Tag Archives: Team Blackwood

Aug12013

Posted in F4YL Character Descriptions

Fleet Blackwood

F4YL - Fleet

Fleet Blackwood

Fleet Blackwood is a humble, yet determined and energetic boxer eager to make something of himself in and out of the ring.  But his path hasn’t been easy.  Often seen as the underdog throughout his life, Fleet comes from a single parent family, raised by his mother, his father having left the picture many years ago.  Much of his childhood was plagued with struggles for both him and his mom.  Fortunately, Ahiga Montejo found Fleet at a young age and was able to set him on a straight road with the help of his good friend Tony “The Tiger” Mercado.

Both Ahiga and Tony have used boxing as a means to lead and push Fleet.  But the relationships Fleet has formed with his two coaches far exceed sport.  Both men have become like family to him, with Tony being like his crazy uncle.  As for Ahiga…well, the bond Fleet shares with Ahiga has formed even deeper, with Fleet viewing Ahiga as a true father figure in his life.  He owes so much to these men.  And he has vowed to make them proud by winning the belt from his longtime rival, Hanson Hansome Kelly.

Despite the internal and external battles Fleet has faced along his life’s journey, always feeling as if something was missing and always searching for something he is yet to find, he’s always maintained a good heart.  Ahiga recognized his light from their very first meeting, seeing a strong spirit in the boy.  It’s Fleet’s heart and spirit which have allowed him to grow into the intelligent and powerfully willed man he is today, well respected by his home town and well revered by the boxing community.  But on this night of nights, his character will truly be tested, along with his diligence and hard-earned skill.

To truly comprehend the challenges that await him, as well as those that have fought with him his entire life, Fleet must finally understand not only the teachings Ahiga has gifted him with, but also himself.  Before he can prevail, he must realize what he’s truly fighting for.  Only then may he rise….

 

 

Aug12013

Posted in F4YL Character Descriptions

Ahiga Montejo

Ahiga Montejo

Ahiga Montejo

Ahiga Montejo was a prodigy boxer that rose quickly in the world boxing rankings, becoming a champion at a very young age.  However, for reasons unclear, he unexpectedly left the game.  He was nowhere near his peak and rumors ran rampant as to why he suddenly disappeared.  Much of what happened to Ahiga during a span of years directly after his disappearance is still unclear, even to the few people he has kept in touch with.

It wasn’t until after his unknown years Ahiga ran across a young Fleet Blackwood, eventually deciding to take Fleet under his wing and train the boy along side his good friend Tony.  Tony and Ahiga have been amigos since they were teens, with Tony being one of the few people Ahiga has remained “unhidden” from since his disappearance from boxing, and the world in general, all that time ago.  It is Tony’s hope that Fleet will be the light to bring Ahiga back from the shadows, into the world once more.  He feels Ahiga has so much to give, so much knowledge to spread.  And Tony wants nothing more than to see his lifelong friend defeat his inner demons and be the man he once was and still views him to be.

Although he can be long winded at times, Ahiga’s philosophical ways have been deeply affective on Fleet.  In fact, Fleet himself doubts if anyone else could have gotten him where he is today.  What Ahiga calls his 9 Principles of Life have been the foundation of his teachings throughout his time as Fleet’s mentor.  These Principles are his way of connecting life with boxing and everything in between.

Much of Ahiga’s philosophy comes from his Native American heritage, which he holds dear.  His past has much sorrow, as does that of his ancestors and their fate.  But it is Ahiga’s personal belief of the incorporation of the now which allows him to push past his short comings and the tragic history of his kin.  He believes in a balance of the old ways with the new.  But he also recognizes how often the old ways are ignored, with the new ways dominating and clouding people’s minds.  Ahiga sees that a connection between new and old ways will always be present.  Therefore, there always must be balance, for no one way is totally right and each way is dependent on the other.  Each way is important.  This balance is the same for all things in life.

Despite Ahiga’s beliefs, he remains in inner turmoil to find his own balance.  Lucky for him his philosophical characteristics share space with quite a cooky sense of humor, which helps the old spirit cling to optimism, always seeing the best in any situation.  Hopefully Ahiga will one day find his peace.

But on this evening of events it is what Ahiga has taught his pupil that truly matters.  What Fleet has learned and incorporated into himself from Ahiga’s Principles will come to be of great importance on this peculiar night in which the young man must test his might against a plethora of challenges.  And with Fleet’s obstacles too comes an ultimate test for Ahiga’s teachings.

 

 

Aug12013

Posted in F4YL Character Descriptions

Tony “The Tiger” Mercado

Tony "The Tiger" Mercado

Tony “The Tiger” Mercado

Tony “The Tiger” Mercado is a lively ex-boxer who now spends his days mentoring youth and training up and coming boxers.  Not afraid to tell it how it is, and not taking any bull, Tony is a well respected member of his community and is known to stand up for what’s right, especially when it comes to youth.  Having grown up in the foster care system himself, he’s made it a point to share close relationships with many outreach organizations and has made it a personal duty to give back to the community and help kids.

