Henry Page
Henry has a lot of confidence in his prodigy, Hanson. Despite the bad attitude Hanson displays constantly, Henry stays true to his disciple, regularly having to aid in covering up Hanson’s mishaps and poor decisions and getting the brandishing champ out of the trouble that he seems to search for. It doesn’t help that Hanson demands the company of certain people Henry would rather not have around, like his leeching companion, Craig, who often interferes with Henry’s training of Hanson and who also never seems to shut up.
Henry knows he shouldn’t be feeding into his protege’s recklessness and ill temperament. But he’s taught himself to just look the other way. His pride has made him put the morals and good nature he grew up having to the side for the sake of winning, something he himself could never quite accomplish during his boxing career, at least not to the level he desired…to the level of Hanson. Henry is a perfect example of someone living his dreams through another person.
Just ask his old pal Tony, Henry’s not a bad guy. He’s just afraid to lose. And he’s caught up in the hype of everything. He’s allowed himself to be over influenced and largely controlled by the wrong people. His love for the sport has played second string to his hunger for success. Tony feels Henry officially sold his soul once he allowed Hanson to sign with Cecil Claremont as his manager. “Sure, Hanson might get a fast road to the belt. But nothing good will come from it but a bag of shit,” Tony was quoted saying.
Henry’s craving for success has diminished his path, often clouding his better judgment. But when his pupils are successful he feels like he is too. So, he justifies his actions, or lack there of, with the results he obtains.
Furthermore, no matter what it might seem to outsiders, Henry does share a special bond with Hanson, as the champ has always remained loyal to his longtime trainer. Henry put his neck, and financial well being, on the line for Hanson more times than once during Hanson’s come up. And Hanson, despite his lack of apparent good nature, is not one to forget who has his back….hence people like Craig.
Deep down Henry knows Hanson’s time is coming though. He recognizes the potential Fleet has in taking down his champion. And it scares the crap out of him.
