Narrative Essay On Micky Ward's Life
“I trained as hard as I could, I ran as much as I could, I sparred hard, I did everything right. I did everything I could possibly do at the age when I could fight. You have to be realistic; you can’t say, ‘Oh, I am smarter now, older and can punch harder.’ You think you can, but you can’t.” Micky Ward did not grow up saying things like, ‘I can’t wait to be a boxer when I grow up, nor was he interested in it as a career at all when he was little. He came from a large family where everyone was required to pitch in and he was struggling with many personal issues. In fact Ward had no interest in boxing until his step brother Dickie Eklund started to make a career of it. Later he would credit Dickie for helping him start his career. It took only
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a few matches for everyone to see the talent and potential of Micky Ward. It took one fight to show the world he was a success. It also only took one bad decision to bring him down. Micky Ward is a fighter; he fought to survive a disastrous childhood, fought to become a great boxer, and later fought his addictions. “Emotional hurt, you gotta let that go. Walk away and let it be. So many highs and lows, but if you keep being down, you’ll never get up.” Ward was born and raised in Lowell, Massachusetts. He lived in a small house with his mother Alice, father George, half-brother Dickie Eklund and his seven sisters; Cathy Eklund (Pork), Cindy Eklund (Tar), Gail Eklund (Red Dog), Phyllis Eklund (Beaver), Sherri Ward, Kasie Ward and ‘Little Alice’ Eklund. With eleven mouths to feed everyone in the family worked and were taught early not to complain. Ward did just that, worked hard and kept quiet. He kept silent about the sexual abuse that was occurring. He did not tell anyone about the family friend who was hurting him until many years after his retirement. Instead he worked hard. Ward never grew up dreaming to pursue a career in boxing; when he first became aware, he saw boxing as an opportunity to survive, a gateway to a new life, a safe haven from the pain. He would see Dickie Eklund going to the gym and taking his anger out on the bags and the people, so for him, it seemed like the perfect place for an eleven year old boy to go to take out his anger and beat all the fear he had into a sand bag.
Ward’s reasons for stepping into the gym may not have been different than most, but then so were the results of that decision. His career started by simply going to the gym with his half-brother Dickie Eklund. Dickie Eklund also known as the ‘Pride of Lowell’ liked the hero worship his brother showed him and also saw Ward’s potential for greatness. Dickie himself had an opportunity to go big after a legendary fight with Sugar Ray Leonard. Still he made time to train his younger brother. As the pressures of success turned to drug abuse and Dickie’s career ended with a record of ten losses and nineteen wins, he still managed to be there for Ward. Ward recalls how at Dickie’s lowest point, when he cared about nothing more than the next fix; he would still manage to make it in to train him. Even though he was late to some of Ward’s practices Eklund still was able to help his brother become a three- time New England Golden Gloves champion. Ward used his brother as an opportunity and gave it his all; “You give to get. Whether it’s helping someone or training a kid, I believe you will be rewarded in some way.” Ward didn’t have his first official fight until June 15, 1985. He went in the ring with Davin Morin in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Ward ended the fight with his first professional win (1-0). Fifteen matches later on September 25, 1987 Ward got his first professional loss against Edwin Curet in Atlantic City, New Jersey (14-1). Even with the loss he was suddenly getting noticed.
The once young boxer was now a prize fighter and getting some attention. However not all of it was good. Mike Toma was the first to make a play for Ward, offering a salary of $17,500 to train under him in Las Vegas. Dickie Eklund attempted to make the next offer by raising funds to match the salary that was being offered. Although Dickie’s intentions were good, he was still an addict and access to that much money was too much for him. In the end the money did not go to Ward but instead to feed Dickie’s drug addiction.
In an attempt to make good on his previous actions, Dickie took the situation even further and forced Ward to make a decision that could cost him everything.
