TBCB HoF - Danny Cahalin

Written by Rob Morris

Danny CahalinDanny Cahalin (better known as Wildhawke or Wildhake11 to the internet boxing community) was born in Southern England in 1939. He was married to Rita and has a son, Glen.

Danny’s passion for boxing began he was 15 when he had “a little local involvement” in the sport and would last for the next 55 years. During this time Danny developed an in depth knowledge of the sport which, combined with his self effacing humor and gentlemanly nature would literally touch people from all corners of the world through the internet. Danny loved the interaction on the boxing message boards and his son Glen has indicated it brought him much pleasure.

Danny once shared his own philosophy as how to conduct oneself on these boards:
“On any chat board as you well know you will find a range of different people. It’s a bit like at a party you have been invited to or drinking at your regular bar or drinking hole. Difference is on line you can be a tough guy and a keyboard warrior and get away with it most times. But take a bet that many who think they are a tough nut would be as quite as a mouse in a different situation. Where the wrong word or even a stare at a stranger a little too long would lead to making a guy feel uncomfortable very quickly I have always tried to live by the rule speak to others as you yourself would like to be spoken to. I also agree never say anything to someone on line that you would not be prepared to say to him in person.”
Danny truly lived up to this philosophy through words and actions.

On one occasion an American gentleman from one the boxing boards was shot six times. Danny quickly put out a plea for some boxing tapes on video or DVD and asked for names of reliable sellers of good quality tapes so that he could send him some fights to watch while he recuperated.

It is ironic that one of Danny’s quotes about another poster on a message board, “Never have I heard a bad word said about you from anyone. Your Class, Sheer Class“is so applicable to Danny himself.

As well as boxing, Danny liked football (soccer), his favourite team being Chelsea of the English Premier League. He also enjoyed horse-racing computer games and liked simulation games and shoot-em ups. One of Danny’s favorite games was Title Bout Championship boxing, and as respected member of that community was a member of the testing team. This was an endeavor he thoroughly enjoyed and contributions during the development process were invaluable.

Sadly, just before Christmas of 2009 Danny was diagnosed with a brain tumor, yet in typical unselfish fashion he announced it on the internet in January so as not to spoil our Christmas!! This act epitomized the type of person Danny was, putting the joy of others first, even in his greatest hour of need. Tragically Danny died of this tumor on 7th May 2010 and his loss left an irreplaceable void in the lives of all that knew him.

Danny indicated on some of the internet boxing boards (namely Cyber Boxing Zone, Boxrec and Title Bout Championship Boxing) that some of his favourite fighters were Rocky Marciano, Benny Leonard, Harry Greb and Archie Moore amongst others, but he respected all that were brave enough to enter the ring. Yet Danny’s bravery and spirit in face of the illness that would eventually take him from us would have made any one of these warriors proud. His will and character were strong to the end and it is those traits that will remain his legacy.

I read once or twice Danny quote the lyrics from “My Way” by Frank Sinatra. A couple of the verses seem particularly apt to Danny.

And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain
I've lived a life that's full
I travelled each and every highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way

For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught
to say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels
the record shows I took the blows and did it my way!

Yes, it was my way.
RIP Danny, much missed and never to be forgotten.