Farewell to Steve “Crocodile” Fitch and Tommy Smalls

Very sad to report the passing of two significant and memorable boxing men, namely Steve “Crocodile” Fitch and Tommy Smalls.

The entire World Boxing Council Family and its President Mauricio Sulaiman sent their deepest condolences to the families and friends of the two men, who served Boxing heart and soul.

Those who are familiar with the boxing world and its people, know of Steve and Tommy, appreciate the work they did and the impact they had. They are remembered.
Steve was known as The Motivator and was a member of many of Mike Tyson`s training camps. He also helped train Zab Judah. Invariably clad in combat fatigues topped off my dark glasses, he was a was a physically powerful and imposing man, who was known to lift Iron Mike off his feet with one arm, during joyous victory celebrations. Yet he had a gentler side, helping senior citizens with exercise and fitness in care homes and churches.

Tommy Summers who was known as Tommy Smalls, as he was a man for all seasons, was a trainer of Floyd Mayweather Jr, Zab Judah and guided a sixteen year old Devin Haney in the Roy Jones Jr Academy in Las Vegas. Knowledgeable, shrewd, intelligent and insightful, he was a boxing purist and a prof.

Both of these men were part of the teams which meticulously prepared champions for the ring. Boxing is one on one, but the build up to it is all to do with and about coaching involving teams and teamwork. When talking about their trade, so many boxers pointedly say we, rather than me.

Both Steve and Tommy were straightforward and tough. Uncompromising when necessary, accommodating only when practically expedient. Battle hardened from hard knocks and sagely seasoned by the years which transform into decades. Worldly wise Rocky Marciano once referred to this kerbstone toughness recalling he used to awaken with a start and almost immediately see the unshaven faces of Charley Goldman and Al Weill, scowling and ready to start work. Time to get down to business!

The Māori song Now Is The Hour our laments: “Soon you`ll be sailing, far across the sea.” Steve and Tommy have already embarked upon that final voyage of no return. French author Andre Gide so aptly wrote: “Man cannot discover new oceans, unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”