BoxRec

Hello

I have had the pleasure of being around a fair few gyms in this country and seen a fair few trainers at work. I watch them and their dedication to their fights in both the ams and the pros, very often for little or no money and even less thanks sometimes.

The work that goes into a fighter goes way beyond the gym, it is a 24 hour a day job, especially when the girl or guy is about to box. It is a job on so many differant levels, PR consultant, psychologist, trainer, parent, doctor, friend and sometimes foe, so many hats are worn by trainers all around the world and I would say that 99% of them dont get the recognition they deserve. They do of course get shouted about when something goes wrong, usually it is the trainer that gets held to task when his guy loses, never mind that this just happens in this game sometimes.

Recently I have seen a bit of the work of Glyn Rhodes, he works a 14-18 hour day and it revolves around boxing and working in the community, he is helping to run the anti bullying campaign, runs an anti rascist campaign, is forever running around after the pros and the ams in his gym. His love and concern and dedication for his lads and the kids around south yorkshire is amazing and neverending, once again money does not come into it for him, he is a true boxing man.

It is such a shame that a few get talked about and not the majority, I suppose it is the 'he who shouts loudest' thing but I do think there should be some sort of recognition for the Glyn Rhodes in this country and around the world.

Thanks for reading my thoughts.

Well, becoming insular as a Sheffield lad, locally there's no doubt he's recognised for what he does.
He had a good mentor in Brendan Ingle, who over the years has done massive things for the community.
The anti bullying campaign is supported by all of the fighters in Sheffield, regardless of gym allegiance etc.
Nice to see they can come together at times, because sometimes they all adopt a bit of a playground mentality.
Glyn's approach to training, management and I suppose life in general, is very similar to his approach to boxing.
He had / has a decent career, never ducked / ducks anyone, was / is confident bordering on arrogant (in a very nice way unless you cross him), was / is very loyal to his family / friends and fighters, and would probably give you his last 10p if you needed it.
The best people to comment are his lads.
Maybe Scrap could add something, but for my part I think Glyn is the dogs bollocks, and I've been desperate for him to bring a fighter through to Championship level.
Fewkey is still that man, but no matter how good the Glyn Rhodes's of the world are, sometimes fighters have to look at themselves, and take responsibility instead of leaving everything to the unsung guy in the corner.

Sheffield is an extraordinary place for boxing generally. There are heaps of good trainers there, and so good fighters will always come through these clubs, and the level of constency just does'nt seem to waver.The only other city close to it is Manchester.

big lennox wrote:Sheffield is an extraordinary place for boxing generally. There are heaps of good trainers there, and so good fighters will always come through these clubs, and the level of constency just does'nt seem to waver.The only other city close to it is Manchester.

liverpool has always had a fair few decent fighters, and soon to be even better cause the majority of the early pros/top ams are scousers

Billy

Others will know more than me but it is against the rules for the two to mix and I believe the ABA in particular do not like it, that said it goes on in gyms up and down the country and it is good for both sides to mix up and learnf rom eachother.

Like I said though, others would know more than me.

You would charge subs though ? That would go towards the rent and services...

Billy,
I would recommend you speak to Brendan Ingle.
He suffered on the end of this with Wincobank.
Either Brendan, or Dave Coldwell.

Billy, years ago when I trained at Southampton ABC, a load of us would go and train at Jack's on the Friday since our trainer was more of a kickboxing trainer and he would have us doing kickboxing stances, warm ups etc for ages and loads of kickboxing idiots would come down being all billy big bollocks, we're harder than you mentality.

Jack never seemed to have a problem.

Wasn't one of the reasons that Frankie Gavin gave for not making weight, was that the British team had been training with pro's , and that may of added to much muscle mass to his frame.

And hasn't there been a couple of Pro-am shows in Wales?

think the line is getting thiner between the 2 codes

You have to train the amateurs and pro's together -how one arth will the amateurs get better if they don't train alongside the pro's -they can mimic them, watch, react to them in sparring.Its also good for the pro's to spar with hungry young amatuers.I just can't see how people can't see this is an essential idea!!

The Powers that be cant, the ABA are trying to distance themselves from the Pros. Its a backlash from the 70s regarding safety.