By Elliot Worsell
The obsession with accumulation in boxing is so strong that it encompasses rounds, belts, and wealth. There is a prevailing belief that finding comfort in numbers and being surrounded by people signifies strength rather than weakness.
It seems that the greater the number of individuals affirming your strength, the stronger you perceive yourself to be. Likewise, the more individuals observing and emulating you, the more accomplished you feel.
Surely, this idea completely contradicts the essence of true strength and success, wouldn’t you agree? For instance, if a boxer relies on the presence of others to feel powerful, what does that truly reveal about their strength? Furthermore, if the measure of success is solely dependent on the number of people taking advantage of a boxer’s lack of knowledge, what does that imply about the genuine meaning of success?
It is a fact that the success of a boxer has always been associated with the size of their entourage. When they win fights and gain attention, more and more people flock to them, just like cars slowing down at the site of an accident. Likewise, as the number of people surrounding a boxer increases, there is a noticeable decline in the overall knowledge within the vicinity, whether it be in the gym or any other place.
I was reminded of these thoughts recently when I heard a few boxers discussing the importance of having small or even non-existent entourages for their recent success. What made their perspective even more valuable was the fact that they spoke from a place of experience.
Reflecting on his early days in boxing, Frazer Clarke, a British heavyweight, shared his insights on fight week: “During that time, I acquired some valuable lessons on what to do and what to avoid. As you can observe, I don’t surround myself with a large group of people. I prefer to keep my entourage small. I am a low-maintenance individual, not striving to be a superstar or pretend to be one.”
Frazer Clarke (James Chance/Getty Images)
Similarly, the improved performance of Joseph Parker, a heavyweight boxer, has been credited to a simplified strategy by Andy Lee, a former world middleweight champion turned coach.
Lee explained that the current camp he is in is a stark contrast to his previous experiences with other fighters. In those camps, there would typically be around 15 individuals who all had their own opinions and strong personalities. However, in his current camp, it is a completely different dynamic. It consists solely of himself, Joe Parker, and George Lockhart, who serves as Parker’s strength and conditioning coach. Lee mentioned that the rest of the people involved in the camp are just content to be present, assuming they even show up at all.
A coach finds solace in the absence of distractions and values tranquility. In such an atmosphere, there is abundant opportunity for growth without the interference of insincere compliments and empty words from others, which may overshadow a boxer’s true motivation. This setting provides the essential elements a boxer truly requires: gloves, a dream, and a coach.
Boxing is rarely as simple or pure as it may seem. Success often leads to the contamination of a boxer’s gym, as individuals eager to please the boxer start feeding them lies and deception. This can be observed in various aspects of their life, such as business proposals and future plans, where the boxer struggles to differentiate between genuine opportunities and deceitful tactics. These individuals typically offer their services without compensation, seeking only a sense of belonging or ringside tickets in return. Some individuals find this sufficient, as it keeps them coming back and allows them to live vicariously through the boxer’s achievements.
That is why successful boxers’ gyms often have a crowd of people idly observing one man’s training, usually shirtless. During this time, these individuals engage in casual conversations, forming small communities centered around their shared interest in a specific boxer. They patiently await moments when the boxer does something amusing or showcases physical prowess, their role being to either applaud (for physical feats) or burst into laughter (for funny remarks). In this way, they become the storytellers of the boxer’s life, unintentionally becoming voyeurs who witness everything yet comprehend very little about the true essence of what unfolds before them.
Boxing’s tribalism is truly a peculiar phenomenon. It becomes even more peculiar when you witness a flock of geese accompanying a boxer to a press conference, occupying all the seats assigned to the press. They appear to be mesmerized, hanging onto the boxer’s every word as if hoping to discover the essence of life within them – whether it be their own purpose or something more universal. These geese are devout followers in every sense, donning attire adorned with the boxer’s name or logo, considering it their uniform and evidence of their belongingness.
Lee reminisced about his time in Detroit, when he fought on a Sergio Martinez undercard. He recalled how Martinez’s entourage would always don matching tracksuits, adorned with the words ‘Team Maravilla’ on the back. Lee found this display intriguing, as it exuded a certain power. It wasn’t meant to intimidate, but rather to send a message to their opponents.
