On the heals of the release of his new instructional video series...I present to you a new column from none other than world-class trainer KENNY WELDON.
(How many copies did his original series of VHS tapes sell? Try only over THREE MILLION! The largest-selling Boxing instructional video-series of ALL-TIME!)
So you want to ask a world-class Boxing Trainer a question folks?
Well now might be you're opportunity. And Kenny Weldon serves it up "RARE" and "WELL-DONE". Perhaps you have a question about one of the noted fighters he's trained, such as: Mike McCallum; Evander Holyfield; Pernell Whitaker; Meldrick Taylor; Sergei Liahkovich; Vinny Pazienza; etc, etc, etc? Maybe you have a 'technical' question? Hey, maybe you just want to know what Kenny himself ate before a fight or currently eats for breakfast (the answer is LIBERALS and 'TREE-HUGGERS'!) Submit two or three questions to me -- and I'll filter one of them to throw into Kenny's AMATOBOXING "Mailbag".
This is for MEMBERS ONLY.
The question deemed to be the best one out of the bunch? Well...that question will receive the honor of being the "WEL-DON Steak". Does the sender "win" anything?
NO! You've just been honored by a highly-noted world-class trainer you JACKASS! That should be plenty enough -- wear it with PRIDE! ( * And Kenny oughta make you do a hundred push-ups for asking such an asinine question! )
Submit the questions to me personally; they call me "Bizzy"...
*Bizzy On The BBQ*
P.S - If Kenny calls your question stupid? "BOO-HOO". Perhaps he'll give one of his little treats to munch-on and toughen you up a little: Charcoal Briquettes!
I've got one for Kennyy...Is there any chance of Kenny and Sergei Liakhovich hooking up again and if so does a Weldon trained Sergei have a legitimate shot at regaining a piece of the heavyweight crown ? JA
Jim- Well...you're supposed to send the initial questions to me via private msg on Multiply or via email at bizzyonboxing@hotmail.com...but all hell has broken loose here I fear.
BTW - Were either going to have to have Doc Deacon "The Fight Beacon" 'photo-shop' that fellows hair and turn it grey -- or Kenny is going to have to dye his hair.
I've got one for Kennyy...Is there any chance of Kenny and Sergei Liakhovich hooking up again and if so does a Weldon trained Sergei have a legitimate shot at regaining a piece of the heavyweight crown ? JA
Jim, I'm no Kenny Weldon ( I only play one on the internet ) but I'm going to nevetheless take a 'stab' at that one...
Just about anyone has a "chance" of caputuring a 'piece' of the 'hvy crown' these days -- but I'm going to guess no and no on that one.
No snoopie,I did not know that about Jose. Didnt really know him,just got a good dose of his leather all over my body....God rest his sole.....Kenny Weldon
Jim,I do not believe Mayweather could go five rounds with Duran,Armstrong,Chavez,Joe Brown or anyone else who could fight.I believe he is the most over rated fighter in history....God bless....kenny weldon
bizzack ,not bad for a sissy .Please do not allow questions about anything but boxing and,who knows ,I may be able to do it.....God bless....kenny weldon
Your welcome Kenny. As for the wifes I still remember you and I yacking on the phone as our wifes kept looking in as time went by. Mine wanted to go out to dinner but for you remember it was your 40th wedding anniversity!-lolololol. Your a nice guy Kenny to be doping this site. TEd
How are you P.2 ? Hope you and your lady are doing well.Billy Conn was an outstanding lightheavy who's greatest assets were speed,motion,a big right hand and range .I believe Bob Fosters greatest assets were ballance,allusiveness,range and power in his left hook.Billy stood too tall,but had a great chin while Bob was hard to hit but with a weaker chin.Neither had any quit in them.This in my mind would be the hardest winner to pick as the greatest lightheavy of all time .I believe either would beat Archie Moore .God bless.....kenny weldon
Hi there Kenny. This is Pastrono 2 or Ted Luzzi. Thanks you for your response on my question on Foster vrs Conn..Awhile back Bizzy and I had a big discussion about who would win between Foster and Archie Moore. In matters of boxing I am sure both of us willl defer to your judgement. So Bizzack is going to be real happy with your answer! You win this one bizzy! ahhhh I have been koed-lololololol
Yes -- I'm SERIOUS!!! That is kind of like Gunnery Sargent "Tom Highway" (Clint Eastwood in Heartbreak Ridge) calling you a "sissy", or Gen.Patton or Coach Bobby Knight. Man...that is just plain too cool...just like my favorite P.E teacher/Coach in junior high/high school used to do...