Eklund decided to take back the money from the streets and the dealers who he felt had robbed him. His plan was simple: dress his girlfriend as a prostitute, wait for a dealer to pick her up, bust in, dressed as a cop, and shake down the thug. However when the real cops became involved Dickie was forced to run. On the run, he reached out to Ward for help. With Ward deciding to go to the aid of his brother he made a choice that could have ended his career. Ward was arrested for coming to Eklund’s aid. In the process of being arrested, the police recognized Ward and severely smashed his hand to prevent him from fighting back. With a long list of prior convictions Eklund was sent to prison. Ward was released, but with a wounded hand, no manager, trainer, or brother.
A third contender stepped into the ring. Micky O’Keefe agreed to take over Ward’s career on one condition: that Micky would drop his family. As long as he was training with O’Keefe, his mother Alice Ward would not be allowed to act as manager and his brother Dickie Eklund would no longer train him. They were to start completely over with Ward’s boxing career. O’Keefe had succeeded in separating the family from the fighter, but he was not successful in keeping them out of Ward’s …show more content…
head. Micky Ward’s first fight with his new manager was in Las Vegas against Alfonso Sanchez. Everyone said the chances of a win were slim but O’Keefe didn’t really seem to care. Somewhere in the middle of the fight Ward decided to fight using the tactics that Dickie Eklund had taught him (head, body, head, body). It wasn’t the narrow win, but the realization that he had achieved it only by following his brother’s training that shook him. Ward now had a shot for a title against WBU (World Boxing Union) welterweight champion Shea Neary in London. When Dickie Eklund was released from prison soon after the fight, it did not take very much for him to convince Ward to let him return. Alice Ward also asked to manage him once again. Ward strongly believed that many of the breaks afforded him throughout his career would not been made possible if not for Dickie and Alice. Of the many opportunities offered Ward, his biggest successes in the ring came from his three fights with Arturo Gatti. The matches were toted as “Fight of the Year” in magazines and newspapers across the country. The initial match took place on May 18, 2002 in Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut. Ward battled with Gatti and came out ahead with a score of 38-11. Less than a full six months later, on November 23, 2002 Ward and Gatti went head to head again. Although the odds weren’t in Gatti’s favor this time, he took the victory with a score of 38-12. Even though he did not win the second match Ward still took home a second “Fight of the Year” title for 2002. The final match up of Gatti and Ward took place on June 7, 2003 and Ward was awarded “Fight of the Year” title for the third consecutive time. When it was all over Gatti had claimed the victory with a score of 38-13. However it wasn’t only the battle of two great fighters that was coming to a close. Ward ended the match by announcing his own retirement.
Ward married his longtime girlfriend and they lived together with his daughter Kasie from his first marriage.
He followed his dreams and opened not only his own boxing gym but also an outdoor ice hockey rink. He may have retired from the fighting, but he still holds on to his memories. He ended his career with 38 wins (27 knockouts and 11 decisions) and 13 losses (1 eye-stoppage and 12 decisions.) He now works to help others start their own boxing careers. He likes to remind them that the key to success is long, hard practices and a heart to do more. He likes to remind the new kids of this: “I never lost a fight because I wasn’t in shape or because I wasn’t ready. I lost because I was either beaten by a man better than me or, it wasn’t my night.” Ward was never what you would call a sore loser. He feels this is another important lesson for the up and coming fighters. Losing can be just as valuable as winning. When he lost a match he wouldn’t shut everyone out, sit around pouting, or blame others for it. Instead he took the loss as a personal challenge. He would rewatch the fight and focus on where he fell short. He would analyze ways to do things better. He would then return to the gym to practice longer and harder. He readily admits to making many mistakes, both in and out of the ring. However he very rarely made the same mistake twice, and to this he credits a portion of his
success.
