A Boys Dream (Part 1)

The year was 1987. Kelly was just 9 years old, when his life would change forever. Like most boys his age, Kelly just wanted to play with his friends. Kelly just wanted to have fun. That was about to end. Kelly lived in a two-bedroom apartment with his Dad and two older brothers. In the middle of Chicago, Illinois. Growing up in Chicago was no easy task for any child, let alone, a red headed boy with freckles named Kelly. Kelly was always looked over by his older brothers; they kept a close eye on him. Little did they know they would not have to do that for long? Kelly was picked on, a few jokes here and there but nothing very serious. The apartment they lived in was small, three boys’ had to share one bedroom, Kelly’s dad made decent money, but a single parent raising three boys, two who where in high school, money went fast. They did not have a car, any travel they did was by bus or train. It was Chicago so a car was

not something they needed.

Occasionally Kelly’s dad would have some friends over, to watch a game, or on this night a boxing event. Kelly’s dad was a happy person considering what he had to do in life. However, never did Kelly see his dad this happy, Kelly’s dad loved boxing; he loved everything that had to do with boxing. His walls were covered with books and pictures about boxing. Kelly never did talk to his dad about boxing before this night. Kelly was always to busy with friends. Nevertheless, on this night, Kelly’s life was about to change. Kelly’s dad and his friends were watching a Heavyweight boxer, this young boxer was destroying, every man they put in the ring with him. Kelly’s dad was arguing that this young boxer was the best boxer to step into the ring; he thought he could have been the greatest ever. Kelly’s dad and his friends starting to argue about this fight, and about the heavyweight Champion. The screaming was so loud that Kelly ran out of his bedroom thinking something was wrong, but what Kelly saw was his dad and friends with a smile on their faces, Kelly took a second look at his dad that is when he first noticed how much his dad love boxing. Kelly saw so much passion in his dad’s eyes that night, and he began to think maybe.

Maybe he could be the reason his dad was so happy, Kelly thought to him, he thought he could become a boxer. What Kelly did not know was, one day he would become the greatest boxer ever. All the screaming stopped once the bell rang. Kelly’s two older brothers were on the floor eating popcorn. His dad was right; his dad’s person won the fight and the heavyweight title. When the fight was over, the screaming started up again. Then after a few hours, his dad’s friends left. For the next few weeks, Kelly pretended he was a boxer. Kelly would shadow box in the front yard; they did not have a back yard.

In April 1987, the same group of people came over again. This time it was quiet. They have been waiting a long time for this fight. Once again, Kelly saw that passion in his dad’s eyes. He saw how much love his dad really had for boxing. In addition, Kelly knew it was time to tell his dad, about his dreams. The next day, he told his dad he wanted to be a boxer, his dad laughed at first. However, he must have known, one of his three boys would say that to him some day. Kelly named after his grandfather, who was a professional boxer in Ireland. Kelly’s grandfather went by the name, Kelly “flash” O’Connor, Flash never really made it to the big fights. A long punishing career took a toll on his body and mind. He retired after 54 professional fights. Therefore, Kelly’s grandfather pushed his only son, Kelly’s dad, to give boxing a go. Kelly’s father tried it for a few years, but he would always put women and friends first. That is when they came to America. “Flash” wanted his son to train in the States, with hopes of making it in the boxing world.

Once again, Kelly’s dad met new women and new friends. He always put boxing second.

Kelly’s dad was a handsome man and a smooth talker. Although Kelly’s grandfather was crushed, his heart broken, and his dreams destroyed. He still loved his son and boxing. Kelly’s grandfather just stopped trying to push his only son into following in his footsteps; he just let his dreams float away. Kelly’s grandfather became a trainer in Chicago and focused on other children with dreams of being a boxer. Sadly, Kelly’s grandfather passed away, before he could see his grandson follow those same footsteps. Flash would have been very pleased to know his grandson wanted to be a professional boxer. This is he story; this is the life, what a wonderful life it would be. Kelly O’Connor became a legend, a hero and the greatest boxer many, eyes have ever seen… This is the story of, “Irish” Kelly O’Connor Flash figured if Kelly was serious about being a boxer, he would make Kelly box with his two older brothers. Kelly had to prove he was for real; Kelly’s dad did not want to start something that would not last, just as his dad did with him. Kelly had to beat his brothers, thinking that, if Kelly was to in a fight with older boys Kelly would just give up. Kelly needed to show he could handle fighting; he had to show that he was willing to fight bigger kids. His dad thought if his brothers put a good old beating down on Kelly, Kelly would realize how hard boxing could be. Kelly had to do this before his dad wanted any part in finding him a gym to train in. It did not take long.

