The Tiger Roared

The Tiger Roared

By Paul McCann

Jackie’s father had been a boxer and had spent most of his life in the ring or training others in the boxing club he owned . It had been a profession filled with pleasure and pain .

When Jackie came home from school one day his father brought him into the parlour of the house and said ,

“Jackie , it’s your last year at school and still you haven’t made up your mind what to do with your life , so now it’s time to decide . Take a walk around the room and pick one of the corners that interest you . I have placed something in each of the corners to help you make a choice “

Jackie walked around the room . The first corner had some builder’s tools , a spirit level , a hammer , a crowbar and a spade , The second corner had a 3-piece suit , a brief case , a computer and some books , the third corner had doctors gown , medical equipment and medicine and the last corner had a pair of boxing gloves .

Jackie walked around the room before going to the corner where the boxing gloves were and he said ,“ I’m going to be just like you Dad”

His father looked pleased at his choice and explained that there would be no turning back once he made his choice . Jackie put the gloves on and threw a few punches at his shadow on the wall .

“I’ll teach you everything I know son and if you train hard and give it your best , you’ll be a champion .“   

After the spring came and went Jackie completed his final exams at school and soon after started training in the gym at his fathers boxing club .

Jackie started to do some different tasks in the gym . At first, he did the cleaning of the exterior of the building and sweeping the car park before he started cleaning the interior of the club , washing the windows , painting the doors , polishing the floors and washing dishes . Nothing too complicated but Jackie was confused about the tasks he was doing and asked his father .

“I thought I would be in the ring learning boxing skill and on the punching bags Dad and I’m just wondering how cleaning and washing dished can make me become a champion ?

His father smiled and answered ,

” My son , all these boxers in the club have been training for years and they know you’re my son and would resent you stepping into the ring and receiving all the skills and knowledge without paying your dues first . The mark of a champion is winning the respect of others first and what you’re doing is winning the respect of all the boxers in the club , they have seen how hard you’ve been working and already they can see what kind of character you have . Now starting next week . I’m going to start you on the punching bags and in a week or two I’m going to teach you some boxing combinations and after that the serious work will start  with building stamina and strength and then you’ll be stepping in the ring to do some sparring “

Not long after that Jackie was running on the roads with his father early in the morning . They ran up mountain paths and through country fields . The pace was increased and they ran slightly faster each time and one morning Jackies father said  today you’re going to do five rounds in the ring with me .

The months  passed with a lot of work in the gym without taking a break .

Jackie looked at his father one day and asked,

“Tell me Dad, how long before my first fight.”

“Soon, Be patient.

He replied and Jackie said,
“How much can a poor boy take Dad. Tomorrow’s boxing day. I wanted to be in the ring before the new year “

His father replied,

“It won’t be long now. :

Jackie responded.

“Dad I’ve got a dream, and I want to start chasing that now “

His father looked at Jackie and put his arms around him saying.

“I’ll tell you something Jackie that’s exactly what I wanted to hear from you . I need to know your hunger. “

“My hunger is wild and the moment I step in that ring for my first fight they’re going to see the tiger in me . Just open up that cage and set me free Dad. Nothing can tame the fighter in me, I’m a wild child now running free “

The next morning Jackie was told the news of his first fight on New Year’s eve at the opening of the Boss Street Competition for new comers to be graded into the profession.

Jackie was excited and on that evening his father was proud to see his son making his debut in the ring. He approached him in the change room before the fight and said,

“Son, tonight I’m taking a front seat and when that bell rings, in you go , with that one , two , three , we’ve been working on and let them see who you are. “

He left Jackie to make his way to the ring. Jackie had an awesome welcome. Mostly friends and connections of his father were in the audience. As soon as Jackie entered the ring the roar of people went up. They were shouting his name and suddenly both fighters were called into the Centre of the ring.

The fight started and thirty seconds into0 the fight, there was no doubt who was on his way up the ladder to success. It was a first round knockout. Jackie had exploded with a left jab, uppercut and a right hook. The crowd saw and everyone was astonished. It was the fastest fight ever seen. Jackie wasn’t wearing any kid gloves. Everyone knew that night that he was going to be the main contender, and it would only be a matter of time until he put them all down and become the next champion.

Jackie left the ring to the thuds of feet on the ground.

His next fight would be at Black Street City Arena in a week’s time.

The word went around town about Jackie and tickets were selling fast for his next fight.

A week into the new year Jackie was again in the ring. Rolling with the punches and as he feigned to the left he threw a massive right hook then a right hook followed by another right hook. The other boxer had already spat the dummy and was on his hunches and out cold on the canvas .

One two three, four five six , sever eight nine and the fight was all over .

Another knock out in the first round. The word was spread around.

Jackies fame spread like a wild fire. The fights came and went in a rumble way, he crumbled and humbled every fighter that came his way . The crowd had seen how fast and furious he was. He put them all away in the first round. He made them sway, he made them pay, he laid them down and the crowd went wild .

The tiger in Jackie had come out and nothing stood in his way.

He made the crowd roar every time he knocked another fighter out and they fell to the floor.

Another fight and another fight. Jackie lost count of how many fights until the day his father said,

“Tonight is the night you’ve been working for son. It’s the final, the title fight and you will become champion . After this fight, there will be others who will come and try to take away your title but they will all see an end to their road to fame.:

Jackie smiled and said .

“Thanks for everything Dad . “

His father replied

“You have won the respect of many on the way “

Jackie nodded and replied .

“Good thing you had me doing the cleaning before I started fighting Dad “

They both laughed and his dad said .

”You’ve got guts son and determination . You’ve paid your dues and now you’re going to be the champ . So, I’m taking a front row seat and I’ll watch you knock this guy off his feet and you will be the champion without any shadow of a doubt “

He gave Jackie a hug then made his way to the door .

Jackie shouted ‘

“They’re going to see the tiger in me roar tonight Dad “:

His father gave him a wave of his hand and said .

“Get it over quick son . Make it a fight they’ll never forget”

That night the fight was over twenty seconds into the first round . They crowd went wild screaming out Jackies name as the new champ .

The End