Been on track, just haven’t had a chance to update. This story gives me a great reason to post… Hit the gym yesterday, went into the boxing area they have setup right next to the weight room to do my mobility warm-up as usual.
As I walk in, there’s a 6 or 7-year old kid playing with some foam rollers, no other adults in the room but a group of 4 guys are in the squat rack closest the boxing room’s doorway, so I figure he’s with them. No big deal. Then he bops me with a foam roller.
Me: “That wasn’t nice.”
Kid: “You’re it now. We’re gonna play hide and seek.”
Me: “Sorry man, I’m in a little hurry. I can’t.”
Kid: “One round, please. I’ll hide and you find me. Count to 10.””
Me: “ Okay, fine.” [counts to 10, finds him in two seconds hiding under the ring apron.]
Kid: “One more round. Count from zero to 20 this time.”
Me: “Last round, really. Anyway, who are you?”
Kid: “I’m Achilles. I’m Big Baby’s son.”
Me: [has no idea who or what Big Baby is] “Neat. I’m Chris. Okay, go. 1, 2, 3…”
Kid: “FROM ZERO!”
Me: “0, 1, 2, 3…” [counts to 20. Looks around, seems like he left the boxing area and went into the gym. Game over, begin leg day.]
20 minutes later, during leg curls, he comes over while eating a cookie and starts climbing on the nearby equipment. Buddy of mine happens over, starts talking to him.
Buddy: “Hey little man, how’s the champ doing today? He here training?” [kid nods, eats more cookie, wanders off.]
Me: “So, who’s his dad?”
Buddy: “You don’t know Big Baby? Jarrell. Number 3 ranked heavyweight in the world. Knocks guys out cold, man. Real monster but he’s a real nice guy. He’s like 275 right now.”
Kid comes back, plays on more equipment. I have to stop mid-set to avoid kicking him when I curl. Two guys walk over.
Buddy: “Big Baby, man, what’s happening?”
Big Baby: “Achilles, leave that man alone while he’s working out.”
Me: “No worries. We already played hide and seek to warm-up.”
Big Baby laughs, takes Achilles and leaves. I finish training. Soon as I get home, of course I look up Big Baby:
Turns out he is ranked #3 in the WBO Heavyweight division. He also did some kickboxing a few years ago, including going the distance in two fights against CroCop. Glad I at least made him laugh, so we’re basically best friends now.