"As a 14 year old boy I went down to my Grandfathers Boxing Gym in Gordonvale North Queensland and it was like a 'Rocky movie' his fighters skipping,sparring,and punching the bag.
I asked my Grandad "what was the best punch in the book? " Grandad looked at me (all the Fighters stopped to listen) , "the Best punch in the book Son ? " said my 'raspy voiced' ,he paused ........and grinned "The FIRST ONE SON" was his answer and I never forgot it".
My Dad was trained by Grandad for a full 2 years before his first fight, had 'knock outs' in both hands and beat both amateur and professional 'ring ins' to win the Queensland title in 1948 . Boxing is a 'art' and the skill behind it very few understand it , there is speed,power and timing and personal discipline in boxing that can be applied to other sport , boxing training is a great base to start for any sport, in fact Graham Healy has used Boxing as his base for ALL other training including martial arts .
My Father is a gentleman and a great mentor , he went on to train the boxing at the National Fitness Club plus gymnastics for 15 years , Dad was good at anything he did subsequently , water sking, tennis,Squash,Golf and at 85 years of age you can find him playing bowles at Banora point NSW and taking about the good old times.
I have tried to step into my Grandfathers and fathers footsteps and have taken the skills of boxing and blended them into the martial arts , but I always say to this day
BOXING is our base and ALWAYS will be the platform from which we do all our training .
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
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