Ding Ding, Kelly’s dad shouted. His oldest brother charged him. Kelly moved right and hit him with a right hook, down his brother Patrick went. Patrick was 8 years older then Kelly Next was my other brother Danny, he saw me move right, and thought I would do the right hook again. Danny guessed that was all Kelly knew. This time though, Kelly hit him with an upper cut, and down he went. Danny had blood everywhere Kelly broke his nose. That’s all Kelly’s dad needed to see. Kelly was ready to give boxing a try. After three more weeks of Practice and help from his Brothers. Kelly’s dad took him to the gym that Kelly’s grandfather was a trainer. Kelly’s dad had left a bad impression on the owner of the gym, who helped train Kelly’s grandfather, and taught him how to train other boxer’s.

John “crazy legs” Malone. Knew what Kelly’s dad did to Flash, In addition, how hurt Flash was about His one and only son not boxing. So John did not know, if Kelly would pull the same on him, John wanted to help because he was friends with Kelly’s Grandfather, and he knew that would make Flash happy to know that someone in his family wanted to follow his example, and make his dream come true. John was already training a twelve-year-old boy. Who had won three Illinois state boxing tournaments, so john told him, if you want to box in my gym, you need to give me a reason to let you. He said if you can last three rounds with this kid, If. Then you can use my gym, and I will help you when I can. Kelly knew he had to outbox this kid, who was 4 years older, then him. John said, Kelly if you don’t give me everything, if you slack off just one bit, I do not want you to come here and waste my time. Kelly was only nine years old. This boy Kelly was about to box, had three years, In addition, experience. In addition, he was taller, stronger, faster and heavier then Kelly, but all Kelly needed to do was last a few rounds. Just last with this boy is all Kelly could think of. Kelly knew this was his chance, he knew he had to prove himself again. In addition, that pressure help him, he just keep thinking, just last three rounds, just three rounds. Kelly did one better. After hearing about this kid.

Kelly’s dad Thought Kelly was not going to handle the pressure, boy was he wrong.

Kelly gave that kid the fight of his life. Kelly was nervous at first, mainly Because the boy had been training for almost three years, and won state tittles. Nevertheless, Kelly was able to focus once they started boxing. The kid won the first round because Kelly was just moving around the ring not really throwing many punches. The other boy landed quite a few good head and body shots. The second round was a different story. While Kelly was moving away from him, Kelly saw what the boy was doing when he threw punches. Kelly knew what to expect when the boy would throw a jab, or a hook. Every time he threw with his right his left would drop, that is when Kelly attacked. The boy threw a jab that got Kelly right on his chin, and then the boy tried to throw a hook, and Kelly came in with uppercut and a right hook, of his own two punches and down the boy went. John gave him a ten count. Kelly won the fight and a little bit of Johns respect. John saw bits and pieces of Kelly’s grandfather in him. John told Kelly, the gym was his whenever he needed it. John wanted to train Kelly. John and Kelly’s dad, had a long talk in his office, Kelly was to become a boxer, which is what Kelly’s dad told John. That is what Kelly wanted. They all knew it. Because of his grandfather, Kelly was able to get the help he needed to be a real boxer.

After Kelly and his dad left the gym that day, Kelly knew he done something special. Kelly’s dad was the happiest person in the world, his baby boy just won a real boxing match, and he was only 9 years old. Kelly’s Dad said: whatever I have to do son, to help you and your goal of becoming a boxer I will, I will never stop, I will be right next to you at all times, no mater what, I promise.. If Kelly’s dad only knew, what he was in for. If Kelly only knew, what he was in for. Kelly was almost done with school for the summer. He was ready to start training. The first few weeks were tough; he had no idea boxing was this hard. His dad tried to warn him, but then again he was only nine, and some things went in one ear and out the other. Kelly thought he was just trying to work him up. With training as hard as it was, and school. Kelly was being worn out. He needed help, that’s were his brothers came in to hand, they both knew how much Kelly loved boxing, they knew Kelly had the desire to be a great boxer, and they wanted to help as much as they could. That is what Kelly was born to do, so they were happy to work with him. They did most of Kelly’s schoolwork. Kelly did the math, and English parts. However, all the other classes they took care for him. Kelly had to show John Malone, that he was still working hard a getting an education, John felt that Kelly needed it because boxing can end at any given time. John wanted Kelly to have a back up plan. Kelly gave john everything he had inside him, when he was at the gym. John was very pleased with Kelly’s performance, in the gym and in the ring. However, John wanted to let Kelly know how important an education was, John tried to tell Kelly that his boxing career could end in a blink of an eye. John was an amateur boxer, but out side, the ring accident ended his boxing dreams.

