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This sculpture is based upon a really classic black & white photo from a March 14, 1980 Golden Gloves championship bout in Madison Square Garden. In the photo, "Pops" Nestel, the trainer, leans close to his fighter, Mike Trepani, whispering words of advice after the first round, as Mike stares at his opponent across the ring.
The sculpture was commissioned by Pops' son, Phil, who originally had asked if I could make a smaller sculpture to go with Pops' funerary urn. After some discussion, we agreed upon a free-standing sculpture of somewhat larger size (each figure, if standing upright, would be about 10" tall), on a polished stone base. Once that decision was made, and following the contract signing and initial payment, I constructed wire armatures, built up to proper proportions and dimensions with #2 Roma plastilene. In fact, I went through about six "drafts" of these figures, emailing pictures to Phil each time, and modifying or altering the figures based upon Phil’s review of the pictures. With the intention of heightening the dramatic impact of the sculpture, and also following discussion, we employed some "poetic license" and departed from the photo by showing Pops in the act of gripping Mike's right arm with his own left hand, and demonstrating, with his other hand and arm, the kind of punch he wanted Mike to throw.
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