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By Johnny Bellino
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Excerpt from "In This Corner..." featured in Dad's Magazine premiere issue.
The world's most popular boxer, Oscar DeLaHoya, has it, and lightweight contender Hector Comacho Jr. has it. Ex World Light Heavyweight Champion Montell Griffin, had it, and WBU Jr. Lightweight Champion Angel Manfreddy had it. It, in this case, is a father-son relationship that not only introduced them to the world of boxing, but was fundamental in forging each of their successes. DeLaHoya's father is still guiding his career. Comacho spars with his old man, and Montell's father owned the historic Windy City gym in Chicago, where his son grew up as a boxer.
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THE KINDERGARTEN WONDER
Five-year-old Trevor McCumb manages 70 pushups and 150 sit-ups with not too much effort while warming up for the day's workout supervised by his police officer father. Champions Griffin and Manfreddy started their boxing careers at nearly the same age. But this youngster seems unusually seasoned.
Trevor's father, Kevin, explained the ritual. "It really gives us a lot of time together. I was an enthusiastic amateur in my hometown. More enthusiastic than experienced. I didn't start till I was 18," Kevin explained.
The father may be living his dream through his son, but clearly, Trevor enjoys the task. After spending several months practicing simple tricks of the trade -- practicing one-two combinations and getting his hands back on defense -- Trevor livened up his attack: hooking off the jab, moving his head and flanking his opponents with short steps to the side instead of retreating in a straight line.
And he's really focused on the sport. If there's nothing to do, instead of shooting baskets or playing catch, he's shadow boxing by himself. The pushups and sit-ups are symptoms of Trevor's extraordinary development. "He'll spar with kids years older and many pounds heavier," Kevin says. "But he always holds his own. He's got 12 trophies, all from bouts with older kids, because there's no one his age to box. And he's put some of these older and heavier kids down in the first round, " Kevin boasted.
The enthusiastic trainer calls his son his own worst critic. "From time to time," the officer explains, "he'll come back to the corner after a round of sparring and complain to himself about dropping his hands or not moving his right hand over the jab. I tell him, 'Let your opponent be the bull, you be the matador,' and he is. If the kid catches a jab, Trevor'll try a hook; if the kid runs, he'll cut off the ring. He's gifted."
Spending time this way is critical while Trevor's growing up. As a police officer, Kevin sees too many kids getting too little time with their dads. |
(Above: the "Toddlin' Terror,
Trevor McCumb.)
(At Top: Trevor throws
as proud dad Kevin coaches.)
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