All of the hard work paid off in the end. He pushed himself from where he was to where he is now, battled against his past in hopes of having a better future. The pain and abuse of his childhood spurred him into a sport he had never even considered. The support of his family and his desire to do better, have better, and be better, made him a success. That same unwavering family support turned on him when his step-brother Dickie almost destroyed Ward’s career, like he had his own. Still with perseverance he prevailed. He got back in the ring and pulled Dickie back up as well. Now at the end of his career he has decided to return to the very beginning. The eleven year old boy in the gym is still there, only now he is coaching and guiding instead of releasing his anger through his fists. He has accomplished much, survived even more, and is a true hero to the sport.
a few matches for everyone to see the talent and potential of Micky Ward. It took one fight to show the world he was a success. It also only took one bad decision to bring him down. Micky Ward is a fighter; he fought to survive a disastrous childhood, fought to become a great boxer, and later fought his addictions. “Emotional hurt, you gotta let that go. Walk away and let it be. So many highs and lows, but if you keep being down, you’ll never get up.” Ward was born and raised in Lowell, Massachusetts. He lived in a small house with his mother Alice, father George, half-brother Dickie Eklund and his seven sisters; Cathy Eklund (Pork), Cindy Eklund (Tar), Gail Eklund (Red Dog), Phyllis Eklund (Beaver), Sherri Ward, Kasie Ward and ‘Little Alice’ Eklund. With eleven mouths to feed everyone in the family worked and were taught early not to complain. Ward did just that, worked hard and kept quiet. He kept silent about the sexual abuse that was occurring. He did not tell anyone about the family friend who was hurting him until many years after his retirement. Instead he worked hard. Ward never grew up dreaming to pursue a career in boxing; when he first became aware, he saw boxing as an opportunity to survive, a gateway to a new life, a safe haven from the pain. He would see Dickie Eklund going to the gym and taking his anger out on the bags and the people, so for him, it seemed like the perfect place for an eleven year old boy to go to take out his anger and beat all the fear he had into a sand bag.
Ward’s reasons for stepping into the gym may not have been different than most, but then so were the results of that decision. His career started by simply going to the gym with his half-brother Dickie Eklund. Dickie Eklund also known as the ‘Pride of Lowell’ liked the hero worship his brother showed him and also saw Ward’s potential for greatness. Dickie himself had an opportunity to go big after a legendary fight with Sugar Ray Leonard. Still he made time to train his younger brother. As the pressures of success turned to drug abuse and Dickie’s career ended with a record of ten losses and nineteen wins, he still managed to be there for Ward. Ward recalls how at Dickie’s lowest point, when he cared about nothing more than the next fix; he would still manage to make it in to train him. Even though he was late to some of Ward’s practices Eklund still was able to help his brother become a three- time New England Golden Gloves champion. Ward used his brother as an opportunity and gave it his all; “You give to get. Whether it’s helping someone or training a kid, I believe you will be rewarded in some way.” Ward didn’t have his first official fight until June 15, 1985. He went in the ring with Davin Morin in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Ward ended the fight with his first professional win (1-0). Fifteen matches later on September 25, 1987 Ward got his first professional loss against Edwin Curet in Atlantic City, New Jersey (14-1). Even with the loss he was suddenly getting noticed.
The once young boxer was now a prize fighter and getting some attention. However not all of it was good. Mike Toma was the first to make a play for Ward, offering a salary of $17,500 to train under him in Las Vegas. Dickie Eklund attempted to make the next offer by raising funds to match the salary that was being offered. Although Dickie’s intentions were good, he was still an addict and access to that much money was too much for him. In the end the money did not go to Ward but instead to feed Dickie’s drug addiction.
In an attempt to make good on his previous actions, Dickie took the situation even further and forced Ward to make a decision that could cost him everything.
Eklund decided to take back the money from the streets and the dealers who he felt had robbed him. His plan was simple: dress his girlfriend as a prostitute, wait for a dealer to pick her up, bust in, dressed as a cop, and shake down the thug. However when the real cops became involved Dickie was forced to run. On the run, he reached out to Ward for help. With Ward deciding to go to the aid of his brother he made a choice that could have ended his career. Ward was arrested for coming to Eklund’s aid. In the process of being arrested, the police recognized Ward and severely smashed his hand to prevent him from fighting back. With a long list of prior convictions Eklund was sent to prison. Ward was released, but with a wounded hand, no manager, trainer, or brother.