* The wily 'grillmaster' just tossed me one of his little Weldon 'snackies' -- and not only am I not going to spit-it-out, but I am in fact going to savor it. This is the way it's supposed to be folks. No -- no "taking my ball and running home to Mommy" here...actually, just the opposite -- I'm going to take that ball and (at least try) to run-through-a-BRICK-wall baby...!
Hi there Kenny. This is Pastrono 2 or Ted Luzzi. Thanks you for your response on my question on Foster vrs Conn..Awhile back Bizzy and I had a big discussion about who would win between Foster and Archie Moore. In matters of boxing I am sure both of us willl defer to your judgement. So Bizzack is going to be real happy with your answer! You win this one bizzy! ahhhh I have been koed-lololololol
"DOWN GOES LUZZI! DOWN GOES LUZZI!"
Hey Ted, with all due respect, you were already all but "out on your feet" on that one there -- but just didn't realize it!
*holds fingers up*
"What state are you in sir?"
Luzzi: "Confusion!"
Hey, you were like me in the ring on that one: Stepping in so many 'postholes' -- I almost just handed you the shovel and told you to go out back! ( * That's what they used to do with me folks; I had a chin like wood -- BALSA wood! )
Anyways ( * I forgot this was the 21st century and we are supposed to go to the neutral corner after a knockdown/knockout.) Yes, while The Mongoose is no doubt an animal to be respected -- it is no match for a Sherriff with a shotgun; I'll go with the shotgun at least 99 times out of 100. ( Styles make fights -- and he just didn't have the style to make that I fight I fear. Have I ever been wrong? Certainly. But I keep trying to tell everyone that I 'bat over 50%'!!! *watches ball as it is about to sail over the Chicago fence...but then hits the foul pole and a foul pole-ock*
bizzack ,not bad for a sissy .Please do not allow questions about anything but boxing and,who knows ,I may be able to do it.....God bless....kenny weldon
...Boxing questions Kenny???
Well...as kind of indicated by the title and pic, actually the idea was for you to take culinary/cooking questions...
No, of course I'm joking there! Yes, the plan was for me to kind of 'filter' the questions. That being said -- you can do/say absolutely anything you want in this column. You can be as 'politically incorrect' as you like, heck -- you can even throw a few liberals and environmentalists on the 'grill' if you wish. Profanity? Anything but the 'f-bomb', and you can even use that with an asterik if need be.
* But folks...something tells me that as the fundamentally-correct but 'politically incorrect' and 'gruff' ornery-but-honorary taskmaster may be at times -- he just has no need for vulgarity. Yes, I would venture to guess he is also like my former coach/teacher Ivan Little in this respect. Little was also a God-fearing man, in his 50's, 5'8" 160.lbs of pure unadulterated MOLTEN STEEL, with a whistle around his neck and a t-shirt that either said "Member Of The 1000 Push-Up Club" or "Kiss Me I'm Polish". His theory on vulgarity? "Swear-words are 'WEAK words". Most despised word in his vocabulary? "MEDIOCRE," he would spit out with clear disgust. His outlook on kids that were just plain simply dumb?
"Bizzack...stupid people just should not 'breed'. I'm afraid the poor kid just plain has 'dogmeat' for brains..."
( Damn...*mind drifts back at the memories*...just simple but brilliant stuff...)