“There’s good and bad to having an entourage, I suppose. If it’s done right, it can be powerful. When Joe fights, his entourage will arrive – his brother, his cousins, his friends, David Higgins (Parker’s manager) – and there will probably be 15 people with him all wearing the same tracksuits. So, when we go to the press conference, all the opponent is seeing is Joseph Parker tracksuits everywhere. When we then go to the weigh-in, we’re all together in uniform. There’s strength in those numbers and Joe probably feels insulated. There’s a sense of protection for him in terms of there being a barrier between him and journalists or the public or other fighters. The opponent feels it, too. They think, Look how many people he’s got here. It does mean something and there is strength in it. But it has to be done right and it very easily goes wrong.”
Andy Lee (James Chance/Getty Images)
During my coverage of the welterweight title fight between Terence Crawford and Errol Spence in Las Vegas last year, I witnessed a chaotic scene at the pre-fight press conference. The press section was overwhelmed and controlled mainly by the entourages of both fighters. Consequently, some members of the press had nowhere to sit, and to make matters worse, the focus shifted towards the entourages rather than the boxers on stage.
“You’ve got to calm down, brother,” Crawford said, addressing Spence’s cousin, who had thought it wise to start heckling him from press row. “Listen, man. Things can get sticky real quick and then everybody will be saying this is what we do every time we come out. Just like you’re talking, it can turn deadly real quick – on both sides. Why not support your fighter and let’s come together and make this event a success instead of everybody saying that when we come together this is what happens? That’s what I want.”
Getty Images features Errol Spence and Terence Crawford.
Naturally, this interaction made everyone uneasy. We were thankful for the metal detectors we had gone through earlier when we entered the T-Mobile Arena. It also highlighted boxing’s desperate need for attention and how, even at a press conference, anyone can tell a story to amplify the drama and create a viral moment for those recording everything on their cameras or phones. In this regard, one could argue that the role of a sycophant has never been more crucial and potentially profitable than it is today. Thanks to social media, there is now a possibility for these attention-seekers to gain fame by following a boxer. If you have any doubts, just take a look around. It’s happening everywhere. If you stick with it long enough, you might even find yourself with a job.
However, despite its perceived benefits, the relationship between a boxer and their entourage is predominantly one-sided and transactional. This dynamic is fundamentally flawed, as it is built upon a one-way interest between two individuals that appears strange when viewed from a different perspective. For instance, imagine a scenario where a boxer regularly visits a man’s workplace to simply observe him working without any real purpose. In such a case, the boxer’s behavior would be considered unstable and perhaps even unsettling. Yet, if we transfer this scenario to a boxing gym, suddenly this behavior becomes acceptable and normal. However, when the boxer eventually retires, they are confronted with a significant void and a shared realization. They come to recognize that the people around them, for the most part, only cared about them as a boxer and the success they brought to others. Retirement then triggers an identity crisis, as they grapple with the fact that not everyone in the real world is followed by a team of individuals displaying an unnaturally high level of interest in their every move.
Meanwhile, the hanger-on experiences a sudden and harsh realization. Now that the boxer has retired, it becomes clear to them that the boxer had very little knowledge or concern for their existence. The fighter’s image will always overshadow the observer’s life.
“I’ve always preferred to keep my team small,” shared Michael Conlan. “I have a limited circle of close friends by my side. In the world of boxing, I often notice numerous people who just hang around for personal gain. Take someone like (Anthony) Joshua, for example. I believe he surrounds himself with too many hangers-on and too many voices. Personally, I’m not fond of Ben Davison (Joshua’s coach), but as a coach, I acknowledge his remarkable work with Joshua and expect him to continue excelling. It seems like Joshua trusts him as a single guiding voice, which is a positive aspect.”
In 2017, Conlan, a highly talented amateur boxer from Ireland, made the transition to becoming a professional. He was accompanied to the ring inside Madison Square Garden by none other than Conor McGregor, which led many to believe that he would be constantly surrounded by attention and fanfare. However, Conlan chose a different path altogether. Instead of seeking comfort and familiarity, he intentionally distanced himself from his home and adopted a nomadic lifestyle throughout his career. For extended periods, he would reside wherever his gym happened to be, whether it was in Coulsdon, Croydon, or even Miami, Florida. Regardless of the location, Conlan surrounded himself solely with individuals who shared his mindset or physical appearance.
“I prioritize my brother’s perspective in life, as we share a unique bond (Jamie Conlan also manages Michael),” he explained. “When it comes to sparring, I exclusively share the footage with my brother. His opinion holds great importance to me. I prefer straightforward and honest interactions. If you treat me with sincerity, I will reciprocate. Even if you are not genuine with me, I won’t hesitate to express my discontent. Similarly, if I appreciate someone, they will be aware of it, and if I don’t, they will also be aware. Pretending to be someone I’m not is something I struggle with.”
