Only then, beyond these machines, can you see the rings for sparring, where the fighters in their headguards and protective jockstraps dodge and punch. And in the gym beyond, exercise machines move rhythmically to the pumping bass of pop blaring from speakers. Inside the bright foyer, Sky News plays on a television set high in the corner. A sandwich bar, free of smoke, advertises its prices under the slogan "The cost of healthy living". Clutch repair centres and metal merchants cower beneath the four-lane highway.
It's the kind of place where forklift trucks parked on street corners don't seem out of place.But there the expected image ends. Set in one of the unlovelier parts of Canning Town in the East End of London, it nestles in the shadow of a flyover on an industrial estate of warehouses and small factories. It is a constant reminder, if any were needed, that their game is a dangerous one.At first sight, the Peacock gym appears designed to exacerbate the worst fears of the anti-boxing lobby. Each day as they enter the gym they walk past a recently erected memorial to Stone, a statue with his gloves high and proud and bearing the legend that he died, like James Murray, "in pursuit of his dreams". Some of them fought on that night in April and a few even traded blows on the same bill as their friend.
To be a boxing writer is to attempt to present the most primal of sporting endeavours verbally; the thrill of achieving it is an addiction few would quickly give up.But why do the boxers themselves do it? What's in it for the young men whose brains and faces are placed in mortal danger - not in unfortunate, unlikely or unlucky circumstances, but every time they step into the ring to pursue their sport?Ask the young boxers at the Peacock gym why, and their answer is repeated like a mantra: "I ask myself, if I wasn't doing this, what else would I be doing?" They answer their own question with the same blank response: "Nothing." They know that their opportunities outside their chosen profession are bleak.These are the young men who were closest to Bradley Stone, another young boxer who died last year of brain damage sustained in the ring. You can understand why he is so energetic in support of his sport: he is presently engaged in arranging a fight between his charge Frank Bruno and Mike Tyson that will make the pair of them rich beyond the dreams of National Lottery players.You can understand, too, why the boxing writers, while condemning the peripheries - the medical men, the delay in getting proper attention to stricken fighters, the way in which boxers dehydrate themselves in order not to exceed the required weight - step back from condemnation of the basics. Even after Saturday's brutal exhibition in Glasgow, which followed the death of Bradley Stone last year, the paralysing of Michael Watson in 1991 and the mauling of Gerald McClellan in February this year, not one person involved in the sport has publicly stated that they have had enough of seeing one man trying to knock another senseless with his fists. Our leading boxing promoter, Frank Warren, was quick to defend the game, anxious to engage in the public relations battle. Boxers themselves saying that they will carry on with their work: "It's what Jim would have wanted." Since 1986, 11 British boxers have required brain surgery after bouts; three have died. The asking price is believed to be pounds 3m.Wetherall's progress, page 27. The reactions to the death of the Scottish boxer James Murray have been familiar, even predictable.
Boxing promoters explaining that Rugby Union is a more dangerous pastime than their own sport. Boxing writers appalled that the fighting in the audience prevented the fighter in the ring from receiving medical treatment which might have saved his life. The club are hoping Juninho's work permit comes through next week, allowing him to make his debut against his manager Bryan Robson's old club, Manchester United, at Old Trafford on Saturday week.Supporters eager to watch Juninho continued to queue in their hundreds yesterday, trying to snap up the last of the 21,500 season tickets for the stadium which has a 30,000 capacity.Manchester City have taken the 24-year-old Celtic defender, Mark McNally, on trial while, at another struggling club, Steve Wicks has been sacked at Lincoln City - after only 41 days in charge - to make way for John Beck to take over as the manager at Sincil Bank.David Kohler, the Luton chairman and managing director, has put the First Division club up for sale. In a message to the Middlesbrough fans, he said: "I cannot wait to start playing. I'll do my best and hopefully help the team to win the Premiership."The Brazilian international then climbed into a club Jaguar and was driven to Middlesbrough to undergo a medical. Has someone stolen the Crown Jewels?"Juninho touched down in Teesside at 11am yesterday, having flown by private jet from Heathrow accompanied by his father.
It was a welcome that not even this 22-year-old could have expected. Obviously enjoying the excitement his signing has generated, the beaming Juninho asked: "What's all the fuss about. Football After a 14-hour three-legged trip from Sao Paulo, Juninho eventually landed at Teesside airport yesterday to be greeted by supporters decked out in Brazilian shirts and waving banners written in his native Portuguese. If they keep putting in 100 per cent they've got nothing to fear from me.". I'll write down the team I think we should play, Mike will put down what he thinks and there'll probably be an odd position we'll argue over."While Illingworth continues to insists this will be his only winter in charge, he added: "Although my contract ends after the World Cup, I would like to do another summer if things go all right and people are happy with me."I wasn't unhappy with our 2-2 draw against West Indies but I will be very disappointed if we don't win the Test series in South Africa."The players have backed me and the captain over the last six months by putting in some hard work. But I have overall say this winter and there won't be a tour selection committee, as has been the case in the past."Illingworth's working relationship with captain Mike Atherton has not always been ideal during its 18 months of operation, but the 63-year-old Yorkshireman suggested there would be no change in his attitude."I'll be picking the teams and chatting to Athers from time to time", he said.But, Illingworth added, there was mutual respect between him and his captain "I'm prepared to take Mike's thoughts on board He's good He makes a lot of sensible comments We'll work together. Maybe I've given way on selection matters once or twice when I shouldn't have done.