Boxing Provided an Opportunity

When John was in elementary school, bullies would chase him home and beat him up on the front stoop of his home. As John cried out to his father for protection, he locked the door so John could not enter, telling him that he had to learn how to defind himself. Repeated bouts resulted in John learning how to do just that.

In fact, John became such a good fighter that his parents and he realized that boxing might be the avenue to attending a much better high school than the segregated on he was slated to attend. He tried out for the boxing team in the integrated high school and represented it in tournaments. He became undefeated in all his bouts but caught the wrath of an ex-marine who challenged him every day in class.

John knew enough not to answer the teacher’s challenges but could not take the harrassment any more, so he dropped out of school. By that time John was a muscular 6’ 2” tall and 225 pounds and became know as “Big John.” His stature eventually led to prominent people in the community recognizing his usefulness in the numbers business.