FATHER

By Roger Esty

I've seen the managers and promoters who've drained the life's blood from their charges. The fighters who had nothing to show for it in the end. What's worse they were allowed to continue too long. Those boys need to be protected now. Some have caretakers. Some live on the county farm. Some wander the streets. Some have droped off the face of the earth.

What I've never understood is why a father would push his son into the most unforgiving of sports, and then let him continue when everyone around could see that it was a bad risk to let it go on.

Frank Baltazar was not one of those fathers. His sons took to the sport without overbearing pressure nor a guilt trip laid upon them from their dad.The sons wanted to box. So be it. When Frank saw that Frankie Jr. was at the end of his career,he told him to clear out his locker. Frank would walk away.There was an empty locker at the Main Street Gym. Tony,the younger brother, thought he could still go. Frank explained to his son that he was a man who could make his own decisions about continuing his career if he wanted,but Frank would not be involved anymore. He washed his hands of it.He told his son that he loved him . Tony was on his own.

Frank told me that every time his sons entered the ring, he was a nervous wreck.That's the way it should be with fathers and sons in this sport. I've seen the exploiters, and the ones who can't see that their guy hasn't anything left.

Next Saturday they're going to give Frank an award at the World Boxing Hall Of Fame Banquet.The Johnny Flores Award. An award that is significant of someone who has given an honest effort developing young fighters. I'll be on my feet applauding.