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By Ron P. Coderre
It wasn’t necessarily an attempt to complete an item on his bucket list but stepping into the ring was definitely part of completing an urge that John Wilbur III has had since childhood.
On Sept. 29, the 38-year-old Wilbur, sports director at WINY Radio, was the main event of a seven bout card at Muscle Max Gym in Danielson. With his wife Dawn and his father John II in the crowd estimated at approximately 200 fight fans, the 5-foot, 10-inch, 220-pound Wilbur fulfilled an urge he’s had to box competitively since age 10, when he watched Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa battle Apollo Creed on the silver screen.
Going three, two minute rounds against his worthy opponent, 19-year-old, 6-2, 210-pound William “Tex” McNamara of Brooklyn proved to be somewhat more excruciating than what it appears to the naked eye.
“Training for the fight was grueling, but not as much as the six minutes in the ring. Truthfully, I sacrificed myself because I wanted to do it to satisfy my urge,” said Wilbur.
Waking up his dream began with a sports interview on the radio that Wilbur did with promoter Paul Iannuzzi of “Rude Dog Boxing.” Iannuzzi was attempting to raise money for cancer victims, and his interview with Wilbur led the 1992 Bartlett High School graduate to Jack Rattray of Muscle Max Gym, where a training program was developed to prepare for his pugilistic encounter.
“About a year ago I lost 70 pounds when I went on a serious exercise program and modified my eating habits. I’ve been staying in shape but the training for the fight took on a whole new twist about two weeks prior to Saturday,” said Wilbur.
Emulating his screen idol, Rocky, Wilbur under the watchful eye of Rattray got serious on the speed bag, heavy bag, leg strengthening and ducking rope routines. Every night during the final two weeks leading up to the bout Wilbur worked diligently in fine tuning his body. His workouts also included intense sessions with sparring partners. He soon discovered all his sparring “was not even close to the experience I got when I stepped between the ropes for real.”
On the night of the fight Wilbur was the consummate professional, remaining in the locker-room and preparing himself mentally for his upcoming encounter with McNamara. As the bout approached he was more than anxious to get going. I just said to myself let’s “get it on.”
In the first round, which Wilbur admits he thinks went his way; he came out fast and strong. The strategy proved both beneficial in the ultimate decision but more exhausting than he expected. He decided to pace himself in the second round but admits, “Once I started punching I just let it go.” During the final round with both fighters wearing down physically, he moved a lot, protected himself and hung on to his opponent while landing body blows and waiting for the final bell.
“I was totally gassed,” was how Wilbur described the feeling of playing Rocky Balboa for six minutes.
When the fight ended there was big sigh of relief from the Wilbur family. The dream was over; there was only the all important decision waiting in the wings. As Dawn Wilbur, who had supported the mission without fear all along and John Wilbur II relieved it was over, kept their fingers crossed in anticipation.
“My wife was encouraging from the start. She never had any fear. My dad on the other hand, asked me never to do this again, although he was proud,” said Wilbur.
“Personally I wanted desperately to win because I had to go on the air on Monday morning. I wanted to tell the listening audience I won,” said the Connecticut School of Broadcasting graduate.
When the ringside announcer stepped to the center of the ring, the decision was unveiled. “The winner by unanimous decision, taking all three rounds, John Wilbur!”
In a gesture of sportsmanship toward his opponent but with a sense of pride Wilbur on Monday morning spun a disc in memory of the Saturday Night fight. “Another One Bites The Dust” was the tune.