* Hey guys, I know that many are excited that highly-noted and esteemed world-class trainer KENNY WELDON has taken time out of his busy (and "Bizzy") schedule to drop by, but please folks...save the precious 'bullets' (questions) for our upcoming MAILBAG! Please guys...do not 'punch yourselves out' or 'leave it all in the gym'! Just punch the KEYS and leave it in the JIM (Amato) soon, where Kenny will also talk about his BRAND NEW video series!!!
As for Mayweather...I think he is no-doubt very good, and in this era he would probably have to be defined as "great", but...in comparison to history, even recent years?
He falls short there in my opinion. ESPECIALLY at Welterweight. While I think he could have been competitve and "held his own" with the lightweights -- he wouldn't have even been very competitive with most of the welters.
Come to think of it guys...nothing so much against Mayweather (he's obviously at least "good") I'm not sure I can ever remember a "#1 POUND-FOR-POUND" fighter in all my years (70's,80's,90's,etc.) that is so...almost bordering on "mediocre" in that respect.
bizzack ,I am a firm believer in freedom of speech .I am a constitutionalist .My preacher of twenty years has never said a curse word in front of me and if he did,it is his right to .It is also my right to leave his church and never come back.I believe America is a Christian nation and being so gives everyone "choice".If one takes that choice and decides to take mine away from me ,then he needs to be ready to die for his beliefs,because I am.Now for some serious talk .Floyd Mayweather being called "great" is insulting to those who have had the blessing of watching Duran and the afore mentioned greats of the lightweight division .Mayweather is merely a combination of Meldrick Taylor trying to be Pernell Whitaker ,while not having Meldricks ba--- or Pernells slickness. He and his brothers have always wanted to be someone they are not.His father is an outstanding trainer and stratigest .If not for him,they would have all been ordinary...As for filthy language ,I believe it is used in public to show one is too stupid to figure out how to say what he really means .God bless.....kenny weldon
Well Kenny, at the risk of sounding a bit like the great philospher Yogi Berra, I think the following statement about sums it up...
"Decent is 'better than decent' these days".
Translation? Take the hvy division, which granted is the worst, but it really drives the point home: A "decent" fighter used to be a journeyman or 'fringe-contender'. Now? He's a top-contender or perhaps even 'titilist'! As for Floyd, he's obviously "better than decent", but by god...he might just be the worst #1 "Pound-For-Pound" Boxer in the history of the sport! Kind of a back-handed compliment/insult and a bit like calling some woman the "least attractive supermodel in the world"? Perhaps...but "it-is-what-it-is"!
As for Mayweather Sr., interesting...to be honest, I never really knew quite what to make of him as a trainer & strategist, because it seemed like he "kind of came out of nowhere" all of a sudden (but I knew that wasn't entirely the case) and other than perhaps developing his son and trianing Oscar in his later years, I was kind of like -- "Who else has this guy trained"? Something told me that despite the excessive boasting there probably was more to him as a trainer, and my hunch was that while he might not be "the greatest trainer in the history of The Earth" (as he claims to be) he probably is a indeed a pretty good one, and likely knows what he's doing. I mean, while Oscar has been known to change trainers like socks throughout the years, he's not stupid. I just had no real desire to learn any more about Mayweather Sr though, to be perfectly blunt. Amongst other obvious things -- I can't understand a single word the guy says in interviews or in the corner! ( How in the world does Oscar do it Kenny? I knew Oscar spoke and understood TWO different languages...but perhaps it's actually THREE??? )
As for Roger, the only word out of his mouth I can understand is the 'F-bomb', of which is about every other word. I have no major problem with that, but when you can't understand anything else a guy is saying, it's just kind of bordering on retarded. I mean, the guy uses the word like a pronoun. His Mother should have put a bar of "Irish Spring" in his 'pie-hole', and a shock-collar around his neck for every time he said it. The woefully 'defective' and absurdly defiant and incouragable Roger still would have probably uttered it though...*rolls eyes* ( as for him as a trainer, obviously it seems like he's doing alright with his nephew, but let's see how he does when his career is over )
As for Jeff Mayweather...I'll be blunt Isau.
