FROM MINSKER TO MANDY, TO HOPEFULLY A FLOURISHING FISH AND A SUPER SPENCER!
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By Mike Schmidt
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This past week a select few had a real boxing treat indeed as they were lucky enough to watch five time National Canadian amateur boxing champion, and Olympic gold medal hopeful, Mandy Bujold spar with five time world champion and current W.I.B.A and W.B.A. champion Lisa “Bad News” Brown. Both fighters have the pedigree to know the appropriate way to use these type of workout sessions and both enjoyed the experience so much that arrangements are being made to get together shortly in good old Kitchener for some “open to the public” sparring sessions.
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At the post fight press conference for the Brown vs Julaton WBA championship at Casino Rama a few months ago I could not help but notice Olympic hopefuls Bujold ,Colin Fish and Mary Spencer in the crowd. They seemed to be really enjoying the experience. Two thoughts came to mind at the time. Firstly, that Mandy would, given her style, speed, and pedigree, give Lisa some great speed work in preparation for certain opponents we are looking at down the road. Secondly, as I watched Mandy, Colin and Mary beaming and enjoying the show was the thought that THEY NEED TO STAY FOCUSED MENTALLY AS DO THERE RESPECTIVE COACHES.
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We already know that three are world class fighters but one should always keep an ever watchful eye on what I like to call the Andy Minsker effect. For you young whippers here it is in a nutshell: Andy Minsker was one of the great U.S. amateur boxers. Among his achievements were two national golden glove titles, spectacular one round knockouts over the reigning British Commonwealth champion and the National Yugolslavian champ and 344 fights without being knocked down! My memory may be wrong but I believe he only lost in the range of 22 fights. He was a virtual lock for the 1984 U.S. Olympic team despite an eggshell like damaged right hand that left him boxing, in testimony to his ability, often one handed. Unfortunately for Minsker he ran into a young seventeen year old phenom by the name of Meldrick Taylor (Taylor given his age had not been at the level that Minsker had). Minsker beat Taylor at the U.S. qualifiers but a month later at the Olympic box offs he lost to Taylor twice over a weekend. Taylor of course concluded his amateur career with a 99-4 record and a gold medal and went on to a memorable fight with Julio Cesar Chavez. Minsker, who enjoyed some further publicity as a Calvin Klein underwear model, and who was seen on occasion with super model Christie Brinkley, ended up having a brief so so pro career which ended, due to hand injuries, at the age of 29. So here we are Minsker effect people.
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Mandy, Colin and Mary we already know what you are capable of. You are more than able to bring home the hardware as they say. Right now you are big fish (sorry had to get the pun in ) in a little pond so to speak. Let’s throw it right back at the coaches. Coachs lets keep an eye open for any Meldrick Taylor dance partners to the Andy Minskers be they in Canada or abroad. Mandy, courtesy of Coach Rick, we will see you in Kitchener shortly for some “open to the public” sparring sessions with Ms Bad News.
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END NOTES- 1) For anybody wondering what happened to Andy Minsker please get a copy of the documentary “Broken Noses” which is a vivid and wonderful portrait of a man that simply loves boxing and what it meant to his life in general. A must for any boxing fans video collection. Bits and bites of it can be found on youtube.
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Tags:Andy Minsker, Colin Fish, Mandy Bujold, Mary Spencer, Meldrick Taylor, Olympic Boxing Team
Filed Under: News Flash
The fact that you are looking out for us is great, thank you. But I don’t think you have ever met 3 more focused boxers. And 3 boxers who attend a live boxing show is hardly comparable to an unfocused boxer enjoying the limelight and doing underwear modelling. Either way, thanks for looking out!
you know what, I was going to leave it alone but I have to put it out there… Mike I think Mandy Bujold is the Meldrick Taylor you are talking about, not the Andy Minsker. She’s a cute little 22 year old who doesn’t look intimidating. She walks around at 112 soaking wet and when you saw her at Rama you probably thought she looked about 16 and easy meat for your girl…. until the sparring last week. Had to be good or you wouldn’t have posted this little story that’s full of bs and saying things like “Mandy, courtesy of Coach Rick, we will see you in Kitchener shortly for some “open to the public” sparring sessions with Ms Bad News.” Man I hope somebody’s taping it