I sit on the stool, slumped in a heap
My hearing has gone and I try not to weep
The flash of the lights, the roar of the crowd
But I can’t hear them, not even a sound.
My body is tired, my ribs are all numb
I want to be elsewhere, at home with my son.
Anywhere is easier than just being here
But I am the master, controlling my fear.
No place for cowards, no time for the weak
This sport is the toughest, six days of the week
I walked past the crowd, ready to fight
Yet none of them saw me vomit tonight!
A sport of heroes, the time of kings,
I’ve worked so hard, each day in the ring
A tournament of champions, my time has it come?
This round is the twelfth…..I’ll know when it’s done.
I had the urge to write The Boxer after reading the latest boxing news. We could be on for e great fights coming up in the next 12 months – Hopkins, Cleverly, Froch, Haye, Mayweather etc – they are all still fighting fit. Also, sitting on the stool is a funny feeling I can tell you.