HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! By Saratogamist

As I begin to write this piece, I can't help but think about the tremendous influence that fathers have in their children's lives. I wouldn't be writing this article right now, had it not been for the love of boxing my father instilled in me.

I have so many happy memories of times spent with my "pipo" around the square circle at the Palacio de los Deportes back in our native Havana, as well as at Madison Square Garden in New York, where he toiled for such a long time.

I am thankful and grateful to my dad for having been such a positive role model in my life. My only wish is that he was still here to continue to inspire and teach me about boxing and about life in general. I still reach for the phone sometimes, ready to call him to discuss a controversial decision or to ask his opinion about a particular fighter. Old habits do die hard...

While visiting the issue of Father's Day in preparation for this special tribute, I chuckled at the thought of a couple of new dads in our Predictions Pool: Go4acruz, (Cruz) and JSPUSMC, (Jason). How proudly they relayed the news of their new arrivals!

These men let me know how much their "champs" weighed at birth, and assured me that they would soon be in training, all title holders before too long. You gotta love it!

I was very touched by my friend Butch, (Bigdogisback) who related his story to me for the "So You Wanna Be In Boxing" feature in our site. Butch made it very clear that he wanted his stepfather's name mentioned in the piece. It was his way of paying tribute to the man who instilled the love of the sport in him and his brothers.

I also thought about my friend, Nelson Fernandez, (Boxmngr), who spent agonizing months caring for his gravely ill dad, with such a great deal of love and unabashed tenderness.

Yes, we do love our fathers, and their influence in our lives remains strong.

I guess it is safe to say that boxing is no different from any other profession, with offspring following in their dads' footsteps. The Mercantes, (Arthur and Arthur Jr.), and the Ledermans, (Harold and Julie) come to mind. The Duvas, the Zabalas, (Tuto and Tuto Jr.) and the Kings, (Don and Carl), to name a few.

When it comes to boxers, it's interesting to note that some years ago, only sons could and would follow their dads footsteps. Now the daughters are stepping into the ring and meaning it. The Ali-Frazier "extravaganza", (and I use the term loosely), has been by far the most publicized sequel to the rivalry between two of the best boxers the sport has every had. Perhaps not the most deserving of mention from the pugilistic stand point, but certainly a crowd pleaser in so many other ways. Through these two women, the Ali-Frazier "mystique" lives on.

The legendary Roberto "Manos de Piedra" Duran has a son and a daughter following his shining example. So does our beloved George Foreman, who has made it a point to pass on the legacy of the George Foreman moniker by naming all his children, what else? George!! Yes, even the girls carry the name George as a middle name. Classic Foreman, I say.

Hector "Macho" Camacho and his Junior are another example. "Machito" will be in the fight of his career when he meets Jesse James Leija in Coney Island, New York. It is safe to say that dad will be there, cheering Junior on and just being himself.

Floyd Patterson and Tracy, Aaron Pryor and Stephan, the Pazienzas. Last but not least, the top two contenders in my P4P list and their award-winning managers-trainers-dads, Shane and Jack Mosley and Felix Sr. and Felix "Tito" Trinidad.

Those of you who are blessed enough to still have your dads, please do something extra special with them on this very special holiday. Believe me, one day you will look back and be very grateful for the special times. For the less fortunate ones, let's get together in a silent prayer, and give our dads the final ten count with a lot of love, respect, pride and admiration. But, most importantly, let's continue the tradition. Let's pass on the love of boxing.