A third contender stepped into the ring. Micky O’Keefe agreed to take over Ward’s career on one condition: that Micky would drop his family. As long as he was training with O’Keefe, his mother Alice Ward would not be allowed to act as manager and his brother Dickie Eklund would no longer train him. They were to start completely over with Ward’s boxing career. O’Keefe had succeeded in separating the family from the fighter, but he was not successful in keeping them out of Ward’s …show more content…
head. Micky Ward’s first fight with his new manager was in Las Vegas against Alfonso Sanchez. Everyone said the chances of a win were slim but O’Keefe didn’t really seem to care. Somewhere in the middle of the fight Ward decided to fight using the tactics that Dickie Eklund had taught him (head, body, head, body). It wasn’t the narrow win, but the realization that he had achieved it only by following his brother’s training that shook him. Ward now had a shot for a title against WBU (World Boxing Union) welterweight champion Shea Neary in London. When Dickie Eklund was released from prison soon after the fight, it did not take very much for him to convince Ward to let him return. Alice Ward also asked to manage him once again. Ward strongly believed that many of the breaks afforded him throughout his career would not been made possible if not for Dickie and Alice. Of the many opportunities offered Ward, his biggest successes in the ring came from his three fights with Arturo Gatti. The matches were toted as “Fight of the Year” in magazines and newspapers across the country. The initial match took place on May 18, 2002 in Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut. Ward battled with Gatti and came out ahead with a score of 38-11. Less than a full six months later, on November 23, 2002 Ward and Gatti went head to head again. Although the odds weren’t in Gatti’s favor this time, he took the victory with a score of 38-12. Even though he did not win the second match Ward still took home a second “Fight of the Year” title for 2002. The final match up of Gatti and Ward took place on June 7, 2003 and Ward was awarded “Fight of the Year” title for the third consecutive time. When it was all over Gatti had claimed the victory with a score of 38-13. However it wasn’t only the battle of two great fighters that was coming to a close. Ward ended the match by announcing his own retirement.
Ward married his longtime girlfriend and they lived together with his daughter Kasie from his first marriage.
He followed his dreams and opened not only his own boxing gym but also an outdoor ice hockey rink. He may have retired from the fighting, but he still holds on to his memories. He ended his career with 38 wins (27 knockouts and 11 decisions) and 13 losses (1 eye-stoppage and 12 decisions.) He now works to help others start their own boxing careers. He likes to remind them that the key to success is long, hard practices and a heart to do more. He likes to remind the new kids of this: “I never lost a fight because I wasn’t in shape or because I wasn’t ready. I lost because I was either beaten by a man better than me or, it wasn’t my night.” Ward was never what you would call a sore loser. He feels this is another important lesson for the up and coming fighters. Losing can be just as valuable as winning. When he lost a match he wouldn’t shut everyone out, sit around pouting, or blame others for it. Instead he took the loss as a personal challenge. He would rewatch the fight and focus on where he fell short. He would analyze ways to do things better. He would then return to the gym to practice longer and harder. He readily admits to making many mistakes, both in and out of the ring. However he very rarely made the same mistake twice, and to this he credits a portion of his
success.
All of the hard work paid off in the end. He pushed himself from where he was to where he is now, battled against his past in hopes of having a better future. The pain and abuse of his childhood spurred him into a sport he had never even considered. The support of his family and his desire to do better, have better, and be better, made him a success. That same unwavering family support turned on him when his step-brother Dickie almost destroyed Ward’s career, like he had his own. Still with perseverance he prevailed. He got back in the ring and pulled Dickie back up as well. Now at the end of his career he has decided to return to the very beginning. The eleven year old boy in the gym is still there, only now he is coaching and guiding instead of releasing his anger through his fists. He has accomplished much, survived even more, and is a true hero to the sport.