I have a strong hunch he may have come from slightly different breeding/bloodlines. ( Yes...the postman or something...) I have a hard time believing he came and or was raised from both the same mother and father as those other two, as he comes across so completely and totally different. I don't know much about Jeff as a trainer...but he is BY FAR the most likeable and classy of the three.
bizzack ,the old man can teach one style of fighting and teches it well.This style is called "inside out",which is for short boxers. I personally believe he ruined Oscar ,who was a great fundamentalist. If I was a short fighter,like James Toney he would fit my style.I believe the best inside out trainer ever was George Benton .Even George would tell you it is easy to beat if the opponent has a "full game".. Freddy Roach is a good guy,but teaches almost nothing.Thats what these spoiled fighters like about him.He is a "yes man" and maybe this is what oscar wants.Who knows ,boxers run their camps now,not the trainers......GOD BLESS......KENNY WELDON
Hmm...interesting stuff Kenny. That was kind of my 'hunch' with Roach, but when it comes to 'evaluating' trainers -- I tend to use my 'better judgement' and ultimately leave that to others. As for Mayweather Sr., as I said, I really didn't have a clue about him as a trainer, but by god...that makes some sense. ( * One simple big mistake Oscar made in his 30's was his 160-pound 'experiment' though. He just had absolutely no business whatsoever fighting above 154. Still, you have to give him some credit for trying. Oscar fought the best guys availiable, and more often than not -- he won. Do I rate him up there with the "all-time greats"? No. But despite that -- he was pretty damn good, and pretty good for Boxing as well in my opinion.)
As far as a trainer for Oscar Kenny......did you know there was a slight rumour going around a few months back that YOU might be taking the reigns for the twilight of his career? For all I know Kenny, it may have even been me that (unintentionally) "started that rumour"! Awhile back there was talk about who should train him, and I thought for a variety of different reasons you might be an excellent choice. #1 - You aren't a "Yes-man" #2 - You sure as hell ain't "Hollywood" #3 - I don't think Oscar should have the previously mentioned types at this point in his career #4 - By god...it seems like it would be a good fit 'tactically' to me.
By that I kind of mean this...
Oscar lost that fight to Floyd (forget about those that had him winning or had it a draw) but that being said -- he didn't lose it by a landslide. I thought it was a very 'winnable' fight for him. Age? I thought he fought more DUMB at times...than "OLD". Seems to me like maybe he needs a 'fundamentalist' like yourself, to just remind him of a few simple things. Also, at that point in the middle/late rounds when the "macho" came out in him, and he all but completely stopped using his jab? He needed a guy to just flat-out go beserk on him, so to speak. Roach didn't do that, and he lost the next two rounds. You know, just 'a few rounds' fought more intelligently, and OSCAR wins a close decision there.
However, ironically, when I was asked by some what the ultimate liklihood of you training him would be, my answer was "probably pretty unlikely". Why?
#1 - Because you aren't a "Yes-man" #2 - Because you aren't "Hollywood"! (lol)
bizzack ,thank you for all the good things you wrote here about me.When I read this stuff,it makes me wonder how many people know who taught Oscar to fight .I WILL GIVE YOU A HINT. IT WAS NOT HIS FATHER,UNCLE , COUSIN ,BROTHER-IN-LAW or any other family member .I will give you another hint and tell you he also trained another olympic "outstanding boxer" .He of course was from California and was a sparring partner for Ray Robinson before becomming a policeman......God bless.....kenny weldon...ps...our biggest concern prior to Pernell fighting Oscar was if this guy was comming back to Oscar.
