SOMETHING DIFFERENT ABOUT SPORT I KNEW.

In the sculpture – representing a boxer – the artist (the work has no certain attribution) captures a moment (Kairos) when something special is happening. The boxer is seated, profoundly marked by deep cuts and copious bleeding all over the right side of his body , in the act of turning his head. 

The boxer
I have to go
again, even though 
I’ve just come back, even if 
I’m covered in blood, blood all over me, everywhere, that no one bothers 
to wipe off. and yet they call me, still the crowd cheers, the ref is impatient
my opponent awaits me
I feel deadened, every voice is far away , and yet I hear 
I know , that this is the moment , that I have to go, it’s my job
at first I liked it, I couldn’t stop, it was my life ,now no longer . I’m exhausted
worn out
I’m in pieces, how long , can my body last?, how many of those punches can it take?, night is falling.
I feel it , falling quickly ,on me, my powers weaken
death will come, and be , the fatal wound ,for me, the final defeat.

I Too knew these the game, the hardest game, feelings of  complete pain as couldn't explain why did it seam the fight was being lost. I had trained so hard, yet could sense it was not going the way the fight should.

Referee sometimes a vulgar person who was always harsh toward myself, reflecting recently with Johnny, Melvin, Danny, Freddie, Ian, Graham, they to felt he was unkind, tough in his treatment.

Old coach Dave suggested coaches knew that. So it was not just Kevin felt badly treated towards one.

The crowd, recall several but one week before Christmas in the mid seventies, l was representing the county against British Army select, all the occasion warranted, national anthem.

Flags , lights going down. couldn't have been more then half a dozen in the crowd. The Army chaps were taken to top restaurant.

We Boxers from the county got plate of sandwiches walked home bitterly cold, aching bruised and alone. We had represented our county, Yorkshire, next level would be representing our country. 

Moving on up, no longer a novice. Championship fighters ABA name.

In those days we were going to make it...…weren`t we all.

Instead, “The Boxer” leaves those memories behind, opting to move forward toward a new day.

In the clearing stands a boxer
And a fighter by his trade
And he carries the reminders
Of every glove that laid him down
“I am leaving, I am leaving”
But the fighter still remains