Boy Keeps Coming Back from Boxing Training in Tears until His Dad Bursts into Gym – Story of the Day

Connor’s wife, Melissa, worried their son always returned from boxing training in tears. He told her he needed to toughen up until she captured a video that made him storm into the gym and challenge the coach to the ring.

“I don’t think it’s normal, babe,” Melissa said, shaking her head as she cleaned their dinner dishes that night. Their son, Tony, was already in his room, doing his homework. Melissa needed to get her husband to understand the situation.

“It’s normal, Mel,” Connor countered, drying the washed dishes. “Boxing is a hard sport. It makes you cry, sweat, and bleed every day.”

“I know it’s tough, but he only cries alone in his room, hiding it from me. When I pick him up, he pretends everything is fine,” Melissa insisted. “I think there’s something more going on.”

Connor sighed, stacking the pile of dried dishes on the counter. “I don’t think so. I bet he doesn’t want to show his mommy any weakness. That’s how I was. I acted tough in front of my parents so they’d be proud of me.”

“I don’t know,” she continued, feeling helpless. “I feel it in my gut. There’s something more. Maybe he should change to another sport.”

Connor looked at her thoughtfully. He knew his wife wouldn’t say these things lightly, and he understood that womanly and motherly instincts were much better than his perception. “How about this? You should go watch his practice tomorrow,” he whispered, looking back to see if Tony was near them.

“I can’t,” Melissa shook her head. “Tony doesn’t want me nearby.”

“Hide,” Conner shrugged. “Pretend to leave. Go in. Check things out. I would do it myself, but I have a bunch of meetings tomorrow. I don’t think I’ll be home for dinner.”

“Alright. That’s a good idea,” she nodded, smiling slightly.

“Good,” he said, kissing the top of her head.

Connor nodded as his boss finished stating something they should keep in mind to meet with a client. Suddenly, his phone pinged, and it was Melissa. She sent nothing but a video, and he clicked his tongue. He didn’t have much time, but he could see it was about Tony at the gym.

“Give me a sec, Mr. Calgary,” he said, pressing play. He knew instantly that his wife’s instincts had been correct. The reason why Tony had been crying after day after his boxing practice was right there… on film.

His coach, a fat man named Reuben, was yelling at him. Conner’s mouth turned down angrily because it wasn’t any kind of normal screaming from a coach that just wanted you to do better. He’d met many men like that, who were inspiring even when they were mad at you.

Connor boxed in his youth, which was why Tony decided to practice, too. His knee was ruined during college, and his chances at the pros went out of the window. His long-time coach and mentor, Alexis, cried with him after years of pushing him to get better.

But the man teaching Connor’s son was not inspiring. He was nothing but a bully, calling Tony every degrading and horrible nickname typical of men who stayed in the past. Connor’s blood boiled, and he turned to Mr. Calgary.

“I have to cancel the meeting, sir,” he said, and the look on his face made Mr. Calgary’s eyebrow rise.

“Someone needs to be taught a lesson,” Connor said, grabbed his jacket, and walked briskly to his car.

The force of Connor’s kick on the gym’s metal door made everyone turn their heads. “Hey! What the hell do you think you’re doing?” someone yelled, but he paid that person no mind.

“Where’s Coach Reuben?!” Connor roared.

The burly man coach stepped out for the crowd. “I’m here. Who are you?”

“You and me. The Ring. NOW!” he bellowed, removing his shoes and lifting his shirt cuffs.

“Excuse me?” Coach Reuben said, seemingly confused, but Connor immediately detected a hint of unease.

“You heard me, pansy. Let’s get on the ring, now, unless you’re a girl,” Connor mocked. He was only repeating some of the things he heard the man tell his son.

Coach Reuben’s face turned red. “I… I…” he stuttered. “I can’t.”

“Really?” Connor continued, standing now in the middle of the ring. The whole gym was alert to this encounter.

“You either come here and fight me ‘like a real man,'” Connor used air quotes, “or I show the world how you like to make fun of the kids you teach.”

Coach Reuben seemed to realize what was happening and stammered, trying to explain his teaching method. But Connor had no patience for the coward.

“See? All bullies are chickens under all that swagger,” he called out loudly so everyone could hear him. “This man likes to make fun of little kids because it makes him feel big. But never again, you hear me, Reuben?”

Connor grabbed his phone and uploaded the video to a Facebook group in their local area. He knew the moms in there would spread it far and wide. After, he fixed his shirt and came down from the ring, getting right on Coach Reuben’s face.

“You will never get another coaching job in this town,” he seethed right on the bully’s face and walked out.

Melissa and Tony were home when Connor arrived, and he had good news for his son. “Tony, I found you a new coach. Someone much better!”

Tony smiled eagerly, and Melissa beamed. And when he and his wife went to bed that night, Connor said, “I will never question your instincts again.”

Tell us what you think about this story, and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.

If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a boy who came home from school crying every day until his father showed up in his classroom.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life. If you would like to share your story, please send it to info@amomama.com.