When Only Tears Remain: Tony Ayala Jr. is Free and Back in the Gym
By Robert Brizel, Head RCM Boxing Correspondent
On April 10, 2014, Tony Ayala Sr. passed away from diabetes. On April 16, 2014, Tony Ayala Jr. was allowed to attend the funeral of his father, noted boxing trainer Tony Ayala Sr. After nine further days of incarceration after serving ten years for violation of the terms of his probation, Ayala was released on April 25, 2014, from the lower level Sander Estes Unit private prison owned by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, where he worked as a janitor.
Seeing Tony Ayala Jr. crying by the coffin of his father, it was clear by that point only tears remained for Tony Ayala Jr. Any hope Tony had of a world boxing championship or a family and life of his own was lost long ago-to the demons of drugs and violence and worse.
With his father gone, Tony and his boxing brothers, Sammy, Paulie and Mike, were left their father’s Zarzamora Street Gym, and the responsibility of running it and training the young boxing hopefuls of San Antonio. In a world of last chances after last chances, perhaps Tony Ayala Jr. still has a chance. As a fighter again, perhaps, given his talent and reputation, however long ago. As a human being, and mentor to the new generation of young punks who have problems with the law, and come to the gym to get off the streets, Tony Ayala Jr. would make a great mentor. He knows the pitfalls and traps of life too well.
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