Sitting in the Golden Gloves gym in North Las Vegas watching the steely focussed young amateur fighters train in the facility that had only hours previously acted as the secret hideaway for the reigning heavyweight champion Mike Tyson as he headed into his biggest fight since emerging from the Indiana youth facility. Mike had just completed his afternoon session surrounded by his usual caravan of cartoon characters who celebrated as the champions entourage. The contrasting quiet in the gym was serene as I watched young heavyweight Steven Jaye go through his paces, under the watchful gaze of the ageless Elijah Thomas. Jaye shadowboxed at a lethargic pace, a complete polar opposite in tempo to that of his hyperactive team mates, the colourful Finger twins from St Louis, Missouri. Super lightweight Terrell was training for an upcoming bout with Desi Ford in Florida whilst unbeaten super welterweight twin brother Lavell had just scored his 18th straight win over the inept Ismail Tillis in St Louis, both brothers a product of the streets were lively and extremely eccentric. Elijah, a man of few words but a decorated reputation concluded the session and spoke candidly about the Tyson v Holyfield fight which was to take place in 48 hours time. Elijah, the former manager of Oliver McCall knows Tyson first hand having seen his charge employed by Mike for several of his best years as a chief sparring partner. Michael is a killer and will go straight for the throat, offered Thomas, he does things differently since coming out of the penitentiary, but still does enough to dominate what’s out there today. Young heavyweight Jaye appeared uneasy at hearing this coming from his manager, but offered his own take in joining Elijah in expecting a Tyson victory. The finger twins however offered a more philosophical stance, “That brother got Jesus..” referring to Holyfields religious preference, it’s hard to beat a man with his beliefs.. Elijah smiled in dismissal to Fingers outspoken opinion. Lavell the twin nodded in agreement, with an unwritten understanding from his life experiences, that Holyfield had too much character to overlook. We all left the gym after exchanging pleasantries with Gym proprietor Hal Miller a former police lieutenant who brought the Golden Gloves franchise to the valley. Elijah, Jaye, myself and the finger twins jumped into Thomas’s oversized Cadillac coupe D’eville and headed out of the elegantly named Fantasy lane towards Washington Avenue destined towards the Strip. Everyone in our company enjoyed the ride in silence as the eloquent sound of Curtis Mayfield narrated the journey. As the car stopped at a set of lights on Fremont street and Las Vegas Blvd, it seemed almost like a movie set, the glittery lights illuminated the car, complimenting the stylishly dressed Thomas who was almost pimp like in appearance with his Versace eyeglasses and cream fedora. Jaye had secluded himself from the group and sunk into his seat under his hood listening to his headphones whilst the twins who held a distinct resemblance of R and B artists KC and Jojo whispered between themselves. Elijah had passed the Flamingo intersection and asked his crew if they wanted to eat.. All agreed enthusiastically at the exact time that Thomas had made the executive decision to pull into the parking area of the Aladdin hotel. This place is as good as any, a nigger casino if I ever saw one.. Jaye shook his head as both Finger twins found the comment distastefully amusing. We walked across the elaborately decorated, guilt Porche Cochere before strolling through the entrance and onto a hallucinogenic patterned carpet that led through the casino walkway. The plan was to eat at the popular Aladdin buffet, but the nostalgic Thomas walked me a little further to the entrance to the theatre of the performing arts reminiscing about fighters that he had brought here to box in the past under the banner of local promoter Tony Trudnich. “This was the joint to be back in the day, if you made an impression boxing on the smaller shows at the Aladdin, the Silver slipper or the Hacienda, you’d soon be fighting at Caesars across the street, fighters served their apprenticeship here.” Elijah’s eyes appeared glassy as he immersed himself in nostalgia before returning to realism and the importance of a buffet dinner.
Over dinner it was interesting to observe the culinary selection of each individual at the table. Heavyweight Jaye had a plate of chicken and mashed potatoes along with some bread and collards. The Chicago fighter ate and made noises to reflect his eating satisfaction.. whilst Both finger brothers chose small plates of fish and salad greens, each poking a fork into separate dishes and eating vigorously. Jaye was seated opposite Thomas and commented on his selection of unorthodox foods. “Hey Lija, why you eat like that, you coulda had roast beef, chicken, Catfish, meatloaf.. anything.. referring to the small plates of romaine lettuce, beets, tomatoes and croutons that the 80 year old sage had opted for. Lavell finger jumped to Elijah’s defence.. brother, that’s why Lija is a fit and spritely example of life, those greens and beets are natures steroids, they supercharge your body, Terrell nodded in agreement, that there is the route to everlasting life, we should all be eating like this to call ourselves athletes. Jaye submitted to the facts and nodded in appreciation as he pulled the final strands of meat from a chicken thigh. I did find it amusing at how both Finger twins were dressed immaculately, their hair was almost flawless and fingernails manicured to death.. but were both freshman when it came to self awareness, completely oblivious to their communal surroundings, both brothers flagrantly ate and spoke with their mouths full of food, occasionally spitting as they made enthusiastic points in the conversation. I actually found it endearing as no matter what they were perfect gentlemen. Continues…. Tomorrow
A Meeting with Don King productions.
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