14.02.06 – By Aaron King: Imagine that. “Thanks for a great career.” That’s what Joe Tessitore had to say to Scott Pemberton while he sat solemnly in his dressing room after being knocked out by Peter Manfredo Jr. Monday night.
How does a fighter work that through his thoughts? Clearly, he was talking about how he might improve, how he is a slow starter, and how he needs to improve that. He was looking to a future. Then … “Thanks for a great career.”
Scott’s face told the story. It was as if he couldn’t understand what Tessitore had just said. Thanks for a great career? He couldn’t say a word. His countenance said more than any amount of words could. “Was that really the end of my career?” he must have thought to himself. “Is that really how it ends?”
His gaping mouth showed the state of shock. Is it over? He probably went over what happened in his head, except, not like he did when the fight ended. Instead of seeing holes in Manfredo’s defense that he didn’t exploit, he saw himself fall to the canvas against a man who was a light puncher even at a division 14 pounds to the south. He realized that he didn’t miss the openings – he just couldn’t pull the trigger fast enough.
His eyes were glazed over with the sense of sadness that most losing fighters have. He had to have thought that the one thing he’s always had, his longest lasting love, was being sapped from him. Scott spent his whole career giving to the sport he loved. He certainly gave more of himself than what he received in return. And then, that?
What do you do when the one thing that has always been yours is gone? It’s difficult to see in your mind’s eye. But that was the thought being stuffed down Scott Pemberton’s throat by Joe Tessitore Monday night.
Who knows? Scott may come to thank Tessitore later when he’s healthy and is able to wake up next to his wife every morning.
But for now, just look at that face.
He wasn’t ready to hear that yet. He probably sat down disappointed, but ready to say what he did wrong and how to fix it. He admitted that he “got old,” but not that old. Right? Not so much so that it was over. But, maybe that is what it takes when everybody except you realizes what is painfully obvious.
“Thanks for a great career.” Imagine that.