Sock it to me, my son

Alan Minter was playing around with son Ross when an open right hand suddenly whipped from out of nowhere and delivered a light slap to the youngster's cheek before he had time to react and fend it off.

Minter Senior now sports a bit of a belly where he once wore a six-pack. And the hair framing a face made distinctive by that squashed nose is a shade of grey familiar to most men in their fifties.

But the speed that helped 'Boom Boom' Minter claim the British and European middleweight titles, then later the undisputed championship of the world on a glorious night in Las Vegas 23 years ago, is still manifestly evident.

That slap was a reminder for Ross to keep his hands up, as his father had been exhorting him to do in a gym an hour or so earlier.

Lessons in the art of boxing like this one have helped 24-year-old Ross win 10 of his 11 professional fights.

He will seek to make that 11 out of 12 at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham on Thursday when the promising welterweight appears on the first of promoter Frank Warren's Fight Skool bills.

These monthly shows, televised by Sky Sports, have been devised as high-profile classrooms for upandcoming fighters whose talents might otherwise go unnoticed on the undercard of major championships.

For Ross, appearing live in front of the cameras is part of a learning process that began when he turned his back on a football career following a spell with Fulham.

His mentor in the fistic art was Doug Bidwell, who not only happened to be his grandfather but was also the trainer who guided Alan from being a 10-year-old novice to Olympic bronze medallist and world champion following a sensational 15-round victory over Vito Antuofermo at Caesars Palace in March 1980. The twist in the tale is that Alan had married Bidwell's daughter, Lorraine, but they divorced when their child was still young.

One result of the failed relationship was father and son having such little contact that Alan was initially unaware Ross had followed him into the ring.

He only found out while presenting prizes at an amateur show and someone happened to mention how well Minter Junior was doing.

Bidwell died of cancer before Ross made his professional debut but a reconciled Alan was ringside at Wembley in March 2001 when his son won his paid debut. Ross is now trained by Trevor Cattouse, the former British light-heavyweight title contender and another Bidwell protege.

As for Alan, aware that becoming too closely involved in his son's career could lead to a dangerous conflict of judgement and emotion, he keeps a respectful distance when Ross is going about his business.

But the two often sit and watch videos of some of Alan's 49 fights, many of them bloody affairs because of the former champion's tendency to cut, and the father will offer advice when asked.

In that context, would he have advised Ross to abandon any thoughts of taking up boxing had he been a part of his son's life at the time? "Not at all," Alan said. "You see plenty of examples of parents who are against what their kids want to do. But when those kids grow up they regret not having had the chance to chase their dreams.

"I would have told Ross, 'Lovely, beautiful, go ahead and see what you can make of yourself as a boxer.' You've got to let kids get on with it. You never know, they could end up something special."

Novice professionals attend a school of hard knocks and both men received early setbacks, Alan losing his 12th fight and Ross his seventh.

Boxing is infested by so many fickle people in positions of influence - promoters, television executives and even newspaper correspondents - that a defeat can often wreck burgeoning careers.

It is a negative aspect of the game that Alan feels passionate about and he is prepared to lecture any Fight Skool pupil on the subject.

He said: "If you start listening to the knockers and believing them, you'll fade away.

"As an amateur I was told I was never going to make it because I cut too easily. My response was, 'Thank you but look out, I'm on my way.'

"As a pro I had people tell me I would never become undisputed champion of the world. Even pals of mine. But you have to forget the knockers. A boxer can achieve what he wants to achieve, so long as he believes in himself."

Ross, ever the willing pupil, took in every word. He said: "Dad has told me to relax and just let things flow, and that's one of the biggest things I've learned from him.

"There's some of his fights on video where I see him gritting his teeth and trying too hard. That's when he gets hit and gets cut. "But when he relaxes he's unbelievable. From out of nowhere he throws a couple of good shots and 'bop', that's it for the other guy.

"That's a lesson right there, but I know I've still got plenty to learn."

Like keeping those hands up.

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