Jim,no,the trainer never got much recognition and as great as he was, Oscar left him flat when he turned pro .No one liked the guy because Oscar made sure of it,giving his Dad and family members the credit ,which was really sorry ,especially since the guy taught Oscar everything he knew.Another hint....The other Olympian was hispanic also and was a flyweight .....The old trainer was a white guy was a white guy.God bless.....kenny weldon
Hey Jim,there you go again .Paul Gonzalez was the boxer who won the outstanding boxer award at the Olympics this old trainer coached .Now who was his trainer ?God bless.....kenny weldon
gsmith ,you are right .I do need to overcome my shyness .We ,in a supposedly free country should be able to say what we want without having to weight it against what others may think.I had many friends who died horrible deaths for that right. Its better to tell the truth than it is to be popular with your peers .The truth will win out eventually ......God bless ....Kenny weldon....my friend Tim Hallmark,Evanders strength and conditioning coach used to say "Kenny,why don't you tell us what you really think".My mother would have answered Tim with "I just did!
gsmith, my good friend Tim Hallmark (Evanders strength and conditioning trainer of many years) used to ask"kenny,why don't you tell us what you really think? I once replied" I have had many friends die horrible deaths defending the people of this countries right to freedom of speech and I will say what I want,when I want and to whom I want ".Several members of my family have been military and they would tell you that when the government starts telling you what you can and can not say,the countries freedom of speech is about to become history. Next time you are told "you should'nt say that man" ask them why not,are you a free man or a Frenchman ?.....God bless.....kenny weldon
Jim,you are correct.Not many people know this,but he made Oscar .I wonder if Oscar ever "took care of him"? I heard he did not. If not for Stankie Oscar would never have happened.Great job Jim......God bless.....kenny weldon
gsmith, my good friend Tim Hallmark (Evanders strength and conditioning trainer of many years) used to ask"kenny,why don't you tell us what you really think? I once replied" I have had many friends die horrible deaths defending the people of this countries right to freedom of speech and I will say what I want,when I want and to whom I want ".Several members of my family have been military and they would tell you that when the government starts telling you what you can and can not say,the countries freedom of speech is about to become history. Next time you are told "you should'nt say that man" ask them why not,are you a free man or a Frenchman ?.....God bless.....kenny weldon
You sound like you might be from Texas. LOL. Sound exactly like my brother-in-law, who lives on a 1500 ranch between Austin and San Antonio.
Hey -- looks like the 'wily ol' grillmaster' tossed you one of his charcoal 'snackies'...and then rewarded you with a little 'treat' there Jimmy! "Bon Appetit"! *thumb up*
( I told you folks he serves-it-up both "Rare" and "Wel-don"! )
In getting back briefly to Roach...that has always been kind of my "hunch" with him. Some examples?
Mike Tyson in his late 30's says..."I'll get Roach."
Oscar Delahoya in his mid-30's says..."I'll just go with Roach."
Bernard Hopkins at the end of his career says..."I'll just get Roach."
It makes one wonder a little bit.
As for Tyson, he was pretty much "beyond help" by that point. Oscar and Bernard? Yes and no, I tend to believe. Let's face it: You probably aren't going to teach those to a whole lot at this point, nor are you going to implement/create any "major changes". And you really don't need to, for that matter. But...like I said with Oscar, it was a few "basic" things tactically, and at one point in that (Mayweather) fight -- I felt like somebody just plain needed to "get his attention". As for Hopkins, that was arguably a close fight against Calzaghe, and Bernard - at this point - probably isn't going to really listen to much "scientific advice", but in the later rounds...man...I'll just simply put it like this: Somebody needed to just "go Bobby Knight on his ass"! Hey, not only am I not qualified to carry the spit-bucket -- I'm not even qualified to carry the SH*T-bucket. But let me tell you this: It was obvious to me that he just plain wasn't throwing enough in those later rounds to win a decision. I hate to be too 'hyper-critical' of a guy OVER-40 that is still fighting at THAT high of a level, but if I was in that corner, at that point -- I would have just went "Angelo Dundee" or dare-I-say "Teddy Atlas" on him. I would have slapped him, thrown water-in-his-face, and threatened to not only "throw the stool" at him -- but shove-it-up-his-ass as well. I would have been "lightin fires" like a bipolar arsonist, I tell you...
