Duke McKenzie was final week honoured with a plaque outdoors the home during which he grew up, courtesy of Ringside Charitable Belief and the British Boxing Corridor of Fame
IT was a few week in the past I discovered that I used to be being honoured with a plaque outdoors the home I grew up in at 103 Birchanger Highway in South London. It was in recognition of my work with the Ringside Charitable Belief, the British Ex-Boxer’s affiliation and the Croydon Ex-Boxer’s affiliation, and the honour left me speechless.
When Dave Harris of Ringside Charitable Belief stated they have been going to do it, I couldn’t consider it. I can’t even put it into phrases what it meant to me.
Folks discuss legacy and one factor or one other, however that home can be there for the subsequent hundred years. I’ve received children and I’m a grandad now – and I’m certain I’ve received extra grandchildren to return. I went to high school actually 100 yards up the street and South Norwood is the place I used to be born.
In and across the Croydon space we have been fairly well-known, the McKenzie household – for being boxers, that’s, not gangsters or something like that. My older brother was like “Del Boy”, actually. Everyone knew the McKenzies in and round that space, so it’s a privilege and honour for this plaque to now be outdoors the home.
As for legacy, I’ve at all times regarded for various methods to be concerned in boxing since I retired. I’ve performed commentary and I’ve skilled one or two fighters, not formally however on the gymnasium. I’ve at all times performed one thing the place boxing is anxious. I’ve by no means seen myself as a promoter or a supervisor or perhaps a coach. However, for no matter motive, folks like speaking to me. Among the finest issues my brother, Dudley, stated to me was this: “The best reward you can provide anyone is your time. It’s not your automobile keys, your own home keys, or your cash. It’s your time.”
I’ve by no means forgotten that. He instructed me that after I was about six years outdated. Since then, I’ve at all times tried giving folks my time and I feel that’s why folks like speaking to me. I’m fairly an approachable particular person, I’d wish to suppose, and I like to speak to folks. I don’t pry into folks’s lives however folks like speaking to me. I’m like a hairdresser.
What the Ringside Charitable Belief are about is only one factor and that’s giving again. They’re not about taking from the game. They need their legacy to be that they have been males who gave again to their sport. Once they’re gone, or not in a position to run this organisation anymore, their legacy can be secured. They are going to have made a distinction within the sport of boxing. That’s what they’re making an attempt to do.
I’ve identified Dave Harris since I used to be a child. I boxed a few boys from his gymnasium as a toddler. However over time, though I wouldn’t say we saved in contact, I’ve been in a position to see precisely what he represents. He’s one of many good guys within the sport. He’s one of many sincere guys within the sport. He doesn’t need something from the game. He simply desires to provide guys a combating likelihood.
There are many boxers who’re destitute or broke or have drink or drug issues and they’re in want of assist. Dave is making an attempt to supply that assist. He’s making an attempt to construct a state-of-the-art 30-bedroom care house particularly for retired boxers to provide them the good thing about having a roof over their head. It’s magnificent, it truly is. I’m behind it wholeheartedly.
I discover that an increasing number of over time I’ve been doing a variety of mentoring to the youth in and round my gymnasium. You discover out they’ve received this drawback happening, or that drawback happening, and also you attempt to assist them. I’ve at all times thought to myself, You realize what, I’d make a very good counsellor sooner or later.
To be a counsellor, you’ve received to have massive shoulders and massive ears and I’ve received each of these issues. So, that’s the place I see my vocation now, being a counsellor. I don’t simply imply working with boxers, both. I imply working with anyone who wants assist.
For me to determine what’s going unsuitable with boxers at present, each bodily and mentally, is just not troublesome. I’ve been on this sport for 40 years and have been privileged to have achieved greater than your common. I’ve had instances the place I’ve hit lows in my profession however I at all times had any person who was there to select me up. I need to be that particular person for another person now.
