Being a part of bringing it back and reviving boxing here in Detroit, it means a lot to me, from the things I learned from Emanuel, and the things I’ve been doing that he taught me, and this will be another one. “It’s something that’s been a part of everybody’s generation. “It does feel a bit different (to be back),” SugarHill said. Now, he’s returned to his hometown to see how things have changed on a micro level. “Times have changed a bit in the world.”Īs things have changed in Detroit, he’s changed things for the sport of boxing on a macro level. “Emanuel was so involved with the city back in the 80’s, it was a lot different,” SugarHill said. But because the sport’s popularity at large has declined, that generation doesn’t get as much credit for what it did to inspire the next generation - which is still here and winning, without fanfare. Detroit’s standing as a "boxing city" probably doesn’t get the credit it deserves.Įmanuel Steward led Kronk Gym as it became one of the world’s most famous training centers in the 1980’s. That second part is true as well, and important to note. “Then when I started being around more of the fighters, they were like, ‘Oh, you’re Emanuel Steward’s brother. Once I started learning the heritage of my family, where I really come from … that’s when it started setting in and clicking,” Russ said. Not because he’s already thinking of what his legacy will be, but because he knows that every move he’ll make in the sport of boxing shifts the dial on a legacy that began long before he was born. “Tony Harrison raised me from the time I was 12.”Īnd that’s why you’ll hear legacy talk coming out of the 20-year-old Russ’ mouth. “That’s like my big brother,” Russ said of Harrison. In the meantime, Detroit’s Tony Harrison, who chased down a light middleweight title of his own in 2018 and trained at Kronk under Emanuel, took Russ under his wing. Years before that, though, it was their shared uncle, Emanuel Steward (known as the Godfather of Detroit boxing), that brought Russ up in the sport by having him hang around his gym - the world-famous Kronk Gym - as early as 2 years old.Įmanuel Steward died in 2012 and SugarHill has been around the world accomplishing a laundry list of accolades as a trainer. Russ estimates he was about 8 years old when his cousin SugarHill first started teaching him how to box how to wrap his gloves and throw a combo punch. It’s pressure that Russ can handle, but still certainly feels. But yes, he does.That’s created quite a deal of pressure. He has an innate ability, Sky Sports suggest. "I was 100 percent comfortable that he was OK and he proved it by controlling from the fifth round."įury has been floored four times in total by Wilder, once regarded as boxing's hardest-ever puncher, but survived every time. Get his breathing together, get nice and relaxed before the next round. "My main thing after that round? Breathe. Maybe what I want to say is gone because something else happens which is more important to tell him. Don't make that mistake again'," Sugarhill says. "I thought: 'Get yourself together, get up. These are the moments where men like Sugarhill earn their crust - somehow taming a whirlwind of activity in just 60 seconds between rounds. Things got very serious when Fury was decked by Wilder's massive right hand in the fourth round of their third WBC heavyweight championship fight. Image: Fury was floored four times in three fights by Wilder - but never stayed down Tyson allows me to be myself - in private and in public. "But throughout my career, the switch has been off due to the other fighters I have been around. "I take my job seriously, and so does he. "I've always had a sense of humour but Tyson is the right person for me," says Sugarhill. This feels like a match made in heaven, two great boxing minds at the peak of their powers. "I am the only man to beat Tyson! I kick his ass all the time! The day I lose to Fury is the day I lose control!" "They say he dips his hands in gasoline to toughen them up." Then he lays on the ground and I just jump on him. Sugarhill teases how he trains Fury: "Then I kick him in the chin. After beating Wilder they sat shirtless at the press conference then lived the good life in a Vegas nightclub. They played air guitar in a mock rock band. Sugarhill has the same wicked sense of humour as Fury. Twitter Due to your consent preferences, you’re not able to view this.
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