John took the settlement he received from the car accident and opened up a gym in Ireland. That is how John met Kelly’s grandfather, Flash. John and Kelly sat down one day just to talk. John wanted to tell Kelly all about his grandfather. Flash was so devoted to boxer that everything else came in second, family, friends, school, nothing got in Flash’s way of being great at boxing, and Flash would not allow anything to. John told Kelly about the time they met, Flash was already a professional boxer with a 27-12 record at the time; John had just opened his gym, Flash heard about how nice it was inside and how much the owner cared about boxing. Flash just wanted to check out the gym, he wanted to see for himself how nice the gym was. John knew what a boxer would need to have the proper training. So naturally, he filled his gym with all the best equipment money could buy. Flash was amazed at what he saw when he got inside. Everything was brand new, the ring was right in the middle of gym, and everything was perfectly spread out so a boxer could have plenty of room to move around.

While working on the heavy bag, or jump roping, what ever the boxer had to do he had plenty of space to do it. Flash came over and introduced himself to John. John already knew who Flash was, almost every body in Ireland, knew who Flash was. During the 50’s and 60’s Flash was the talk of the town. Not because he was such an established boxer, but because every fight Flash had, he turned it into a war. He gave the fans everything they wanted in a fight and more. Which is why his record was so lop sided 12 losses out of 39 fights, this was not a good record for a boxer trying to win a title. Flash new his losses hurt his chances at getting a real title shot, or a big fight for some real money, So when Flash did fight, he put his heart and soul into the fight. Now Flash did fine with money, he fought about four or five times a year, some year’s e he fought every other month. Making anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 each fight. Plus money he made from special appearances‘. That is a lot of money for that era in time.

The fans wanted to see Flash. Promoters wanted Flash on every under card. They knew if they could get Flash, then they could sell out a stadium. Flash could have used that for his benefit but belt holders did not want to fight him. Therefore, Flash took whatever fight he could get, and he made the fans happy. Boxing was all Flash cared about. One day Flash called John and they talked about the possibility of John becoming Flash’s trainer.

Flash knew whom much John cared about boxing, and this would only help his career. Flash and John hit it off the first time the ever met. Flash was impressed with what John had done with his life, considering all he went through. In addition, how much knowledge john had on the sport of boxing John was more then willing to work with Flash, both knew going in that a title shot was pretty much out of the question, but Flash needed a new trainer and a new place to train. John was 5 years younger then Flash. Moreover, he was a fan of Flash’s already, so they had lots to talk about when they were not busy training.

John tried to get Flash to work on defensive fighting. Flash wanted no part of that. Flash had a chin of steel. Never had he been knocked out. In a fight before. Only one time during Flash’s career had he been knocked down! Moreover, that was his very last professional fight! John wanted Flash to be more careful in the ring, he wanted Flash to stop being so aggressive, and let the fight come to him. Flash would always move in on a boxer no matter what the situation was, he took a lot punishment doing that, but when you realize your not going to get knocked down you become worry free, just as Flash did.

Flash had gone ten years boxing this way, so for John to try to teach an old dog a new trick, it was not in the cards. John and Flash became great friends out side the ring. Flash did learn a few things from John. However, John wound up doing all the learning. Flash and John had 15 fights together, before John decided to move his family to America. John met a few promoters along the way while training Flash. In addition, John listened to what they had to say about becoming a trainer in the states. John already knew that America was rich with talented boxers.

It had plenty of young kids looking to become boxers. John and his wife and three children thought it would be a great move. Flash was hurt when John told him about moving away to another country. Flash had just started to date a woman, and was beginning to settle down. Flash wanted John to be his best man at his wedding. Flash was not just losing his trainer; he was losing his best friend. John told Flash if he ever wanted to come to the states, John would be there waiting for him. Flash got married later that same year, and nine months later, he was a father. It is a boy. Flash was so happy when the doctor said those words. The first thing that came to Flash’s mind was. Here is the next middleweight champion of the world.

Flash had contemplated retiring when his son was born. It would have been a wise decision, all the punishment he took in the ring had taken its toll on him, everyday he woke up sore, but he fought through it. Flash was a very stubborn person. His wife needed him at home; she wanted her husband to help raise their son. Flash wound up fighting three more times after his son was born. Losing all three bouts. In his last fight, he knew now it was time to call it an end. Before this fight, Flash had never been knocked down. In then second round Flash was dropped with a right hook, he had no ideal how to react, considering this was his first time touching the canvas. Flash lost by unanimous decision. Moreover, after that fight he retired. Flash spent his retirement working with his son on boxing.

