In 2011, Neil Goodhue got hit with a right cross, uppercut follow up from fate.
The California resident got diagnosed with a pituitary brain tumor.
Fortune smiled on him, he had surgery and within a year, he recovered, to the point that he wanted to experience more.
“I went back to cycling,” the 63 year old real estate investor told me. “But I started thinking about how I really enjoyed the game of boxing! I actually started some very basic boxing with lessons in 1980 with a friend when there was one boxing gym in San Francisco. When this friend moved away, my boxing “career” ended.”
But after cancer got kayoed, he started up again. “I enjoyed the workout – and the mental game of figuring out the opponent. In the back of my mind, I waited to see if I felt I could handle the workouts.
“In early 2016 I checked out a couple of boxing gyms near my house and found a fairly young, but retired ex fighter who agreed to provide private lessons around my schedule. And as I tend to learn by doing, he would actually spar with me to demonstrate what I am doing properly or not.”
So now he climbs into the ring several times per week and “leaves behind all thoughts of leases, transactions, and loan negotiations to try to avoid getting punched.”
On August 10, Goodhue will travel to NY, to attend for the first time, a boxing camp. The Gleason’s Gym Fantasy Boxing Camp, running Aug. 10-13 at Honors Haven Resort in NY, is the 15th camp run by the Gleason’s owner-proprietor, Bruce Silverglade.
“I’m probably the last person many people would imagine to be a “white collar” boxer,” the Cali man continued. “I have been involved in the real estate industry for 40 years as an investor and property manager and was previously a minor partner in a community bank. This is my first time attending a boxing camp – and I’m very excited. I’m traveling cross country to attend because of the reputation of Gleason’s, the ability to learn from numerous trainers, and train with so many individuals.”
Trainers like ex champs Iran Barkley, and Juan Laporte and Yuri Foreman will show their tricks of the fight trade to “campers” like Goodhue, and one bets that this experience will unfold as a most singular and memorable time for the attendees.
“I’m hoping that I gain enough experience and insight from the camp that Bruce will feel that I could join his team and box in London in 2018!”
The first time camper to be tells NYFights that he appreciates the sweet science skill sets of hitters like Roberto Duran, Pacquiano, and Oscar de la Hoya. “I have always appreciated the mental aspect of the sport – not the brute violence.”
For info on how you can join Goodhue click here.