The individuals surrounding boxers lack knowledge and understanding. Many of them are merely enthusiastic fans, including the coaches. Some coaches simply praise their fighters without properly identifying and addressing the areas that need improvement. And if they do notice these areas, they are afraid to bring it up.
Getty Images captured Michael Conlan as he made his way towards the boxing ring.
Andy Lee agreed, stating that the head coach must take charge and make all decisions regarding the team. This ensures smooth operations and allows the fighter to focus solely on their training and weight management. In Joe’s case, he delegates everything to me, and I handle it accordingly. However, having multiple individuals in the entourage who are not aligned and engaged in activities that clash with boxing can be detrimental.
I have experienced situations where certain camps become overcrowded with individuals who all have their own opinions. When the coach lacks a strong personality or fails to stay on top of things, these voices can escalate and significantly distract a fighter.
Lee himself, while a popular fighter who made friends wherever he went, was never inclined to have much of an entourage during his own career. “All service is self-service,” he said. “I used to always think that when someone did something for me.” Equally, Lee was able to see how others fell for the lure of being surrounded by a chorus line content to continuously hum their favourite song. “Whatever insecurities you have, if someone’s making you feel good about yourself, you’ll take it. If the coach is saying you’re looking like shit in the gym, you might look for the words of someone else to restore your confidence. That stuff is very common for a coach to say, by the way. Sometimes you might need to hear it. But if there’s also someone saying, ‘Man, you’re looking great,’ who are you going to listen to? You already feel insecure and bad about yourself.”
Now speaking from a place of experience and reflecting on their past, Lee and Conlan, two individuals who gained wisdom and humility through their first love, share their insights with the added perspective of time and hindsight.
When it comes to younger fighters like Xander Zayas, a highly anticipated Puerto Rican prospect, cautionary tales may seem like mere urban legends. This is likely why Conlan insisted that I include the 21-year-old boxer in our discussion about entourages upon learning that I was going to interview Zayas about his upcoming fight.
“He was part of the Top Rank days when I was around him, and he’s a great kid,” he expressed. “Top Rank is investing heavily in his development, perhaps even pushing him too quickly. He’s still quite young and has plenty of time ahead. However, they aspire for him to become the next Miguel Cotto, but in my view, without the necessary substance to back it up.”
Knowing what is real and what is not in terms of the hype becomes crucial when you possess the support of an entire nation. It requires aligning the substance with the level of excitement.
I believe he may be somewhat unaware of the dangers associated with having an entourage, but it would be beneficial for you to bring up the topic and make him realize the importance of being cautious. You are the only one who raises such concerns and most people overlook the potential consequences of having an entourage. Boxers often remain oblivious to the negative impact until it is too late. It is crucial to address issues like this and ask these types of questions because the boxing industry is filled with deceitful individuals solely focused on their own gain.
In Corpus Christi, Texas, on September 15, 2023, Xander Zayas fiercely engages in combat with Roberto Valenzuela Jr. at the American Bank Center (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images).
On Thursday, I approached Xander Zayas and inquired about his methods for managing the hype and external influences. Additionally, I inquired about his strategies for restricting the number of individuals granted proximity to him.
Zayas stated that during his camp period, his inner circle is well aware that there will be no outings, movie nights, dining out, or any other activities. His focus is solely on his training, thus he will be going back and forth only between the gym and his residence.
Furthermore, I consistently surround myself with familiar faces, as you’ll never catch me in the company of someone new. Introducing fresh individuals into my social circle is not something I particularly enjoy. In fact, there have been occasions when my friends planned to go out, but I opted to stay home instead. It’s not that I’m anti-social per se, but I simply dislike the notion of outsiders infiltrating my close-knit group.
Zayas, a super-welterweight with an impressive record of 18-0 (12), displays remarkable eloquence and maturity when discussing various topics. However, it is important to acknowledge that his confident demeanor is partly influenced by his lack of experience and ignorance rather than just maturity alone. Similar to many aspects of life, such as love or loss, effectively managing fame is not a skill that can be fully anticipated or prepared for. Xander Zayas, being a boxer, will only truly comprehend the consequences and significance of fame when he finds himself advising another 21-year-old about the perils of trusting too many people.
“I don’t anticipate any difficulty,” he responded when I inquired on behalf of Conlan about his awareness of the upcoming situation. “I’ll simply decline.”
