From boxer to trainer, Raul Frank teams up with son, Joshua, to reignite the sport locally

Mar 14, 2021 Sports

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Kaieteur News – Boxing buffs of the late 70s/early 80s would undoubtedly remember the name Raul Frank, a mean punching machine from Durban Street, Lodge Housing Scheme, who went on to carve his name into the annuls of international boxing history.
Raul, emanated from an era of competitive boxing among top Guyanese pugilists and as an amateur boxer, he’s tangled with the best, representing Guyana and winning numerous local and international titles.
Following an impressive amateur tenure, Raul ‘stripped his shirt’ in March 1987, and defeated his compatriot, Conrade Hunte. As a fledgling professional fighter, Raul chalked up several other victories against top local fighters the likes of Jeff Roberts, Barrington Cambridge, Marcelle Daniels, Nedrick Simmons and Fitzroy Davidson among others. During the early stages of his illustrious career, Raul also tackled Spanish fighters, Puerto Rican, Rafael Solis and Venezuelan, Eduardo Iriarte, clinching a points decision from the latter fighter, while stopping the former.
After migrating to the United States of America, Raul, engaged in many battles, most notably, two epic encounters with Vernon Forrest for the World International Boxing Federation (IBF) Featherweight title. The first encounter in August 2000 ended in a stalemate forcing a rematch 9 months later, which Frank lost unanimously. Raul has since hung up his gloves on a successful note after notching up a points decision over local fighter, Denny Dalton, in November 2010 and now tutors young fighters in the art of the fistic sport.
History is replete with boxing stars who would have passed on the baton to their offspring and one would have surmised this to be the story in Raul’s case. On the contrary his son, 27 years old, Joshua, has chosen an unconventional path; he is an aspiring lawyer, currently a second-year law student at Berkeley Law School, California. Earlier, he was a Fulbright scholar in Malaysia, South East Asia and graduated from the Trinity College in Connecticut. Kaieteur Sport spoke with both Franks but specifically, Joshua, who regards his affiliation to Guyana as umbilical in nature.
“My dad was a competent pugilist and won many titles including the United States Boxing Association (USBA), the Latino International title and was a two-time contender for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Welterweight Championship,” he said. Joshua also pointed out that many of his uncles had campaigned in various divisions and at different levels. He was referring to his father’s siblings, Rory, Ronson and Stephen. Further, his grandfather, the late, Richard was a trainer and an ardent cheerleader for his sons.
Joshua recounted his childhood days when he would take note of his father’s activities in the ‘square jungle.’ “My dad was a regular feature on Don King and Roy Jones’ Boxing Promotion and I vividly remember him being interviewed by the great George Foreman,” reminisces Joshua. He also recited the pride he experienced when boxing legend, Floyd Mayweather, occupied front a row seat in one of his dad’s fights for the IBF Welterweight Championship in Las Vegas. “Being a part of these experiences were helpful to me as I employed similar concepts in my legal studies,” admitted Joshua. He outlined some of them as negotiations skills and understanding complex contract terms and offers among others. “Even though I was merely a tot, many of these memories remain etched in my mind,” he said. Joshua recited that he grew up in Brooklyn and it was during those formative years that nurtured thoughts of development in the black and immigrant communities. “Getting involved in the legal field provided the opportunity for me,” he said.
Expounding on his initial experiences, Joshua said, “Law school was a big transition for me as a first-generation student. It took some time to adjust to the different learning processes but I was able to adapt, thanks to the collaborative environment at Berkeley where students are more inclined to work together.”
The younger Frank further stated, “I really loved that about the Berkeley Law community. I chose this college for the opportunities it presented to engage in real-world work outside of the classroom from as early as the first year,” he explained. He said that contrary to popular belief, the legal fraternity is not necessarily high priced and inflexible. He expounded on pro bono services; “From as early as the first year of studies I learned about ‘Start Small’ through the Pro Bono Programme. It is an organization that provides legal, financial, and marketing advice to entrepreneurs.”
But what is the connection between Joshua’s activities and his dad’s former career? “My dad is now retired from professional fighting and trains clients at Gleason’s Gym. Through such activities he molds the minds of youngsters with the emphasis on self-confidence,” explained Joshua. He also said that his dad’s input helps children to build self-confidence and adults to live healthy lifestyles, in total cohesion with (Joshua’s) agenda.
Indeed, Gleason’s, situated in front Street, Brooklyn, is one of the oldest boxing gyms in the USA and is historically referred to as “The Home of Boxing.” Several world-renowned fighters have practiced their trade at this institution including “Iron” Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Saoul Mamby, Aaron Pryor and many other pugilists. The programmes and objectives knit with those nestling in Joshua’s breast.
“Renowned movie star of ‘Million Dollar Baby’ fame, Hillary Swank, actually utilized this facility for scenes in her movie and I actually have photos of my dad sparring with her during training for the movie,” the younger Frank intimated. My dad currently oversees the office of his former trainer, the late Bob Jackson, who also trained with the late, CusA’Mato, Mike Tyson’s former trainer.
“My dad’s ambition is to broaden his skills and knowledge as a trainer even as he aspires to own a gym,” explained Joshua.
Consequently, the younger Frank plans to promote boxing around the world but intimated that his primary objective is to return to his home country, Guyana, in the very near future.
Already, he has commenced works with this goal in mind and explained that he has collaborated with his dad to form an LLC, build a website, increase his social media presence, and get a contract that limits his liability for training people in NYC. He emphasized that one must pay careful attention to the legal ramifications.
“Proskauer Rose and Fried Frank helped us accomplish this. One of the videos we created with the guidance of Small’s social media team has generated large viewership, totaling some twenty-two thousand views,” he said. Joshua also intimated that student interns from the City University of New York (CUNY) also helped his team to significantly increase its social media presence.
“The skills that I acquired in law school enabled me to communicate with peers and review contracts in a way that wasn’t possible for my family before. It’s indeed beneficial to be able to employ my legal skills in a way that can literally change somebody’s life, especially when that somebody is your own father,” he concluded.

 

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