Maqonda Ndlovu
Undefeated former World Boxing Organisation (WBO) middleweight champion Harry Simon senior has taken over the reins as coach and trainer of his son, Harry Simon junior, with immediate effect.
This was confirmed by both the father and son to New Era Sport recently.
“I made him head trainer, as I wanted to spice things up and learn more from the champion because if I am to fight on a world-class level, I will need to know everything he did because he has been there, and he has won countless times. That is the knowledge I want,” Simon junior said. Simon junior said he will, however, still be working with Jose Kambinda, a young and talented coach.
“Coach K and I make a strong team together. He is very active and determined,” Simon junior said.
When quizzed about whether the changes were influenced by his defeat in Zimbabwe recently, Simon junior said it played a big role in the changes.
“My dad wants to take things into my hands. I will not just box the guys anymore but knock them out as he did during his days. I do not want to leave the fight in the judge’s hands anymore. Besides, having my dad as my coach is something I’ve wanted for a very long time, and I’m very happy to have him around me,” he said.
Simon has already started training under his dad, and he says it is very different from what he has experienced with his former coaches.
“We are at the beginning stages, and it is not easy. This kind of training is what I have been waiting for. You will see me at my best at my next performance. I will be faster and stronger than ever because I am doing the right things now. The Prince is finally learning from the King,” he gloated.
On his part, Simon senior said he is happy to train his son, as he believes he will learn a lot from him.
“I initially allowed him to train with other trainers so he could learn as much as possible. I always advised him because he would call me and ask for advice. He likes learning. There was never beef between me and him,” Simon senior said.
When asked how he feels about training his son, The Terminator, as Simon senior is known, said he avoids comparing himself to his son.
“He is a different man. He still has a long way to go in this sport. At training, we work on a lot of things: head movement, foot movement, choices of punches and angles,” he said.
When asked how he differentiates the roles of being a father and coach to his son, Simon senior said the two of them understand they have to do what they are supposed to do.
“If I ask him to do certain things as a boxer, he has to do them to perfection – even if he doesn’t like it. When I get home, I have to become a father and he becomes a son,” Simon senior explained.