Yuri went down to the gym to greet a busload of kids from the projects. He felt children really benefitted from seeing the hard work and discipline at work in his gym. Yuri had made the full day’s outing a weekly event and made sure the kids had lunch and dinner before leaving with a bag full of trinkets.
After an hour with them, he went to observe one of the younger boxers in his stable. Paquito Rivera was a promising heavyweight without a loss in his first five professional fights. He watched him spar for half an hour and the kid was impressive. When he went to work on the speed bag Yuri spoke with his trainer,
“Gus, this Rivera’s got the goods, no?”
“It’s early but if puts in the work, he could break through.”
“Work jab, it’s sloppy.”
“Yeah, it’s come a long way though. We’re gonna focus on that and the foot work. He gets it down, he moves right up in the ranks.”
“How long it take?”
“Ah, a coupla months…”
“Can he get ready for Quarry-Norton date? Buster Smith broke hand and pulled out, Bruno look for replacement.”
“He was up against Floyd?”
“Yeah, a bum.”
“Still dangerous but way past his prime, I’ll have Rivera more than ready.”
Yuri pulled some strings and got Rivera as a fill in on one of the undercards for the Jerry Quarry – Ron Lyle match. It was coup and Yuri heavily promoted his fighter and gym, hanging banners outside the building and pushing posters into most Staten Island businesses. The Island got behind Rivera, who was born in Port Richmond and he became a mini-celebrity. Yuri enjoyed the attention the gym and his fighter received and although he knew it was good for his image, he stayed out of the media spotlight.
The tote board flashed the order of finish and we high fived each other.
“Shit, that was scary.”
“You got no faith man. Knob head always comes through, it’s a lock.”
I nodded, my nerves were shot. I wasn’t cut out for this, I knew there was no easy money but this was easier than most ways to make it, “Let’s cash in man.”
We made a bee line for the windows to collect as the monitors flashed pictures of Buck Shot heading to the winners circle.
I didn’t lay a penny down the rest of the night, keeping my hand on the wad in my pocket but Tommy gave some back. We left the track, he wanted to go out but I just wanted to get home and give my mother the money she won so I told him I had a stomach ache.
My mother was happy to get the four hundred she won and didn’t press me for details. I was proud to make her some easy money, take that back, it was nerve racking but with my gut telling me it would end badly, I only involved her once more, though I participated in five more scores.