above: Booker coached Kam Flynn last February 3 at Mohegan Sun just hours before he stepped in the same ring to fight Greg Vendetti in the night’s marquee matchup.
When he’s not training for a marquee matchup or mentoring youth, Chordale Booker is developing fighters on the rise.
It is common for boxers to coach when their competitive days are done. One of the most widely acclaimed was Emanuel Steward, the “Godfather of Detroit Boxing,” who trained Thomas Hearns, Lennox Lewis and a deep stable of other well-known boxers.
Booker is still at the top of his game. Simultaneously, he is training his own legion of young fighters at Revolution Training. In June, Booker won by technical knockout after dropping Brian Chavez three times in just three rounds. Prior to the fight, Booker worked the corner for two fighters prior to stepping in the ring.
“It’s a pretty demanding schedule,” Booker says. “I was down there the whole time with them. I wasn’t able to take a midday nap like I usually do, and I didn’t fight until midnight. But it comes with the job. When I took on this responsibility as a trainer for them, that’s what I signed up for.”
Booker trains three fighters—Kameron Flynn, Gary Charles and Nate Jump—who have shown particular promise in their dedication and determination. Jump won Golden Gloves titles in New England and Western New England earlier this year. Middleweights Charles, a former Westhill High School football star, and Flynn have also been ascending through the ranks.
Having Booker in their corner has helped the up-and-coming fighters. He knows the challenges facing each of his boxers as they try to carve out their own careers.
“It can be tough,” Booker says. “But I know how bad I wanted it when I was in
their place. I know this means more to them than money or anything like that. I don’t do it for the money. They have the opportunity to be great. I want to be there to support them.”
Booker’s career is now going full throttle. His dual role as athlete and coach
is reminiscent of Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell, who served as a player/coach
for three years in the late 1960s. Other NBA players, however, weren’t regularly throwing fists at Russell.
“I’m loving the mentorship part of it,” Booker says. “Those three guys take it seriously; I can tell they are paying attention and they want it. It makes you want to do more for them. You get guys who say, ‘I want to be a champion, I want to work,’ but they put in the bare minimum effort. These guys are always working. A lot of times I have to tell Gary to go home. They’re always working, and when you get boxers who are dedicated,
I want to give them everything I have and share what I’ve learned with them.”