- Dicky Eklund
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Dicky Eklund 
Eklund in 2010.Statistics Real name Richard Eklund Nickname(s) Dicky
The Pride of LowellRated at Welterweight
Light WelterweightHeight 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) Reach 70 in (178 cm) Nationality 
AmericanBorn May 9, 1957
Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S.Stance Orthodox Boxing record Total fights 29 Wins 19 Wins by KO 4 Losses 10 Draws 0 No contests 0 Richard "Dicky" Eklund (born May 9, 1957) is an American former professional boxer in the Welterweight division. A former New England Welterweight Champion,[1] Eklund was known as "The Pride of Lowell". He is the half-brother and former trainer of former WBU World Champion Micky Ward.[2] The 2010 biopic The Fighter is based on the two brothers' fall and rise to the boxing title.
Contents
Career
Eklund's most notable fight was on July 18, 1978, against Sugar Ray Leonard at the Hynes Memorial Auditorium in Boston, Massachusetts. He went the distance against Leonard, who eventually won the fight by unanimous decision. During the fight, Eklund was knocked down twice. In the ninth round, the fighters got wrapped up and Leonard fell down, which the referee classed as a trip rather than a knockdown. Eklund's fighting career spanned 10 years from 1975 to 1985, during which he compiled a professional career record of 19 wins, including four by knockout, and 10 losses.[3]
After Eklund's fighting career ended, he became the trainer of his half-brother, noted former boxer Micky Ward. Eklund was Ward's full-time trainer for 26 fights, from Ward's professional debut in 1985 until his first retirement in 1991. Three of Ward's post-retirement fights were voted fight of the year by The Ring. Eklund served as Ward's trainer until his second retirement, after his third fight with Arturo Gatti on June 7, 2003. Ward's biography, written by Bob Halloran and titled Irish Thunder: The Hard Life and Times of Micky Ward, discusses much of Eklund's life and career.
Eklund now works as a personal trainer and boxing coach in New England. He also travels the United States with Micky Ward, giving motivational speeches to college students.
Personal life
In the 1980s, Eklund became addicted to crack cocaine, effectively ending his fighting career in 1985. To support his habit, he turned to crime. Eklund was sentenced to 10-to-15 years in prison for breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony, kidnapping, masked armed robbery, and several other crimes; he was paroled in 1999.
Eklund has two sons, Dicky Jr. and Tommy, and a daughter, Kerry.
In film
HBO's America Undercover documented Eklund's life for a period of 18 months. The resulting 1995 documentary, High on Crack Street: Lost Lives in Lowell, followed Eklund and two other crack addicts in Lowell as their lives spiraled out of control. The documentary ends with Eklund being sentenced to prison.
Paramount Pictures' 2010 drama The Fighter chronicles the rise of Eklund's younger half-brother Micky Ward. Directed by David O. Russell, the film stars Christian Bale as Eklund and Mark Wahlberg as Ward. At the 2011 Screen Actors Guild Awards, Eklund made a surprise appearance on stage with Christian Bale as the latter accepted the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Eklund. Bale also won a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for his performance.[4]
Professional boxing record
19 Wins (4 knockouts), 10 Losses, 0 Draw Res. Record Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes Win 19-10-0 James LucasUD 10 (10) May 30, 1985 
Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland, MaineWin 18-10-0 James LucasUD 12 (12) October 15, 1983 Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland, MaineWon the New England Welterweight Championship Loss 17-10-0 Reggie MillerUD 10 (10) September 23, 1983 
Lake Charles, LouisianaMiller was undefeated (12-0) going in. Win 17-9-0 Terry CrawleyUD 10 (10) August 11, 1983 
Yarmouth, MassachusettsLoss 16-9-0 Robert SawyerUD 12 (12) September 16, 1982 
Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New JerseyFor the ESPN Welterweight Championship Win 16-8-0 Jeff PasseroUD 8 (8) July 31, 1982 Ballys Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New JerseyWin 15-8-0 
Cesar GuzmanUD 8 (8) July 14, 1982 Dorchester, MassachusettsLoss 14-8-0 Kevin HowardUD 10 (10) January 7, 1982 Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New JerseyLoss 14-7-0 
Chris ClarkeSD 10 (10) October 27, 1981 
Halifax Metro Center, Halifax, Nova Scotia, CanadaWin 14-6-0 Allen ClarkeKO 9 (0:15) August 25, 1981 Halifax Metro Center, Halifax, Nova Scotia, CanadaWin 13-6-0 C.J. FaisonKO 1 (2:58) February 10, 1981 
Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec, CanadaLoss 12-6-0 Fernando FernandezSD 10 (10) June 20, 1980 Boston, MassachusettsLoss 12-5-0 
Dave Boy GreenUD 10 (10) December 4, 1979 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, EnglandGreen was (32-2) going in. Win 12-4-0 Fernando FernandezUD 10 (10) August 18, 1979 Lowell, MassachusettsLoss 11-4-0 Sugar Ray LeonardUD 10 (10) July 18, 1978 Hynes Auditorium, Boston, MassachusettsLeonard was undefeated (12-0) going in. See also
- Notable boxing families
References
- ^ Graham, Bryan Armen (December 14, 2010). "Q&A with Christian Bale". SI.com. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/mma/boxing/12/10/christian.bale.the.fighter.interview/index.html. Retrieved January 28, 2011.
- ^ Johnson, O'Ryan (December 4, 2010). "Dicky Eklund spars with fame’s curse". BostonHerald.com. http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/other_sports/boxing/view/20101204dickie_eklund_spars_with_fames_curse_former_lowell_boxer_back_in_spotlight/. Retrieved January 28, 2011.
- ^ "BoxRec profile". Boxrec.com. http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=000344&cat=boxer. Retrieved January 28, 2011.
- ^ "Christian Bale wins Oscar for 'The Fighter'". MoneyControl.com. February 28, 2011. http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/entertainment/christian-bale-wins-oscar-for-the-fighter_526456.html. Retrieved February 28, 2011.
External links
Categories:- 1957 births
- Living people
- American boxers
- Boxers from Massachusetts
- People from Lowell, Massachusetts
- Welterweight boxers
- People self-identifying as substance abusers
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