He wanted nothing more then to see his son in the boxing ring. The first 6 years of retirement Flash spent home with his wife and son. Every night Flash would read a book about boxing to his son. During the day, they would sit and watch movies about boxing. Flash had a new best friend. This was how Flash wanted it. Him and his son watching boxing. Flash would put on film from his fights and try to explain what was going on. All he wanted was for his son to grow up and want to become a boxer just as he did. Flash thought by doing that routine every day it would encourage his son to box. However, it would wind up ruining his sons love for boxing. Flash did not know how to train a boxer, all he knew was how to box.

He could tell you what to do, but not show you how to do it. Once his son started school, Flash went out looking for work at local gyms, hoping to get into training. Flash wanted to be home when school was out, so his hours where limited which hurt his chances at landing a job at any gym. Flash had enough money left over from boxing, that he could live off, so working was not necessary. He just wanted to be apart of boxing.

He may have retired from the sport, but he never wanted to stop being involved with it. Flash thought if he could start his son on boxing early enough, then his chances of making it into the world of boxing would be a lot easier. Boxing was all Flash had ever cared about. So much so that when his son turned six, they started to hit the gyms. He landed a decent trainer for his boy, and they continued to work on his boxing skills. Monday through Friday, it was school then gym. Saturdays and Sundays, they hit the gym twice each day. This was fun for Flash; he was watching his son grow up in a boxing gym. He pushed boxing on his son so hard. After School, on the weekends, boxing, boxing, boxing. It is all they did. Flash was so aggressive with his son being a boxer that his boy began to hate the sport. By the age of ten, Flash had his son in tournaments all over Ireland. They did about four or five tourneys each year. He did not know he was over working his son. He over worked him so much that by age thirteen, boxing was the last thing on his mind.

All he really wanted to do was hang out with his friends, and go on dates with girls from his school. He stopped giving his heart to boxing; instead, he gave it to some pretty dame in his class. He let his friends get in the way of his fathers dream. He wanted to do things other kids where doing. In addition, boxing got in the way of that. This was not how Flash wanted things to end up. He was optimistic for his son. However, he just pushed him too hard, to early. He never let him be a kid. He took his childhood away from him. Flash had no ideal what to do now. His son being a boxer was all he had left. Flash sat down one day thinking about John, and how John could have trained his son. He thought if John was still around, he could have helped his son understand boxing and the pride you get from being a great boxer.

Flash decided to give John a call. They talked for hours. Leading Flash to make a drastic change in his and his family’s life forever. John told Flash to pack up his life and move to America. John was willing to put the family up with a house and help Flash train his son. John was doing well in the states with his gym. He gave up being a trainer after he worked with Flash, now he just runs the gym.

John has helped a lot kids work on boxing skills needed to be great but him never got back into a ring. However, for his old friend he was willing to give training a try again. Flash and John thought with both of them working on all aspects of training, Flash’s son would start to like boxing again and this time Flash was hoping he would stick with it. It took a few months for the O’Connor’s to settle down in Chicago. Once they did, Flash and his boy where back in the gym. This went good for about 4 months. He was doing a great job, training hard; winning tournaments, then school started and boxing went down hill from there. He just quit again. John could not believe this was happening. One minute he was working his butt off, then out of nowhere, he just stopped. Friends came first. When he was in school, he made friends very easily. In addition, he had all the girls he wanted. The Irish accent and his good looks helped him along the way.

He was never scared to talk to a girl he liked, he was very confident. And the girls loved that about him. Flash was devastated once again. He hurt so bad inside. John felt some of the pain. Seeing his best friends dreams destroyed, his heart was crushed. John cared about Flash and seeing Flash in so much pain caused John to go after Flash’s boy. John saw him one day at a playground one day playing basketball. John let him have it. John must have yelled at him for atleast an hour. John gave them a home. He gave up running the gym so he could train again. And this boy just quit, he took everything for granted. John thought this was the worse thing a person could do to his father.

John never wanted to see him again. He told never come to the gym, do not call the gym, and just stay away from him and his family. He said all these things in front of all the kids. John said the worst thing is, you are so much better then your dad, and you are just letting your talent slip away. You could have been great. You could have been the best boxer to ever step into the ring. That was the last time John saw him for almost ten years. Once Flash was able to handle the fact that his boy would not follow his example, he talked to John about working in John’s gym. John was more then happy to hire him. John and Flash worked together for five years. Within the ten years of living in America, Flash saw his wife pass away and his son give up on the sport he loved the most.

Flash passed away at the young age of fifty-six. Although he was so young, he has to see his son get married, twice, and saw two of his three grandsons born. Flash’s funeral was the last time John saw the O’Connor family for eleven years. Eleven long years passed, but once John and Kelly got together, they would wind up shocking the World!