For the last ten years all I've done was boxing, I love the sport. I finally had the opportunity after all these years to meet the guy that first introduced me to the sport, Aaron "The Hawk" Pryor.
I met him in a boxing gym here in NJ, he was here training with his son Aaron Jr who went out to look for sparring. I'm just relaxing talking with some of the guys in the gym when I see an extremely tall guy (Aaron Jr) and his shorter, more distinct looking father.
So Aaron Jr goes to the back to get changed and I'm sitting next to Pryor, who is just relaxing waiting for his son. I turn to him after five minutes of absolute silence, "So, you know you inspired me to follow boxing, right?"
He's very happy to hear this and we start talking about his career. He tells me about the Cervantes fight, how he felt he didn't get the recognition he should have because he didn't come up in a bigger market and about how drugs changed his life. He sounded very at peace with life, as if he had finally overcome his demons and is ready to teach people from his experiences.
Then he goes into the ring to some padwork with his son. Aaron Sr still moves around with great coordination and strength. Glad to know that my hero is equally as motivating out of the ring as he was in the ring.
Probably the best 30 minute conversation of my life.
I met him in a boxing gym here in NJ, he was here training with his son Aaron Jr who went out to look for sparring. I'm just relaxing talking with some of the guys in the gym when I see an extremely tall guy (Aaron Jr) and his shorter, more distinct looking father.
So Aaron Jr goes to the back to get changed and I'm sitting next to Pryor, who is just relaxing waiting for his son. I turn to him after five minutes of absolute silence, "So, you know you inspired me to follow boxing, right?"
He's very happy to hear this and we start talking about his career. He tells me about the Cervantes fight, how he felt he didn't get the recognition he should have because he didn't come up in a bigger market and about how drugs changed his life. He sounded very at peace with life, as if he had finally overcome his demons and is ready to teach people from his experiences.
Then he goes into the ring to some padwork with his son. Aaron Sr still moves around with great coordination and strength. Glad to know that my hero is equally as motivating out of the ring as he was in the ring.
Probably the best 30 minute conversation of my life.
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