Let’s Get It On! (56 page)

Officiating a fight with my eldest son, Ron, at a Strikeforce event (January 2011)

It’s been a long journey since the beginning. I have many things I’m proud of and some things I wish I could change, but that’s exactly what life is all about. We have highs, and we have lows. I’ve told everyone over the last eighteen years that I’m a lucky man, and I couldn’t have had a more exciting or fulfilling life thus far.

The one thing I want everyone to remember in the end is that all the things I’ve shared with you in this book involved people who were brave enough to take a chance.

When I talk with people about certain fighters or other figures in the sport, I’m sometimes taken aback by statements that someone should have done something better or differently. I always remember that hindsight is twenty-twenty. You will always have a clearer picture of how something should have been done once you have the entire story, but that’s not the way life works.

Life is about experiences and family: at my daughter Brit’s graduation with Elaine, my father, and his wife, Sandra

I always give credit to the doers of this world, the people who took a chance and strove for greatness. Sometimes it’s a fighter, but many times it’s just the average person who simply believes and takes that first step toward something greater. Everyone has it inside of them; you just have to believe it.

For this book’s last call, I give you my favorite quote of all time. This is for everyone who’s taken a chance, faced both victory and defeat, and continued to move forward—because you will never know until you try.

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

—Theodore Roosevelt

I would like to acknowledge the following people:

Scott Massey, for being passionate and believing in a rock-head who thought he was smarter than you back then. You were a great coach, person, and friend, and I am sorry I didn’t say this to you when I should have.

Jeff Blatnick, who came into our sport with an open mind and was always willing to learn and help. You did much more than most people realize, and you will always be someone I respect and am proud to call my friend.

Chris and Denise, the best of what has come into the second part of my life. Chris, you can accomplish anything, and you have already proved it. Denise, thank you for being a savior. You are relied upon, and you come through every day.

Brian, Felicia, Mike, Majeed, Lou, and all my instructors. Thank you for making BJMUTA what it is, a special place with special people who work hard to make other people’s lives better.

—”Big” John McCarthy

The authors would also like to express our gratitude to Rose Gracie, the team at Medallion Press, including Adam Mock, Heather Musick, Paul Ohlson, Jim Tampa, Brigitte Shepard, and Michal Wlos, as well as Jen Wisnowski from Independent Publishers Group. A special thank-you goes to our editor Emily Steele, whose commitment and gentle touch were appreciated every step of the way. Thank you all for giving us the freedom to make our vision a reality.

And to our agent Margaret O’Connor, who found this book its perfect home and supported us through the process to the finish line.

John, thank you for your trust, patience, bravery and willingness to share history with the world.

For Joe Hall, Brian Knapp, and Mike Fridley, who made all the difference.

For my husband, Shane, my Irish saint. You are my one and only.

—Loretta Hunt

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