FRANK O'SULLIVAN, MBE, recollects the moment he helped Galal Yafai get on the path to Tokyo gold.
Birmingham's legend of amateur boxing, aged 84, had already helped to mold older brothers Gamal and Khalid into future European and world champions.
Boxing legend Frank O'Sullivan helped Galal Yafai, Olympic gold medalist, along with Frank O'Sullivan.
Galal, a flyweight, had seen the darker side of boxing and sought advice from the best sources to help him make a difference in his life.
O'Sullivan said to SunSport that even though Gal was just joining the Team GB squad he did a great job at Land Rover.
"One day, he came up to me and said that he didn’t know if he could be a successful boxer.
He asked me whether he should focus on his career and quit or give up a promising job so he could focus on his boxing.
"I can still remember holding his hand and telling he that he couldn't afford to box because he didn’t have kids or a mortgage.
I told him that his opportunity was short-lived and that he shouldn't regret what could have been ten years later.
"I went to Land Rover and spoke with one of their top executives to explain the situation.
"They decided to give him twelve months to concentrate on boxing, while keeping his job in place and sponsor him.
"I believe that that period really helped him. The company is very proud to have helped someone like that."
O'Sullivan has 65 years experience as a coach and is too humble to admit that he is responsible for Team GB's recent success in boxing. He was Rob McCracken's mentor during his amateur career.
He is respected and loved in the Midlands, so when Kal Yafai was a child who was struggling at school, his mother gave permission for the Birmingham City Boxing Club to make some sense of him.
O'Sullivan shared his fondness for the family by revealing: "When Khalid first joined our club, his mum brought her down because he was being a bit naughty in school.
"She gave me permission to give him a slap if he had any problems -- but thankfully, I never had to.
"I have always believed that respect comes from giving respect. That is what I have taught every lad who walks through our doors -- champ or chump -- as part club policy."
O'Sullivan's phone rings five times during the interview. His lifelong commitment to sweet science is what drew most attention.
As his faith and decades of hard work go unrewarded, his wife plays the role of secretary.
O'Sullivan will be at the gym tonight, just as he was last night, and tomorrow, and will treat novices and champions alike.
He stated, "When I took over the gym, for the first 25-years I never charged anyone anything.
"We managed to keep afloat by running our own shows and having fun days -- all for free, but I would ask the parents to pay for a pass in the gym or to wait for us.
"I still go to the gym five times a week.
"Mrs O'Sullivan believes it's time that I give some work to other coaches, but I'm not ready to give up the reins yet.
"The follies and age of youth are catching up to me, but I will never stop trying to beat them."
Did you miss our previous article...
https://secondsaway.co.uk/boxing/tommy-fury-attacks-jake-paul-claiming-he-has-no-balls-but-expecting-to-fight-the-youtuber