P.S - Interesting about Stankie...I've heard the name and am vaguely familar with him, but didn't really know that either. Boy...he certainly taught him pretty well...people sometimes forget (or overlook) what an outstanding amateur Oscar was, and as a teenager nonetheless. He was also a real force as a young pro, especially at 135/140. Shane Mosley was too. ( * Those two are STILL good and I haven't quite "given up" on Oscar just yet. Perhaps it's because we were born literally within ONE minute of each other - Feb 4th 1973 - but I'm kind of "rooting for him". I'm also incidentally finding myself "pulling a bit" for the 'old guys' these days. Why this is -- I have no idea...*scratches head*... )
I'll post the "Mailbag" section tonight or tomorrow, but I'm a bit pessimistic if the members can digest the SIMPLE concept of sending the questions to me via email or pers.msg on Multiply first. For the "pound-for-pound" smartest group of fight pundits on the world-wide internet...this group is not so bright in other areas. Including myself. ( Hey, I've been trying to figure out how to post Audio and Video reply's on here for WEEKS now...but hang in there folks...I'll get it figured out...I hope...)
* Anyways, just think of the "Mailbag concept" like this folks: You SEND your questions/mail to the "postman" (in this case ME) and I will then deliver them to the Weldon residence. "Brilliant!", eh? Along with the occasional use of cutlery -- this is one of the things that seperates us from monkeys folks.
bizzack,I have never slapped a fighter in a corner in my life.That is a thing of ignorance.First of all,if a coach had slapped me in the corner,people in the audiance would have got to see an additional fight.I would have beat the crap out of him.As for you and Oscar being born about the same time,Daniel Hawthorn and I were born about the same time as well,and I can tell you I am no Daniel Hawthorn and you are no Oscar D. As for Bernard not listening to his corner ,thats what got him beat in his first loss of his title.He had a brilliant corner and he acted like his corner was'nt there. I have no pity for him......God bless......kenny weldon......PS...I wish Teddy Atlas' name had not even come up when discussing corner men.
There is a great book that I read a few years ago and it's called "Corner Men" by Ronald Fried. The chapters were in this order. Ch1 Angelo Dundee and his mentors, Ch2 Stillmans gym, Ch3 Ray Arcel, Ch4 Jack Blackburn, Ch5 Charley Goldman, Ch6 Whitey Bimstein, Ch7 Mannie Seamon, Ch8 Freddie Brown, Ch9 Al Silvani and Ch10 Eddie Futch. Any oppinion on any of those trainers guys?
Sal,one of my mentors ,Hugh H. Benbow had the origional plans for Stllmans gym.He showed them to me once and described the gym to me many times over the years. He knew the owner,whos last name by the way was not Stillman,fairly well.Angello knew and still does,all phases of the game,which makes him as great as he is in our sport.His brother Chris was great as well.Ray Arcel ,of whom I met many times was cranky,but understood aggression better than anyone in boxing .I know verry little about Blackburn but "motion"was not one of his better teaching techniques . Charley Golman ,had the best eye for talent in the game .He was great at building a fighters style around the fighters natural abillity and he was fiercly competitive.Whitey Bimstien,like whitey Espenault of New Orleans were developers of slicksters. They loved discussing and teaching the technical aspects of boxing as did Bill Gore ,who trained Willy Pep and six other world champions .Personally, I believe Benny Leonard was their mentor ,whether they would admit it or not.The same goes for George Gainsford who told me he loved what Leonard meant to boxing. Freddy Brown was the best cut man ever in boxing.He worked with a great sense of humillity and knew how to please both the fighter and trainer.I met Eddie Futch and sparred with a couple of his boxers in 1969 while he was working out of Jackie McCoys gym in Los Angeles.I talked to him many times over the years and knew him to be a combination of Ray Arcel and George Gainsford .He was a polite yet stern man......I never met Manny Seaman or Al Silvani .God bless......Kenny Weldon
Thanks for the reply Kenny. I found out in the book about Stillmans gym and the owners name was Louis Ingber, he and co-owner Marshall Stillman opened the first version of Stillmans up in Harlem and later moved the gym down town to 8th ave... Most of the fighters didn't know who Louis Ingber was but the name on the building was Stillman so they all called him Mr. Stillman and so he changed his name to Stillman. Kenny it's one hell of a life that you have lived having known many of these guys. God Bless.
