What we do for love

Anybody heard of a boxer called Steve Molitor? I am guessing most non-boxing fans have not thus I will introduce him. Molitor is Canadian and a Junior Featherweight world champion with a record of 32 wins and just the one defeat. He is not a particularly powerful puncher as his 12 knockouts suggest, but he is technically very good and one of these gritty kind of guys, which I appreciate and enjoy watching. He came to my attention as he has fought in England a handful of times and beaten three English guys. He is due to fight another in September - Jason Booth - and I expect him to outclass him also. He seems like a really good bloke whenever I have heard him speak or read stories about him.

There is a twist in the tale however. His older brother Jeremy is currently in prison serving a term for murdering his partner. It is a pretty gruesome story which you can google if you wish. Anyhow, the way in which Steve deals with it is quite noble in my view. He completely accepts what his brother did was disgusting and appalling, but he visits him frequently and voices his love and support for him despite his actions. He has never sought to accept, justify or explain his brother's action, but has stuck by him.

It's an interesting story and one which has made me think a fair bit. I guess that is a form of unconditional love. Virtually everybody else would disown the guy other than family and in many instances, I suspect the family would also. It reminds me a little bit of when I was younger, how my mum used to tell me that if I did anything illegal, she would be the first person to go to the police. I know she would have still loved me, but she would have thrown me to the wolves, and I have no doubt about that. It was a fair incentive not to do anything bad and thankfully I never did get in any serious trouble.

It is a pretty sad and grim story really, but I genuinely admire Steve's stance. It cannot be easy for anybody in that position, and I am not sure how I would feel in the same situation. One thing is for sure, putting it aside and becoming a top class boxer is pretty impressive and he is one who I have a lot of respect for.