Underprivileged children always have a home at his gym, where he’s known to tell stories from his past on a daily basis.  He’s been around and recognizes game when he sees it.  So, many of Tony’s stories are meant to teach street smarts and inform young boxers about the darker side of the business of boxing, which have served many of his students well.  Bobby, a longtime protege of Tony, is a perfect example of such positive influence.

But Tony’s stories are often mixed with a lot of jokes and inappropriate content as well, which the kids tend to love, but doesn’t always sit well with the more straight laced of his peers.  There’s definitely no censoring this fun loving, yet hot blooded, character.  His robust ways may have earned him a reputation for being blunt and not always polite, but they have also aided in giving him the reputation of being a brave, honorable and largely selfless man.  Time has taught him patience and has soothed his temper.  But it definitely hasn’t toned down his hilarious, and often crude, sense of humor!

Ahiga knows this sense of humor all too well.  Tony and Ahiga have been friends since they were teens and came up together in the boxing world.  When Ahiga made the decision to suddenly leave boxing early on in his incredibly successful career, Tony was as shocked as anyone.  It was only Tony, with him being Ahiga’s best friend, and a select few other persons that Ahiga maintained contact with after his departure from the ring.  Tony went on to continue his professional boxing run, having a very fruitful career in any regard, before eventually opening his own gym upon his retirement.

Years later, when Ahiga brought a young boy by the name of Fleet into Tony’s gym, Tony saw not only promise in the boy as a boxer, but also saw an opportunity to bring his friend back into the light.  Ahiga had remained in the shadows since his punching days, choosing not to allow his whereabouts to be known by the masses that might still wonder what had happened to the once phenomenal boxer.   And because of his miraculous feats, as well as his utter disappearance, he is now thought of in the boxing ranks as more of a legend than actual man.

As Tony has continued to help train Fleet, as well as represent him in all of Fleet’s public athletic competition endeavors, he has also continued to have the hope that one day Fleet will be able to bring Ahiga back into the world, allowing all of society to benefit from the unique and powerful mindset Ahiga possesses.  But no matter the outcome of his good friend, Tony’s focus is on doing everything he can to ensure Fleet is ready to beat the current champ, Hanson Hansome Kelly, who is the protege of an old buddy named Henry Page, and who also happens to be managed by one of sleaziest scoundrels in the sport, Cecil Claremont, who has it out for Tony…..boy would Tony love to knock Cecil out.

 

 

Mar22015

Posted in F4YL Character Descriptions

Bobby

Bobby aka Fleet's Corner Man

Bobby

Every great fighter has a great team behind him.  Much of Fleet’s success comes from his neverending support system, from his mom, to his mentor, Ahiga, to his trainer, Tony, to even his neighborhood market owner, Mr. Jenkins.  Bobby is the guy every fighter wants in his corner.  And Fleet is lucky to have him.

Bobby was a pretty good boxer himself, until an injury took his fighting days away from him.  He trained under Tony for years, and had the heart of a champion, although he just didn’t quite have the talent to actually be one.  Still, he understands what it takes to be a champ and gives his all to help up and coming fighters reach their goals.  It was only natural he stayed with Tony after his career ended, helping his former coach with his gym and the training of young fighters.  Fleet was just turning pro around the time of Bobby’s transition from fighter to corner man.  The two had always shared a good relationship.  And Fleet has always been happy to have Bobby in his corner.

When Bobby isn’t helping Tony train his fighters, or doing gym duties, he loves to be a part of the entertainment scene in the city.  He’s done some commercials and it is his second life in entertainment which gave him his first glimpse of a young actress, named Grace Justice, trying to make a name for herself in the Sacramento and Bay Area film and TV societies.  Grace turned her focus to journalism early on in her career, with her catching wind of a stewing rivalry between two local, up and coming amateur boxers in the first year of her employment at one of Sacramento’s newspapers.  The story of the ongoing rivalry between Hanson Hansome Kelly and Fleet Blackwood has been her personal jewel ever since…..and it’s been Bobby’s ongoing opportunity to try to win Grace over.

 

 

Mar52014

Posted in F4YL Character Descriptions

Ms. Blackwood

Ms. Blackwood with Fleet (Boy)

Ms. Blackwood

Fleet’s caring mother, Ms. Blackwood was very tentative in allowing Fleet to start boxing when he was a boy.  But she realizes now it was one of the best decisions she ever made for her son, and for herself.  Even though she knows Fleet’s advanced abilities protect him in the ring, it still doesn’t stop her from getting nervous as all heck when he fights!  Fleet is her life.  And his safety and well-being is at the top of her priority list.

Ms. Blackwood went through a lot of struggle with raising Fleet, with his father leaving them not long after Fleet was born.  She decided immediately when this happened that she would not cry and she would not make excuses.  She fought her personal demons along the way and made things work, not allowing her circumstances to overcome her family.  Few people understand that it’s really from his strong-willed mother that Fleet gets much of his determination, work ethic and inner power.

Once turned off by the idea of her son throwing fists in the ring for a career, Ms. Blackwood has allowed herself to “get use to it”, realizing Fleet’s talent.  She owes so much gratitude to Ahiga for finding Fleet, seeing something in him.  All these years of his service to her son has earned her undying respect and appreciation.  She thinks of both Ahiga and Tony as family.  Without them, she doesn’t know what would have happened to Fleet….or herself.