Hmm...well..."What's the sense in being Irish-Italian if you can't be stupid Kenny"??? *hits the floor and does 10 quick push-ups*
I had a bit too much coffee when posting that last one, but all I know is that Bernie just plain needed to let his arms go more in the second half of that fight. I would have peed on a radiator if I thought it would have done any good. With me in the corner that night, I think Bernie would have done one of the following two things: #1 - Went out there and thrown more punches. #2 - Beat the crap out of me and choked me Latrell Sprewell style.
Either one would have been more entertaining for the general public Kenny...
( * Among other things -- I fear I would be a bit too 'unstable' to be a cornerman Kenny. One moment I would be calm and 'cool-as-a-cucumber' like Joe Goosen, the next...like an 'over-caffeinated' Teddy Atlas. However, that being said, the sad reality is probably this: I might be more fit to be in a corner than nearly half these guys you see with towels draped over their shoulders these days...)
I read a article the other day that refered to bad trainers as "sweat wipers"Floyd Patterson was like in his 20th year as a fighter and champ and was asked why after all these years he still needed a good trainer in his corner replied" The guy in the corner if he knows boxing can see things that you dont see in the ring and tell you what he see that you dont. Wise thinking for sure. Luzzi
I read a article the other day that refered to bad trainers as "sweat wipers"Floyd Patterson was like in his 20th year as a fighter and champ and was asked why after all these years he still needed a good trainer in his corner replied" The guy in the corner if he knows boxing can see things that you dont see in the ring and tell you what he see that you dont. Wise thinking for sure. Luzzi
Indeed Luzzi, well said. As Yogi Berra once put it -- "You can observe alot by just observing."
Hey guys, I just got an unexpected "little treat" here...
The one Amateur Boxing event that I like to catch (other than the Olympics) is the local annual Golden Gloves. I missed it this year, but I just caught a replay of it, and also my first ever glimpse of...
THE 55-POUNDERS!!!
Damn if these two little fellers weren't cute and (very!) impressive! The one kid had extremely impressive technique for his age; I'm talking jab, solid/basic footwork, etc. The other little tike? His technique wasn't quite as impressive, but I swear-to-God this little guy NEVER STOPPED THROWING! I am NOT exxagerating, this kid NEVER let up for ONE second. And his punches were pretty darn 'straight' as well! ( LEFT-RIGHT-LEFT-RIGHT-LEFT-RIGHT repeat about 300-times! ) At the conclusion...I didn't know who to give the nod to. No doubt the one kid had better technique and was making a concerted effort to "fight smart", but this other kid - and his miniture "human windmill" like effort/impersonation - was awfully difficult to go against as well.
The very close decision went to the little tike with the better overall technique -- but there truly was "no loser" in this one I tell you!
P.S - As for the rest of the local talent...pretty mediocre, and no real 'standouts'. In past year Jonte Willis was a bit of a "standout" (he has now turned pro and I believe will be fighting at 200) and this year...well, there was a middleweight (an Indian-Pollock -- boy, what a combination!) named "Grovanski" that was fairly impressive, as well as an (aprx?) 6'4" 220-pound white guy named Lester King. Nothing to "write home about" -- but very decent and respectable those two were, and I did see a little potential there. ( I don't know about "alot" -- but definitely some.)
...Do either of you two ( Sal & Kenny) work with any kids THAT young at your gyms? ( I don't know exactly how old these two were, but at 55.lbs they weighed barely more than a box of nails, and slightly less than a bag of mortor mix! )
I would think working with teenage kids would be both rewarding -- and a annoying pain in the ass, depending upon the situation and the kid. But these two little guys here? Shoot...I would have not only offered to referee the fight for free -- I probably would have offered to PAY to do it! (lol)
P.S - As silly as it sounds...Bernard Hopkins could have learned a little something from watching the non-stop "pint-sized human windmill"! (LOL!)
