Thompson thinks that trust is well-earned. Tough love is one thing coming from her, he said, “but it’s different coming from men you look up to.” “She’s very supportive of him, but she’s also supportive of the gym.” The champion boxer appreciates that Busby’s mother trusts the gym to discipline her son. When Busby chomps at the bit to get back in the ring, Crawford sees himself. Sometimes, Crawford said, “we make him clean up the gym,” teaching there are consequences for not doing the right thing. Not taking care of business has lately relegated him to the sidelines. What do you like best about boxing, Reno? “I let him try other sports but he’s like, ‘Mom, this is where I’m supposed to be, this is what I’m supposed to be doing.” He’s so dedicated, determined Reno gives it his all,” Thompson said. Once he got past early frustration, she said, “you could immediately see changes in Reno.” She loves that, among other things, the sport affords travel opportunities and learning experiences. Not until, as he said, “I got the hang of it.”
By age 8, she felt his behavioral issues called for another structured activity.Įnter boxing, Crawford, and B&B Sports Academy.īusby didn’t take to it at first. Before boxing, she got him involved in karate. “Even when he’s not working out, he’s there watching, soaking up everything.”īusby’s mother, Thompson, is thrilled to have the positive influence in her son’s life. “When those gym doors open, he’s there,” Nelson said of Busby. Now he views Busby as the champ’s “mini me.” Crawford believes that a gunshot wound to the head he suffered as a young adult set him on a different path that ultimately led to boxing stardom.ī&B super middleweight contender Steven “So Cold” Nelson grew up with Crawford. He came of age as gang life became a rite of passage for classmates, neighborhood kids, friends. Boxing fills a need for after-school structure, male role models and an outlet for anger issues.Ī hard young life is something Crawford said he can relate to after growing up poor in the same neighborhood. was stabbed to death in 2011 in an altercation with family members. There’s other ways.”īusby lost his father to violence. That you don’t gotta get an attitude or get mad and flip out. I just try talking to him about doing things different. I try not to get on him too hard or yell.
#B sports academia free
Photo by Leo Adam Biga for Flatwater Free Press “If he gets in trouble his mom will come and let us know he’s doing bad at school or messing up. His consistency, his ability, his desire to win, his attitude,” Crawford told the Flatwater Free Press. If a group of kids Busby’s age showed up, Busby would quickly become the leader of that group. He always wanted to get in the ring and spar. when Busby was 8.Ĭrawford saw the boy was in the gym every day. “I just take that time out to clear his head away from boxing and to be like a big brother figure in his life.”īusby’s mother, Jache Thompson, signed him up for Crawford’s open gym at 3034 Sprague St. “I put him under my wing and show him the ropes,” Crawford said of Busby. If the champ learns that Busby’s in a bad mood, he’ll arrange to take him to his house, where Busby plays video games and spends time with the champ’s young sons. Time to talk things out, and time to have fun.
That means investing time in his young protege. One of the young fighters who has caught his attention: Reno Busby. Now, Crawford tries to befriend young fighters, like Midge befriended him.
Many don’t know that Crawford had a mentor, the late Midge Minor, who taught him about boxing and life during Crawford’s rise from promising amateur to icon. Most sports-loving Nebraskans know that Bud Crawford is an undefeated 38-0, arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world today, one of the best athletes this state has ever produced. “His grades are a little down, so he’s gotta come down here and watch everybody else work out while he cleans up,” Crawford said. Busby’s coaches – and Crawford himself – believe the Davis Middle School sixth grader may have the talent to go far in the sport.īut on this evening, Busby had a different job. He occasionally glanced over at 11-year-old Reno Busby, a nationally ranked USA Boxing bantamweight. He coached boxers at the North Omaha gym, teased them, cajoled them, encouraged them. As fighters went through their paces one recent night at B&B Sports Academy, its co-owner, world welterweight boxing champion Terence “Bud” Crawford, got right in the mix, interacting with pros and amateurs alike.
0 kommentar(er)
