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kenyan_cheena · 02-11-2005, 05:10 AM

JEANNETTE SAVED FROM "PATH OF DESTRUCTION"
BY PRIEST'S BOXING DARE

Tuesday 22 January 2002

Joe Jeannette is at a neighbourhood gym in his hometown of North Bergen, New Jersey, literally putting his body through hell. The gym is pungent with the odour of sweat, and Jeannette is the centre of attention. He breaks down his abdominals with countless volumes of sit-ups, brings burning to his chest and shoulders by way of repeated pull-ups. He rips into the heavy bag and his concentration and precision on the speed ball is something to see. In the ring sparring, Jeannette loves to mix it up on the inside, where he throws short, powerful shots and shows a dazzling defensive ability, as if seeing his opponent's punches three and four in advance.

It wasn't always like this.

In fact, as little as five months ago, Joe Jeannette's life was heading in an entirely opposite - and potentially tragic - direction.

"I was this close to becoming a drug dealer," says Jeannette, his right hand help up, showing a one centimetre gap between his thumb and index finger. "I was living on the streets. I ran with guys who would put a cap in anyone without a second thought, man. My mother, my brothers and sisters ... I turned them all away with my foolishness. One night, back in July, I had been out with my "friends", and we came across a rival gang, and we just went to town on them. Just merciless, man. You know, I've been using my fists to get what I want for a long time, and I really used them that night. Real bloody. I was walking home and I just found myself outside St. Brigid's. Something made me go inside. Changed my life, man."

Jeannette became acquainted with Father Ciccone, who attempted to be a steadying influence in Joe's life. It wasn't easy.

"At first I was stupid, stubborn," Jeannette remembers. "Didn't wanna listen to anyone."

Come Monday the 3rd of September 2001, and the Heavyweight Boxing Federation's announcement that they will be staging a 128-man World Championship tournament.

"Father Ciccone dared me to audition," laughs Jeannette. "He said, "I dare you to try and do something positive for yourself. I dare you to try and make something of yourself, Joe Jeannette." So I did it."

Jeannette's success in the HBF's auditions was beyond his wildest expectations, with the federation so impressed they made him the #11 seed in the World Championship tournament.

"I couldn't believe it," Jeannette says. "Father told me that it's such a great opportunity, and I knew that. I ain't looked back to the darkness since, and now here I am, just four months later, about to climb in the ring for the first time. I owe it all to Father Ciccone. He saved my life, man."

Jeannette has arranged for his Guardian Angel to be in attendance at ringside tomorrow night in Connecticut when he makes his professional debut against San Francisco's Al Kaufmann.

"He's excited about it," smiles Jeannette. "I hope I can put on a good show for him."

Since qualifying for the HBF's World Championship tournament, Jeannette has made strides towards repairing his relationship with his family.

"I want to make them proud of me," says the 26 year-old. "I brought them so much disappointment in the past. It's time to make up for that."

It won't just be Father Ciccone and his family in Joe Jeannette's corner come tomorrow night. He'll also have all of New Jersey supporting him. We can only wait until tomorrow night to see how this eagerly-awaited debut will turn out...

02-11-2005, 05:10 AM	#66 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 4,178	JEANNETTE SAVED FROM "PATH OF DESTRUCTION" BY PRIEST'S BOXING DARE Tuesday 22 January 2002 Joe Jeannette is at a neighbourhood gym in his hometown of North Bergen, New Jersey, literally putting his body through hell. The gym is pungent with the odour of sweat, and Jeannette is the centre of attention. He breaks down his abdominals with countless volumes of sit-ups, brings burning to his chest and shoulders by way of repeated pull-ups. He rips into the heavy bag and his concentration and precision on the speed ball is something to see. In the ring sparring, Jeannette loves to mix it up on the inside, where he throws short, powerful shots and shows a dazzling defensive ability, as if seeing his opponent's punches three and four in advance. It wasn't always like this. In fact, as little as five months ago, Joe Jeannette's life was heading in an entirely opposite - and potentially tragic - direction. "I was this close to becoming a drug dealer," says Jeannette, his right hand help up, showing a one centimetre gap between his thumb and index finger. "I was living on the streets. I ran with guys who would put a cap in anyone without a second thought, man. My mother, my brothers and sisters ... I turned them all away with my foolishness. One night, back in July, I had been out with my "friends", and we came across a rival gang, and we just went to town on them. Just merciless, man. You know, I've been using my fists to get what I want for a long time, and I really used them that night. Real bloody. I was walking home and I just found myself outside St. Brigid's. Something made me go inside. Changed my life, man." Jeannette became acquainted with Father Ciccone, who attempted to be a steadying influence in Joe's life. It wasn't easy. "At first I was stupid, stubborn," Jeannette remembers. "Didn't wanna listen to anyone." Come Monday the 3rd of September 2001, and the Heavyweight Boxing Federation's announcement that they will be staging a 128-man World Championship tournament. "Father Ciccone dared me to audition," laughs Jeannette. "He said, "I dare you to try and do something positive for yourself. I dare you to try and make something of yourself, Joe Jeannette." So I did it." Jeannette's success in the HBF's auditions was beyond his wildest expectations, with the federation so impressed they made him the #11 seed in the World Championship tournament. "I couldn't believe it," Jeannette says. "Father told me that it's such a great opportunity, and I knew that. I ain't looked back to the darkness since, and now here I am, just four months later, about to climb in the ring for the first time. I owe it all to Father Ciccone. He saved my life, man." Jeannette has arranged for his Guardian Angel to be in attendance at ringside tomorrow night in Connecticut when he makes his professional debut against San Francisco's Al Kaufmann. "He's excited about it," smiles Jeannette. "I hope I can put on a good show for him." Since qualifying for the HBF's World Championship tournament, Jeannette has made strides towards repairing his relationship with his family. "I want to make them proud of me," says the 26 year-old. "I brought them so much disappointment in the past. It's time to make up for that." It won't just be Father Ciccone and his family in Joe Jeannette's corner come tomorrow night. He'll also have all of New Jersey supporting him. We can only wait until tomorrow night to see how this eagerly-awaited debut will turn out... Last edited by kenyan_cheena : 04-29-2005 at 06:09 PM.