Post by dallen on Aug 12, 2010 6:51:24 GMT -5
As a boxing fan it was always a dream of mine to go to the USA and see a big fight.One day are weekly Boxing News had a offer of a flight to the USA to see the Tommy Hearns v Dennis Andries fight in Detroit.A four day trip and it was about £350 about $650 in them days exchange rate.My late wife behind my back arranged with my firm i worked for to have the time off,and booked the trip through Boxing News.Arriving home from work one night inside the front door my suitcase was packed and my wife gave me the tickets for the trip.And my wife said you make the most of it as you deserve it for what you have done for all of us.Next morning i set off to Heathrow to meet up with the other guys who had booked the trip.What a surprise Terry Downes Ex Middle Champ and Jack Kid Berg ex World champ were on the trip also.On arriving at Detroit airport we were transfered to the hotel the Ponchertrain,entering the hotel in the foyer was a ring and Tommy Hearns was working out.My mouth dropped open i was in touching distance of a ring legend,just could not believe my luck.I dropped my suitcase and fumbled for my camera.as soon as i was ready to start to take photos Tommy started to exit the ring.He looked at me and said you want to take photos and i said yes,he said ok i will do another round.What a great jesture on his part,to treat fans like that.
After taking the photos i went to the front desk for my room key,they gave me a card and said just slide it in and out of the slot on the door.I found the room and entered but i went straight back to the front desk and said you have made a mistake the room cannot be mine its to luxurious.One vof the porters took me back and said no sir this is your room,never had luxury like that in my life.I pressed a button and the curtains parted and the view was straight into Windsor Canada,it just blew my mind.
Got changed and decided to go for a walk,entering a back street a guy jumped out of a alleyway covered in paper bags doing a funny dance.Next minute he scarpered away and a policeman arrived on the scene.The policeman said what the fu*k you doing,i said just taking a walk about to see the sights.Then he explained it was dangerous and keep to the main street,i asked him what was the paperman all about it appears it was the crack cocain thing.
That evening in the hotel i sat at the bar and a young black girl asked me if i wanted a good time.Being naive to American ways i said no thanks i was having a great time anyway,to the barman lent over laughing and said sir she is offering you sex.The young lady left and a guy at the bar started laughing at my predicament as i was glowing red with embarrasment.I got talking to the guy and he told me he was the manager of Leon Spinks and he owned OCL the frieght company.He ended up saying i was invited to the victory party they were having for Tommy nHearns after the fight.And also asked me to come down to ringside before the buig fight and meet one of his famous friends who he was taking to the fight.Well i thought the guy was bullshiting me but i followed his wishes i went down to ringside were he was sitting.He introduced me to a country and western singer who had the longest running radio show in the USA,sorry the name escapes me now.After the fight i went back to the hotel and had a bath and clean up then ventured down to the bar.All the English guys stood outside sayiong the bar was shut due to Tommy Hearns Victory party.I went round to a side door and ask the doorman to ask the guy by the bar if i was still invited.He came over and got me a drink then introduced me to his wife,as i was talking to his wife a hand clasped me on the shoulder and said my manager sent me over.It was Leon Spinks i nearly dropped dead,so the guy was not a bullshitter after all.
But as all my trips something funny happens,the trip was fully inclusive.So not thinking i had room service bringing me large steaks for breakfast in my room.Its when i was booking out of the hotel that i got the shock of the bill and not enough money to pay for it.Terry Downes offered to cover it if all else failed,but in the end the company that run the trip paid it and i reimbursed when i got home.But great memories of a great trip.
After taking the photos i went to the front desk for my room key,they gave me a card and said just slide it in and out of the slot on the door.I found the room and entered but i went straight back to the front desk and said you have made a mistake the room cannot be mine its to luxurious.One vof the porters took me back and said no sir this is your room,never had luxury like that in my life.I pressed a button and the curtains parted and the view was straight into Windsor Canada,it just blew my mind.
Got changed and decided to go for a walk,entering a back street a guy jumped out of a alleyway covered in paper bags doing a funny dance.Next minute he scarpered away and a policeman arrived on the scene.The policeman said what the fu*k you doing,i said just taking a walk about to see the sights.Then he explained it was dangerous and keep to the main street,i asked him what was the paperman all about it appears it was the crack cocain thing.
That evening in the hotel i sat at the bar and a young black girl asked me if i wanted a good time.Being naive to American ways i said no thanks i was having a great time anyway,to the barman lent over laughing and said sir she is offering you sex.The young lady left and a guy at the bar started laughing at my predicament as i was glowing red with embarrasment.I got talking to the guy and he told me he was the manager of Leon Spinks and he owned OCL the frieght company.He ended up saying i was invited to the victory party they were having for Tommy nHearns after the fight.And also asked me to come down to ringside before the buig fight and meet one of his famous friends who he was taking to the fight.Well i thought the guy was bullshiting me but i followed his wishes i went down to ringside were he was sitting.He introduced me to a country and western singer who had the longest running radio show in the USA,sorry the name escapes me now.After the fight i went back to the hotel and had a bath and clean up then ventured down to the bar.All the English guys stood outside sayiong the bar was shut due to Tommy Hearns Victory party.I went round to a side door and ask the doorman to ask the guy by the bar if i was still invited.He came over and got me a drink then introduced me to his wife,as i was talking to his wife a hand clasped me on the shoulder and said my manager sent me over.It was Leon Spinks i nearly dropped dead,so the guy was not a bullshitter after all.
But as all my trips something funny happens,the trip was fully inclusive.So not thinking i had room service bringing me large steaks for breakfast in my room.Its when i was booking out of the hotel that i got the shock of the bill and not enough money to pay for it.Terry Downes offered to cover it if all else failed,but in the end the company that run the trip paid it and i reimbursed when i got home.But great memories of a great trip.
GREAT STUFF, David!!!