Yes, I have trained little guys in the past but at the present time no. My shedule is all screwed up with college courses and have my own kids to worry about. As far as training guys now, my oppinion these days is if you are not willing to work hard then I can't take time away from my 3,5,and 7 year olds to train a guy that's gonna walk when the going gets tough and in boxing it's gonna get tough. Back to the little guy's, I saw some great kids over the years at the Silver Gloves and a few of them are good pros now. I also trained a little kid that was great and good fundementals for a few years but dad who was a street punk that never had gloves on in his life wanted to turn him into a brawler. Eventually the kid got frustrated with his dad yelling at him and I threatened to kick his ass in front of everyone at the gym just to show him how much he didn't know and put him in his place. There is a cute little kid on youtube named Bruce Carrington, he's funny as hell. Check him out.
bizzack,I have developed nine national Jr. olympic champions from scratch .I currently have four of my kids fighting at our state JOs ,two of whom I believe may win national titles this year.I love the amateurs.We are the most productive amateur boxing gym in America over the past 28 years .God bless....kenny weldon
( I was actually kind of thinking the same thing Sal -- but we can't tell him that. He might get kind of a 'big head' and start thinking he actually knows more than we do, ya' know...*chuckles* )
Kenny - I wanted to kind of 'tie this in' somewhat (the mailbag thing) with your new instructional tapes/dvd's. I would like to put a little thing on the front page in "Market" section, but I might need a bit more general info to do that. I also recently found a couple of short 'preview/sample' video-clips of the series, that I would like to also put in the Market and/or Video section. ( * I'm assuming these are related to your most recent series...???...they obviously aren't related to the original ones you did back in the 80's, and they look to be very recent to me. In one of them you are doing a demonstration in the ring with what looks to be a hispanic teenager, and the other you are working the speed bag and giving basic instruction. )
bizzack, I believe what you saw was a one hour video I did to raise money for a sports for kids company out of Arizona. I used a few of my kids in the gym to do three one hour instructional videos for them.I hope they raised alot of money.The new ones are our companies and they answer the 15 most asked questions in boxing by coaches and each are of three hours duration and filmed in my gym . I again use my own boxers and the answers are very detailed .Our new product ,the glide box is also featured. Just let me know how you want to help .They will be out in ringside products ,Everlast and Titles next edition I am told.Just tell me what you need......God bless.....kenny weldon
bizzack ,what happened to the listing of my gym website on amato boxing website?(kenny weldon's WORLD CLASS BOXING GYM) ? Have I fallen out of favor or is it that only ugly folk are allowed now............God bless.....kenny weldon
bizzack ,what happened to the listing of my gym website on amato boxing website?(kenny weldon's WORLD CLASS BOXING GYM) ? Have I fallen out of favor or is it that only ugly folk are allowed now............God bless.....kenny weldon
bizzack, I believe what you saw was a one hour video I did to raise money for a sports for kids company out of Arizona. I used a few of my kids in the gym to do three one hour instructional videos for them.I hope they raised alot of money.The new ones are our companies and they answer the 15 most asked questions in boxing by coaches and each are of three hours duration and filmed in my gym . I again use my own boxers and the answers are very detailed .Our new product ,the glide box is also featured. Just let me know how you want to help .They will be out in ringside products ,Everlast and Titles next edition I am told.Just tell me what you need......God bless.....kenny weldon
Ah...that makes more sense...I went to those three places a few days ago (Ringside, Title, etc.) looking for the NEW video...but I couldn't find it. It will be hitting there very soon though evidently...
Really, the main 'little thing' I needed was just a 'link' to post that would send the people right there immediatly ( "One click away" ) to the 'Kenny Weldon catalog' so they could purchase. I think I've got that now...
I've got one for Kennyy...Is there any chance of Kenny and Sergei Liakhovich hooking up again and if so does a Weldon trained Sergei have a legitimate shot at regaining a piece of the heavyweight crown ? JA 
