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07/20/2005 Archived Entry: "My First Live Boxing Show - Reflections on 'Night of Thunder'"
My First Live Boxing Show - Reflections on 'Night of Thunder'
By Tom Morris
Hernandez (left) and Kost trade hard leather at "Night of Thunder" (Juan C. Ayllon photo)
CHICAGO, July 15, 2005 - This was my first fight. I came with expectations of blood and gore. It did not help me when I enterd the ballroom of the Aragon and there was a gurnee with a white sheet and strapped down and ready for action only feet from the ring.
It was 7 pm and the fight was to begin but the room was empty except for fighters and friends. Lights and audio levels were being tested. The energy level in the room was a mere hum. By 7:15pm the buzz was louder and James Brown filled the air with "I Feel Good". Juan Ayllon was introducing me to people behind the scenes and boxers.
The first bout many punches were thrown and many missed their intended targets. I was glad to see the first fight end with a technical knockout.
For me the highlight was the fight between Miguel Hernandez and Kenny Kost. There was action and rapid fire punches and skill that was evident even to a novice observer. The energy in the room was more exciting than watching Ali at the height of his career on TV. Meeting the boxers and realizing that they are real and ordinary people made it a great experience.
After coming home I found myself telling almost everyone I saw about how awsome it was to experience a fight firsthand. From my lips came words like, "Have you ever seen a fight? Go see one."
Tom Morris (left) with Miguel Hernandez (photo by Juan C. Ayllon)
Tom Morris (left) with David Estrada at ringside (Juan C. Ayllon photo)
