An Incredible Return to Boxing

In December of 1993, former World Boxing Champion John Famechon, who had sustained severe incapacitating brain injuries in August 1991, began a new, complex multi-movement therapy and rehabilitation program, which eventually helped him regain a condition close to his pre-accident state.

By March 1994, John was walking independently, talking, running, and successfully bouncing and jumping on a mini-trampoline. This activity involves intricate skill acquisition due to the need for dynamic balance, precise motor control, and rapid neuromuscular coordination. The trampoline's unstable surface requires constant holistic adjustments to maintain equilibrium, engaging the arms, legs, core, and stabilising muscles (Burley & McClymont, 1999; Hinds Jr., 1974; Marsollier & Hauw, 2024; Ste-Marie, Vertes, Rymal, & Martini, 2011).

In addition to all this, John was now riding a stationary exercise bike, pedalling forwards and backwards as directed or as he chose. My thoughts now turned to exploring another brain and body complexity: whether John could ride his bike while simultaneously engaging in boxing.

I explained to John what we were aiming to do. John listened, smiled, and said, “I know how to ride; you don’t have to tell me.”

“As always, John, you pummel me into a corner, and there is no way out.”

“I know. And I also know how to walk and ride a bike, and I think” (John then paused, grinning widely and said, with his eyes sparkling), “I also know a little something about boxing.”

“John, of course, you have no argument with me about that; all of that, of course, is true; however, just like everything else we’ve done, this biking and boxing idea and action will add to what you have already achieved.”

“I know what I’ve achieved; you don’t have to tell me,” said John with a big warm smile.

“Yes, I know, that’s true, but this will hopefully improve your walking, talking, and memory.”

“What do you mean, hopefully? Don’t you know what you are doing?” said John with uncontained joyfulness.

I was floundering; I couldn’t keep up. John had me on the ropes, which was great. I then began to stutter a response, “Er, umm …”

“What do you mean? “er um” You’re starting to sound like me, er um, er um, er ummmmm.” John began to laugh.

I then began to laugh out loud. John was now smiling. I continued to laugh, and then I tried to continue, “Er, um, no, no, I mean, what I am trying to say is that you’ve improved in your walking and talking, and this next boxing and biking stage may also help to further improve your memory.”

Without hesitation, John replied with a huge smile: “I know how to walk, I know how to ride a bike, I know how to talk, I’m talking with you right now, and I don’t want to remember you.”

All I could do was laugh. I had been pummelled from pillar to post, and I was now staggering and floundering in this delightful complex onslaught of communication insights. While this was taking place, John continued to smile and enjoy what he had achieved (that of my total confusion). As I recovered, I perceptively said, "You know John, I know what you are doing?”

“What’s that?”

“You’ve got me going around and around in circles here. I’m confused, and you know what?”

“What?”

You’ve created this very clever John Famechon delaying tactic, and you have also added to my total mental confusion to the point that we are not doing anything now. By that, I mean no one is exercising!!”

“It took you long enough,” said John, smiling.

This was such a captivating and insightful response that I laughed out loud again. While I was laughing, John said, “I don’t know what you’re waiting for, but I’m ready to go, so what are you doing laughing and lolling [lazing] about and not doing anything?”

This retort by John made me laugh even more.

“I’m still waiting, you’re still laughing, and you’re still not doing anything!”

While still laughing, I said: “You’re right, John …

“I know I am, and you don’t have to keep repeating yourself.”

“Okay, okay, okay …”

“There you go, you’re repeating yourself again; what’s going on? Maybe you’re not well?”

“John…”

“That’s my name; I know my name.”

“We are still talking and not working,” I responded with a knowing look and a nod of my head.

John replied instantly: “When will you wake up and do the work?”

“John, you’ve knocked me out!”

“Good, now let’s get on with it.”

I took a deep breath and said, “We’ll have you ride the bike and pedal forward. Then, I will ask you to let go of the handlebars and see if you can balance why you are pedalling. If this is successful, we will start the boxing part of this program. I will be in front of you, and I will begin to throw punches at you slowly, and you will defend.”

“Is that all?”

“That’s it.”

“I thought this was going to be complex like you said it would.”

“Well, I thought it was going to be complex.”

“Looks like you’re wrong again.”

Another brilliant knockout blow from The Champ.

And so, the boxing and biking program began. The Champ was back! I asked John to get on the bike and start pedalling. I then asked John to let go of the handlebars, sit upright, and continue to pedal forward, which John then did. John was now pedalling seated on the bike. His arms were by his side. John was balanced, and his pedalling was seamless. With this being achieved, I walked to the front of the bike and placed myself in front of John. As soon as I did this, John let go of a right hook. Before I could react, the punch whizzed past my face. I was totally caught by surprise. I looked at John in surprised silence. John was smiling. I recovered from my surprise and said: “Wow, John, that was close.” To this, John immediately replied: “I know; it was meant to be close.”

“Well, John, it looks like you’re ready.”

“I’m always ready, and you’re always dawdling,” said John with a sparkle in his eyes.

“There you go again, John. Here we are talking and not working; you’re doing it again.”

“What would that be?” said John cheekily.

“You know exactly what you’re doing; you’ve got me running around in mental circles again, and all the while, you’re there watching and enjoying the entertainment you’ve created.”

“John…”

“That’s me!”

“It’s time to work!”

“of course it is; I’m just waiting for you to start!”

All I could do was laugh. John was still pedalling and smiling.

I knew that if I said anything else, John's wonderful, insightful circle of directed confusion would start again. I looked at John in silence. I then lifted both arms into a fighting stance; John lifted his arms. I began by slowly throwing a left hook to John’s head. This punch was immediately blocked. It was immediately blocked. John’s demeanour was intense and had total focus. It was a surreal moment for me: I was sparring with John Famechon, the former Featherweight Champion of the World. John was poetry in motion. The Champ was back!