A young man made a very unwise move and decided to bully a rather plain looking 54 year old minding his own business.
But this wasn't an ordinary 54 year old.
Unbeknownst, perhaps, to the young bully, it was former WBA Featherweight Champion Rocky Lockridge (44-9, 36 KO).
The same Rocky Lockridge who knocked out a then-undefeated Roger Mayweather in just 98 seconds in 1984.
The same fella who lost a somewhat arguable majority decision to a young Julio Cesar Chavez in 1986.
And it's the same pugilist who often fought on national TV in the U.S. during the 1980s.
Lockridge, a native of Tacoma, WA, is one of four world champions from that city. The others are Freddie Steele, Leo Randolph, and Johnny Bumphus.
Having last fought in 1992, Rocky turned pro in 1978 and faced notable pugilists such as Wilfredo Gomez, Tony 'The Tiger' Lopez, Roger Mayweather, Sharmba Mitchell, Rafael Ruelas and, of course, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr.
Sadly, in the years following his retirement in the early 1990s, Lockridge was saddled with drug problems. He eventually went unemployed and homeless, and suffered a stroke that forced him to walk with a cane.
The story of ex-champ's battle with drug addiction was profiled on an April 5, 2010 episode of Intervention, an American television reality show that focused on getting addicts to admit their problem and seek treatment. As part of the show, the addicts are given the opportunity to enter a 3-month, all-expense-paid rehab center.
Rocky Lockridge, right, graces the cover of RING Magazine (June 1984) with trainer Lou Duva (center) and standout fighter Johnny Bumphus.
It's believed Lockridge has been drug free and sober for the past several years, and what transpires in the video might be sobering for youths who think they can bully old boxing champs.
In the video...
Those around him warned the antagonist not to approach the former champ who was seemingly minding his own business. Perhaps concerned for the bully's safety, an onlooker yelled, "Don't go down there, don't go down there."
But he proceeded anyway, talking smack in the process. He got in the old boxing champ's personal space.... and paid a price for his decision.
Note: The identity of the man referred to as 'Champ' in the video is speculative and has not been confirmed.
Bulllying/Harassment: Obviously, not everyone has the skills of a former boxing champ and, more often than not, there are better ways to deal with a bully or someone who confronts you physically.
Moreover, bullying isn't limited to physical aggression and children, and should never be taken lightly.
To learn more, visit http://www.stopbullying.gov/
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