblings, 3 brothers, 3 sisters, and I have a lasting memory of each of them. For example, my brother Randy passed his love of the fight game down to me. He was the middle child amongst us and a true boxing fan. He would teach boxing moves, schooled me on the great fighters of the past, and we’d watch the fights on television together. The first fight we ever watched together was the re-broadcast of Ali/Frazier III "The Thrilla in Manila" back in ’75. I could listen to him talk about boxing all day if necessary. I don’t know if it was the attention he gave me or his compelling stories. Through boxing we built a strong bond that holds strong today.

My lasting memory of my brother Randy…
On June 20, 1980 I sat with him watching the local sports on TV and the story of the day was the first Sugar Ray Leonard Vs Roberto Duran mega-fight later that night. This had to be one of the biggest fights of the decade. Of course he gave me his commentary on the fight and his prediction was "Sugar goin’ whoop his ass." In defiance, Randy would put up his middle finger whenever Roberto Duran came on the screen because "Sugar Ray" was our man.

Unfortunately, Sugar Ray lost the fight to Duran and I never got my brother’s thoughts on the fight. On June 21, 1980 at 3:00am my brother was murdered. I lost my beloved brother to gun violence, I was 13 years old. Needless to say it wasn’t a good day for my family or me. Randy is directly responsible for my passion for the fight game. Randy was my teacher, my protector, and my inspiration. He’s with me at every event, every pay-per-view, and whenever I’m in the Kombat Korner.

"Anyone with a finger can pull a trigger, but NOT everybody with a fist can fight."

Randy,
R.I.P (Rest in Paradise)